by BILL REESE

Is pro soccer headed toward a re-branding in the Research Triangle of North Carolina?

Empire of Soccer has learned that Carolina FC Limited—the parent company of the Carolina RailHawks of the North American Soccer League—has trademarked the name “AC Carolina,” perhaps signaling that the RailHawk name may soon go the way of the dodo.

This trademark filing comes on the heels of Carolina FC Limited filing a trademark last week for “Carolina Courage,” the name of a former WUSA franchise, perhaps signaling that the RailHawks organization may be nearing the launch of a women’s professional soccer franchise.

The name AC Carolina—a traditional European moniker in the style of Italian giants AC Milan—would fit in with the naming conventions of many fledgling American professional soccer clubs, particularly in Major League Soccer. Of course, the RailHawks play in the NASL, not MLS.

However, the state of the NASL could be described as uneasy at best, with some clubs leaving for MLS, and other clubs rumored to be departing the league for the third-tier USL. Additionally, MLS has committed to expanding the league to 28 teams. Incidentally, the Raleigh-Durham market—home to the Cary, NC-based RailHawks, ranks as the 25th largest TV market according to the 2016 Nielsen rankings.