October 15, 2026
P R E S S R E L E A S E
OKLAHOMA CITY (October 15, 2026) — The Women’s Premier Soccer League announced today the entry of Carolina Crew FC from WPSL Division II to the league’s top-flight for the 2027 WPSL season. With the announcement, Carolina Crew FC is the first WPSL Division II side to secure first division status for the league’s 29th season.
“Joining the WPSL’s first division is an exciting step for Carolina Crew FC,” Ashley Blake, founder, president, and co-owner said. “Our mission is to create meaningful opportunities for women to compete at a high level. This move supports our growth and our goal of becoming a fully professional club.”
Founded in 2024, the Fayetteville, N.C.-based club began competitive play in 2025, going a perfect 7-0-0 in the USPL Mid-Atlantic Conference before moving to the WPSL Division II in 2026.
“The WPSL’s first division will push us to raise our standards in preparation, recruitment, and player support,” Jay Burbee, Carolina Crew FC co-owner, general manager, and director of coaching, said. “We’re excited to build a competitive team that represents Fayetteville with pride, passion, purpose, and helps our athletes advance.”
As part of its mission of developing local players that will advance to higher levels of the game, Carolina Crew FC alumnae include McKenna West, the club’s leading scorer who signed professionally with Szekszárdi WFC in Hungary after leading the club in offensive output in 2025, Jordanian international goalkeeper, Sabrina Nassar, and the club’s first youth player to receive a college scholarship, Izzie Dalton Jimenez.
Since its founding, Carolina Crew FC has worked tirelessly within the Fayetteville community, supporting scholarships, mentorships, and community engagement through its nonprofit entity, Carolina Crew FC Incorporated, patterning with Kids United of Fayetteville, watch parties, and business partnerships and player appearances.
Carolina Crew FC enters the WPSL’s top-flight led by head coach Steven Barbour, assistant coaches Brittney Poole and Scott Phelps, and goalkeeper coach, Ryan Hensley. Barbour brings more than 20 years of local coaching experience. Poole and Phelps are both former collegiate players and coach youth and high school teams locally. The 2027 season will be Hensley’s second season as club goalkeeper coach.
The 29th WPSL season runs from mid-May through mid-July. Full national alignment will be announced at the WPSL Annual General Meeting in February. The full 2027 WPSL schedule will be announced in March.
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For more information about Carolina Crew FC, visit carolinacrewfc.com and keep up with club across its social channels on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and X.
For more information about the WPSL, visit WPSLsoccer.com.
