NWSL North Carolina Courage

NC Courage Preview: at Chicago June 10

June 9, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
North Carolina Courage News Release


BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - The North Carolina Courage look to bounce back as they visit the Chicago Red Stars on Saturday, June 10, at SeatGeek Stadium with kickoff set for 8:00 p.m. ET (7:00 CT). The match will be the first to air on new regional broadcast partner Bally Sports South and also stream nationally on Paramount+.

North Carolina had a five-match unbeaten streak snapped last Saturday in a 1-0 loss at Kansas City. After a slow start offensively, the Courage rattled off seven shots across the last ten minutes of regulation and stoppage time in search of an equalizer and had several good chances but could not convert. Despite the minor setback, the Courage continue to impress and show tremendous progress with their unique style. The team continues to lead the league in possession statistics while the late flurry last week showed the fight and belief this team has in themselves.

The Match-Up

The Courage are 7-6-4 lifetime against the Chicago Red Stars in all competitions, including 3-6-4 in regular season meetings. The Courage are unbeaten in three straight meetings against the Red Stars, not having lost to Chicago since June 5, 2021. This is the last team the Courage face in 2023, having played Orlando in Challenge Cup action.

Scouting the Red Stars

Despite being near the bottom of the table, the Red Stars may be finding their form as the calendar flips to June. They got a brace from second year forward Ava Cook in a road win over Angel City on Monday for the team's second straight win after just one victory in their first eight matches and the first time Chicago has scored multiple goals in a match since April 22. Since the injury to Mallory Swanson, the Red Stars have been searching for solutions up top and it appears they are starting to put things together.

Cook and fellow young forwards Penelope Hocking and Allison Schlegel, as well as veteran Yuki Nagasato, lead the offense that ranks fourth in the NWSL in goals. Defensively, despite the best efforts of U.S. Women's National Team keeper Alyssa Naeher's 40 saves, the club has conceded 23 goals but just one over their last two matches. An organization that has undergone mass changes over the off-season both on and off the field, the Red Stars are finding themselves and their recent form proves the depth of the NWSL talent from top to bottom.

Players to Watch

North Carolina Courage - #28 Tess Boade

Boade made her way back onto the field last week, coming in for the final 10 minutes in Kansas City. She provided instant energy and leadership along the front line, rattling off a couple shots and creating dangerous opportunities. Boade, a five-year standout at Duke, injured her shoulder while on loan in Australia this past off-season. Her temperament and work ethic during rehab was infectious and her dedication to mental preparation allowed her to hit the ground running once cleared for action. She'll continue to grow into the rotation and make an impact as her second professional season progresses.

Chicago Red Stars -- #55 Penelope Hocking

The rookie scored a brace in the club's 4-2 win against Kansas City back on April 15. While those are her only two goals thus far, she has not been shy in the attack. She rattled off eight shots against Louisville a few weeks ago and her 16 total shots this season lead the club. The 23-year-old played four collegiate seasons with USC before using a COVID fifth year with Penn State in 2022, scoring seven goals and providing 11 assists to help the Nittany Lions to a B1G Tournament championship and deep NCAA run. She was drafted seventh overall by the Red Stars in the 2023 NWSL Draft.

Next Up

The Courage wrap up their four-match road trip with midweek UKG Challenge Cup action as they visit the Washington Spirit at Audi Field on Wednesday, June 14. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET and the match will stream live on Paramount+.

Check out the North Carolina Courage Statistics



National Women's Soccer League Stories from June 9, 2023


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