North Wake News

The North Carolina Courage has announced that Jessica McDonald will be inducted into the Courage Ring of Honor as its second member. The induction ceremony is scheduled for March 22, following the team's home opener at First Horizon Stadium, WakeMed Soccer Park.

McDonald is known for her advocacy in women's sports, focusing on mentorship and promoting diversity and inclusion in soccer. She supports initiatives for young athletes and shares her experiences balancing motherhood with a professional soccer career. Her contributions both on and off the field make her a fitting choice for this honor.

McDonald's professional soccer career began in 2010. She played significant roles with several NWSL teams, most notably the Courage, helping them secure five league trophies between 2017 and 2021. This includes three NWSL Shields and two Championships. During her time with the Courage, she made 84 appearances and scored 24 goals. In 2016, she also netted ten goals in twenty matches with the Western New York Flash before relocating to North Carolina with the franchise in 2017.

Internationally, McDonald earned four goals across nineteen caps with the U.S. Women's National Team from 2016 to 2020, including being part of the victorious squad at the 2019 World Cup. She was notably recognized as the first mother on a U.S. World Cup-winning roster in nearly two decades.

Jessica McDonald's career is marked by championship wins and dedication to advancing women's soccer. Her induction into the Courage Ring of Honor cements her legacy within the sport.

The Courage Ring of Honor was established in 2024 to recognize key members of their organization. Sam Mewis was its first inductee and will attend this year's celebration on March 22.

The ceremony follows a match against Seattle Reign FC starting at 7 p.m. ET, requiring attendees to purchase tickets to gain entry. Fans can meet McDonald during FanFest at 5:30 p.m., where she will sign autographs.