Wilmington Hammerheads

The Wilmington Hammerheads are a minor-league professional soccer team, formed in 1996 by current New Hanover High School soccer coach Al Pastore. The team plays in the American Division of the USL, in the second tier of pro soccer in the United States.
The Hammerheads made the playoffs eight consecutive seasons from 1998 to 2005 and won a regular-season championship in 2009.
The team did not compete in the 2010 season after the USL decided to terminate the contract of the Wilmington franchise because of financial disputes between owner Chuck Sullivan and the league. However, on Nov. 9, 2010, former co-owner Bill Rudisill announced that he and a group of three others would restart the franchise for the 2011 season. New Jersey businessman George Altirs purchased a majority share of the team in September 2013.
The team plays in the same division as regional rivals Charleston (S.C.), Charlotte, Orlando and Richmond (Va.). All home games are played at Legion Stadium.
The Hammerheads have had success on a national level in the past, winning its league championship in 2003 and defeating MLS franchises in the 2003 and 2009 US Open Cup.

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Recent Articles About Wilmington Hammerheads

Hammerheads Youth celebrates with U.S. Women's National team member
Published February 26, 2016
Heather O'Reilly, a stalwart for the United States' Women's National Team and a UNC alumna, spoke at the club's second annual fundraiser luncheon
Hammerheads will lean on Liam Miller's long line of experience
Published February 24, 2016
15-year career overseas gives Irish midfielder good perspective.
Youth/rec notebook - Wilmington Christian Academy's Taylor wins inaugural tournament
Published February 22, 2016
Wilmington Christian Academy senior Blake Taylor earned a wire-to-wire victory at the inaugural Dustin Johnson World Junior Golf Championship.
Wilmington Hammerheads add Irish national Liam Miller to roster
Published February 18, 2016
The Wilmington Hammerheads added some star power to their roster, announcing former Manchester United player Liam Miller has joined the club
Hammerheads hit field with new optimism, faces
Published February 15, 2016
The Wilmington Hammerheads opened the 2016 season with their first official practice Monday at Legion Stadium.The team will play its first game March 26 at USL expansion team Orlando City B. Before then, however, it has a preseason...
Hammerheads schedule out for 2016
Published January 26, 2016
The 30-game schedule for the 2016 USL season is out, with the Wilmington Hammerheads opening on the road March 26.
Closed athletic fields force teams to practice elsewhere
Published January 13, 2016
New Hanover County athletic fields are being given a reprieve before the sports-heavy spring rolls in.
Money Talks: New Hanover County athletic upgrades aren't cut and dry
Published January 9, 2016
Major projects to improve facilities all come from different pots of money, making the projects important, but not equal in some eyes
UNCW returns to glory; Hammerheads hit rock bottom
Published December 29, 2015
UNCW made it to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2006, while the Hammerheads turned in league-worst numbers
12 To Watch - Crabbe strives for impact
Published December 22, 2015
Kim Crabbe is the first African-American to play for the U.S. women's national team
New Hanover continues quest for youth sports space
Published November 28, 2015
New soccer facility, Castle Hayne Park are small steps in right direction to help address shortage of space for local youth sports
Beach soccer tournament could net $2 million for county
Published November 20, 2015
More than 130 youth soccer teams from three states will descend upon Wilmington this weekend
Briggs finding right advice to lead Hammerheads
Published November 18, 2015
Mark Briggs, recently appointed to lead the Wilmington Hammerheads, will spend time in England getting a behind-the-scenes look at Walsall FC.
Bigger league, bigger goals for Hammerheads
Published November 14, 2015
Five years after their revival, Wilmington's pro soccer team knows work is just getting started
Vince Nairn - USL process made believers, including me
Published November 14, 2015
Two years on soccer beat has been front row seat to league's amazing rise
New Wilmington Hammerheads coach named
Published October 20, 2015
Mark Briggs, a former team MVP on the field and assistant with the Wilmington Hammerheads this season, has been promoted to head coach
Former Hammerhead players return to Wilmington in regular season finale
Published September 21, 2015
Quillan Roberts, Jordan Hamilton and Manny Aparicio returned to Legion Stadium as visitors for the first time Saturday.
Hammerheads' season closes with familiar end
Published September 19, 2015
The Wilmington Hammerheads' final game of the season was more about saying hello and goodbye.
Despite tough week, Hammerheads seem comfortable as season draws to a close
Published September 18, 2015
The Hammers, guaranteed to finish with the worst record in the 24-team United Soccer League, host Toronto in Saturday's season finale.
Hammerheads equipment manager brings more to the field than gear
Published September 18, 2015
Charlie Aldridge was born a few hundred feet from Legion Stadium.
Hammerheads' coach: 'I walk away without any regrets'
Published September 17, 2015
Coach Carson Porter was unable to live up to expectations after taking team to playoff berth last season.
Porter out as head coach of Hammerheads
Published September 16, 2015
Porter will complete this season on the sideline, leading the team in Saturday's season finale at Legion Stadium.
Hammers' lead dissolves in second half
Published September 13, 2015
Draw with Riverhounds lands Wilmington at the bottom of the USL
Hammerheads have plenty of questions after season of struggle
Published September 11, 2015
As season of futility nears end, team has slew of concerns to address for the future
Hammers Hindsight
Published September 10, 2015
Recent Wilmington Hammerheads addition Zev Taublieb joins Vince Nairn to talk about adjusting to the team as a newcomer and demonstrate his passing.