Malia Berkely and Narumi Earn NWSL Best XI of July, Presented by Mastercard

August 2, 2023 - United Soccer League One (USL1)
North Carolina FC News Release

CARY, N.C. - The North Carolina Courage have placed two players on the NWSL Best XI of the Month, presented by Mastercard, for the month of July, as selected by the NWSL Media Association and the NWSL's on-air broadcast talent and announced by the league office on Wednesday. Defender Malia Berkely and midfielder Narumi have both earned the monthly honors for the first time in their respective careers.

Berkely played in every minute of action on the Courage backline in July and scored the first goal of her 2023 campaign in the club's 5-0 win over the Orlando Pride on July 29. As a staple at center back, she helped the Courage defense pitch three clean sheets in four matches in July. For the season, Berkely is passing with 89.5% accuracy and her tackle success is 62.5% in league matches while passing at 89.8% and tackling at 55.6% in Challenge Cup play.

Narumi scored her first career NWSL goal with the sixth and final tally in North Carolina's 6-0 shutout of the Washington Spirit on July 22. Her goal helped set a new Challenge Cup record for goals scored in a three-game span, which the Courage now own with 13 tallies. Narumi is passing above 87% and tackling at 60% for the Challenge Cup this season.

The Courage can clinch the East Division with at least a point this weekend when they visit Gotham FC. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at Red Bull Arena and the match will stream live on Paramount+ in the United States and on www.nwslsoccer.com internationally.

Malia Berkely (right) and Narumi of the North Carolina Courage (Laura Wolff / NWSL)

United Soccer League One Stories from August 2, 2023

• Lexington Sporting Club Suffers 2-0 Defeat During Midweek Match at Union Omaha - Lexington Sporting Club
• Malia Berkely and Narumi Earn NWSL Best XI of July, Presented by Mastercard - North Carolina FC
• D.P. Dough Coming to Future Legends Retail Center in 2024 - Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC

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