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NWSL North Carolina Courage

NC Courage Preview at Angel City FC (July 9)

July 8, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
North Carolina Courage News Release


LOS ANGELES - The North Carolina Courage ride four straight league wins into the final regular season match before the international break, visiting Angel City FC on Sunday, July 9, at 8:00 p.m. ET (5 PT) at BMO Stadium. On the back of four consecutive clean sheet victories, the Courage have catapulted into the top spot in the NWSL table entering the weekend.

The latest win, 1-0 over the Houston Dash last Saturday at WakeMed Soccer Park, was an impressive display of depth and commitment by the entire roster. Despite missing six of the top 12 players in minutes played due to international duty - and a seventh due to injury - the Courage stayed true to their style and again got a winner from Tyler Lussi on an incredible goal made possible by an even more incredible set up from Kiki Pickett.

A retooled midfield still dictated tempo and pace and combined with the back line to allow just one shot on goal, which was handled with ease by Katelyn Rowland, as the Courage extended their streak to 442 minutes without conceding. The longest such stretch in the NWSL this season and third-longest in club history.

The Courage continue to build upon the identity that has been growing since preseason camp. The club continues to lead the NWSL in passing accuracy (81.48%), successful passes (5,813), and possession (59.7%). The team's 5,813 successful passes are over 1,000 more than any other club (Portland - 4,805) and the Courage have surpassed 80% passing accuracy five straight times and 10 times overall in 14 matches.

Lussi may be the quintessential example of the 2023 Courage. Acquired in an off-season trade, Lussi needed some persuasion to embrace a third club in as many seasons. Her effort and buy in grew exponentially during camp, and she quickly became a leader on the field. Her role has fluctuated throughout the season, but during this incredible stretch of just one loss in the last 12 overall competitions, Lussi has four goals - all of which have been match-winners - and she continues to improve week by week, regardless of minutes or role.

It's that selflessness and team-first mindset that has served as the foundation for the impressive form the Courage find themselves. Now, Lussi takes her play back to Los Angeles, facing the team that traded her this past off-season, with confidence and a chip on her shoulder; a scary combination that should have Courage Country excited to see what No Sleeves FC does next.

The Matchup

The Courage are 1-1-1 lifetime against Angel City FC. The teams split their meetings in 2022, with the home side winning both matches. The teams played to a scoreless draw in the first meeting of 2023 back on May 20 at WakeMed Soccer Park. That has been the only scoreless draw of the season so far for the Courage, and the same was true for Angel City until back-to-back leading into this weekend's matchup.

Scouting Angel City

Angel City has shown propensity to be offense-minded, in the top third of the league in big chances created and middle-of-the-pack in shots. But, like the Courage earlier this season, they are searching for the finishing touch. Only Chicago has fewer shots on target and the Halos sit in the bottom third of the league in goals scored while conceding the third-highest total in the league. A recipe that has them second-to-last in the standings amid a mid-season coaching change.

Under new direction, the defense has steadied. On the heels of two consecutive scoreless draws, Angel City is unbeaten in three straight matches, allowing just one goal in that stretch. That's a stark contrast from the eight goals conceded in the three matches prior.

The offense has been varied for Angel City, with nine different players finding the back of the net this season and four with multiple goals. Claire Emslie and 2023 first-overall draft pick Alyssa Thompson each lead the way with three goals while Emslie also leads the team with three assists. M.A. Vignola, who was named to the NWSL Best XI of June, had a pair of goals last month to get on the score sheet.

Sunday is the final league matchup until late August as the regular season breaks for the Women's World Cup, so both Angel City and the Courage are looking to extend unbeaten streaks into the lengthy break, which will feature UKG Challenge Cup action along the way. The Courage played the very first match of the regular season back on March 25 and will play the final fixture of the first portion of the regular season, looking to bookend the stretch with results and hold onto their top spot in the league.

Check out the North Carolina Courage Statistics

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