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North Carolina Courage to Host 2019 Women's International Champions Cup August 15-18

March 29, 2019 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
North Carolina Courage News Release


CARY, N.C - The North Carolina Courage will host the 2019 edition of the Women's International Champions Cup (ICC) August 15-18 at Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park, Relevent Sports Group (RSG) announced today. The Courage enter the tournament as defending ICC champions with La Liga Iberdrola's 2018 champion Club Atlético de Madrid Femenino, 2018 UEFA Champions League semi-finalist and 2018 FA Women's Super League runner-up Manchester City and five-time UEFA Champions League champion Olympique Lyonnais Féminin of the French D1 Féminine also joining the tournament.

"We are honored to host the 2019 Women's International Champions Cup," said NC Courage President and General Manager Curt Johnson. "WakeMed Soccer Park has a proven track record when hosting international events including last year's Women's World Cup qualifying tournament. This will be a great event with dozens of international stars returning from the World Cup. It will be a moment in time when all eyes of women's soccer will be upon us, and the Courage will be able to measure up against some of the best women's soccer clubs in the world."

The format of the tournament will be similar to the 2018 edition with semifinal matches on Thursday, August 15, and third place and final matches to take place on Sunday, August 18.

"The inaugural Women's ICC exceeded everyone's expectations, with a thrilling 1-0 victory by the North Carolina Courage," said RSG Executive Chairman and Co-founder Charlie Stillitano. "As we get closer to kicking off this year's tournament, I can guarantee there will be a buzz about whether North Carolina will repeat, or if one of the European clubs will capture the trophy."

Club Atlético de Madrid enters the tournament as the 2018 champion of La Liga Iberdrola and is on its way to repeat for the third consecutive time. The club is led by Jennifer Hermoso who has scored 21 goals so far this season. Brazilian rising star Ludmila has also contributed to the club's prolific offense, while Spanish goalkeeper Lola Gallardo anchors a defense that has only conceded 17 goals in 25 games this year.

Currently sitting in second place in England's Women's Super League standings, Manchester City WFC boasts a roster full of England National Team players. They are led up top by English duo Nikita Parris and Georgia Stanway who have combined for 39 of the 49 goals scored by the team this season. The club will be participating in the tournament for the second time, after finishing third in last year's ICC.

Arguably one of the most decorated women's soccer clubs in the world, Olympique Lyonnais returns to the tournament for a second time and boasts a record-setting 16 French titles and six French Cup trophies in addition to the aforementioned five UEFA Champions League titles. Their roster is comprised of a who's who of European Soccer, including inaugural Ballon d'Or recipient Ada Hegerberg, who leads the team with 18 goals scored this season. The side also includes former Portland Thorns midfielder Amandine Henry, former UNC defender Lucy Bronze as well as French star Eugenie Le Sommer.

The Courage will certainly have a target on their back when entering the tournament. The 2018 NWSL Champions won the inaugural tournament in 2018 by defeating Olympique Lyonnais 1-0 last July in Miami, behind a goal by Heather O'Reilly. Head coach Paul Riley retained the majority of the championship team, including USWNT stalwarts Crystal Dunn, Abby Dahlkemper, Samantha Mewis and McCall Zerboni while adding key pieces to the squad, including Canadian goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé.

"The ICC Tournament is the premier display of international club football and has been for years," said NC Courage midfielder Heather O'Reilly. "Last year was the first women's edition and it was tremendous to be able to take part in it. It shows growth of the women's game and gives an opportunity for club football to be supported the way that national teams are. Visibility is key, and the ICC is fantastic for player and club visibility. It is also just straight up entertaining - seeing the best of Europe and the best of the US face off."

Women's ICC matches will be broadcast on ESPN. Tickets will be available later this spring on the ICC website. Please follow @WomensICC on Instagram and Twitter as well as @NCCourage.com for ticket sales announcements.

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