Maycee Bell Signs Multi Year Extension, Stays with NC Courage

The North Carolina Courage and defender Maycee Bell finalized a multi year contract extension on December 9, 2025, that will keep Bell with the club through the 2028 NWSL season. Bell, a former University of North Carolina standout, joined the Courage via trade in 2024 and emerged as a regular starter during the 2025 campaign, an evolution club leaders pointed to as reason for the longer commitment.

Club officials praised Bell's growth, consistency and fit with the team's culture as central factors in the decision to extend her contract. Team statements noted that Bell's increased playing time in 2025 reflected steady development, tactical adaptability and a dependable presence in the back line. Bell thanked the club and said she was excited to continue her development in North Carolina, a move that preserves a local connection between the Courage and the Tar Heel pipeline.

For Wake County supporters the deal matters in several ways. Keeping a recognizable player who played her collegiate soccer in state helps maintain fan interest and continuity in a defensive group that became more stable over the most recent season. From a club operations perspective, multi season roster certainty can aid in season ticket sales planning, community outreach initiatives and local sponsorship relationships by offering a consistent identity around which to market future campaigns.

The extension also underscores a broader trend in the NWSL where teams invest in younger players with regional ties to deepen local fan engagement and to manage roster-building costs over multiple seasons. For youth players in Wake County and surrounding communities, Bell's path from UNC to a sustained professional role with the Courage presents a visible development route.

With the agreement now in place, the Courage head into the off season with a clearer defensive foundation and a public affirmation of their commitment to homegrown talent. Bell's continued presence through the 2028 season gives coaches and fans several years to watch her further refine her game and to measure the long term impact of this investment on the club and on Wake County soccer programs.