While the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets and Carolina Hurricanes get ready to start their seasons, another pro team in the top division of their sport is making an unprecedented run.

Just in case you’ve been living under a rock the last two years… Over in Cary, the North Carolina Courage (who play in the National Women’s Soccer League) are dominating the women’s soccer landscape in this country.

Today, just in time for their last regular season game and the NWSL Playoffs, I’m going to tell you why you need to be paying attention to this incredible team.

1. International stars

Unlike the men’s game, women’s players across the world see the United States as the desired destination for professional soccer. Certainly the U.S. Women’s National Team has played a major factor in the development of the women’s game stateside.

As a result of this positioning, the Courage field not only U.S. national team players, but also top stars from other national teams. In the most recent round of international call-ups, eight Courage players join their country’s teams: Denise O’Sullivan (Ireland), Sabrina D’Angelo (Canada), Debinha (Brazil), Darian Jenkins (U.S. U-23), and Crystal Dunn, Samantha Mewis, Abby Dahlkemper and McCall Zerboni (U.S. senior team).

Some of the best players in the world are playing right here in our backyard.

2. Hardware

The Courage collected their first set of hardware this season in the brand-new Women’s International Champions Cup. The Courage won the inaugural tournament that also featured the women’s teams from Paris Saint-Germain, Lyon and Manchester City.

They also snagged the NWSL Shield (regular season championship) and hope to bring the first league championship back to Cary in the playoffs.

3. League domination

The Courage have won the NWSL Shield in both of their first two seasons in North Carolina. Heading into the regular season finale this weekend, the Courage sit at 54 points and have a +31 goal differential. The second-place Seattle Reign are at 41 points and a +10 goal differential.

Lynn Williams is in second place in the Golden Boot race with 12 goals, leads the league in shots (88) and is second in shots on goal (39). Jessica McDonald is tied for second in the league in assists (6).

As a team, the Courage lead the league in goals (48), assists (35), shots (361) and shots on goal (168). They are near the bottom of the league in yellow cards with 19 and have no red cards on the season. This team is a juggernaut.

4. A Carolina champion?

The Courage made it all the way to the NWSL Championship game last season but fell just short of taking home the trophy. In year two, they are poised to make another final game and are the odds-on favorites to take it all this year.

Why is that a big deal, even to your average American sports fan?

Because only one other current Carolina pro team has won a top-tier league title. The Panthers have been to the Super Bowl twice, in 2003 and 2015, but have never won. The Charlotte Hornets have never won a conference or league championship. The Hurricanes have won two conference titles and played in two Stanley Cups, winning it all in 2006.

The run that the Courage are on is unprecedented. They are already, arguably, the most successful top-level team in the Carolinas, and a championship this year would end all arguments.

The North Carolina Courage are the team we all need. Let’s unite around #OneCarolina, around the #Courage, and hopefully celebrate a trophy here in the Carolinas.