Charlotte’s new professional women’s soccer team names head coach

Driving the news: United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) assistant coach Philip Poole has been named head coach of Super League Carolina, which kicks off its inaugural season this August. American Legion Memorial Stadium in Elizabeth will be the team’s home.

• Poole will join Super League Carolina following after the SheBelieves Cup in April.

Why it matters: Super League Carolina, as the team is currently known, will be the first top-tier professional women’s soccer team in Charlotte.

Catch up quick: United Soccer League Super League, a new professional women’s league, was announced in May 2023. The new league tapped markets like Charlotte and Tampa Bay, which both have existing USL ties on the men’s side.

• Super League Carolina is led by the same ownership as the Charlotte Independence, which also plays at Memorial Stadium.

Context: Poole, a native of Newcastle, England, is familiar with Charlotte. He served as an assistant coach with the Independence and the Charlotte Eagles.

• He moved to the United States in 2000 to play college soccer at Wingate. He later held various coaching roles with Wingate University, Wake Forest and the Charlotte 49ers.
• He was also executive director of the Lake Norman Soccer Club and the elite girls’ director at Charlotte Soccer Academy.

What they’re saying: “To support our players, we’re going to bring in a top-tier technical staff, develop a robust athlete care program and create a community of passionate women’s soccer fans across the Carolinas,” Poole said in a statement.

• “Philip has all the qualities and the perspective that will make him a great head coach for our team now and in the years to come,” Super League Carolina managing partner Jim McPhilliamy said.

What’s next: Expect the official team name, uniform, players and schedule to be announced in the coming months.