NWSL News- North Carolina Courage To Honor Sam Mewis With a ‘First-Ever’ Induction During Their 2024 Season Opener

It is an exciting time for soccer fans, as the NWSL 2024 season will kick off in under a month. And the two-time champions, North Carolina Courage, who will kick off their campaign on the opening day, have decided to show a noble gesture towards their former midfielder Sam Mewis after her retirement recently.

The 31-year-old USWNT star has been a prolific member of the club since its inception. But Mewis, with her injury troubles, had to move out of North Carolina in 2020 after going to Manchester City for a year. However, despite not retiring with them, Courage is still recognizing her as the pillar of the club’s successful journey.

Sam Mewis to be felicitated on the opening day of NWSL

Even though the club was established in 2017, it has decided to start its own Hall of Fame-like program called the ‘Ring of Honor.’ According to reports, Mewis will be the first player from the club to be inducted into it. She was initially part of the Western New York Flash, which was sold to North Carolina FC, transforming into the current franchisee.

It was a moment of excitement for the club to see one of their icons back. According to the head coach, Sean Nahas, it will be a well-deserved award for the former USWNT player. Nahas stated, “Honoring Sammy in the proper manner means everything.” “She is the foundation of this club and has helped to bring so many great memories into our history.” The player also felt honored by the gesture.

Responding to the announcement, Mewis said, “I’m so excited to come to North Carolina to celebrate the team’s home opener and see the fans who I remember so fondly. Thank you to everyone at the Courage for this amazing opportunity to celebrate my career with the club that has already given me so much.” Her stats also show why she is being lauded much.

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Playing 69 games for the franchisee, Sam Mewis scored 15 goals and provided 9 assists and is placed 7th in the club’s list of most contributors to goals in the NWSL. She was one of the 2017 NWSL MVP finalists and was also part of the league’s best eleven in 2017 for scoring six goals and three assists, leading the club to victory. Sam also won U.S. Soccer Female POTY in 2020 and was chosen as the world’s best women’s soccer player in 2022 by ESPN.

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The player also had an impressive career for the USWNT, helping them win the 2019 World Cup by scoring two goals and providing three assists. Her moment of honor came when she assisted a goal in the finals against the Netherlands. However, recurrent issues with her knee forced her to take retirement. But the former player will now feature on The Women’s Game podcast as the editor-in-chief.