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NWSL North Carolina Courage

NC Courage Travel to Portland Thorns in a Highly-Anticipated Matchup Televised on ESPNEWS

August 9, 2019 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
North Carolina Courage News Release


Cary, N.C. - The first-place North Carolina Courage (8W-3L-4D) travel to Portland, Oregon this weekend to play the second-place Portland Thorns FC in Providence Park. The matchup between the top two teams in the NWSL will take place on Sunday, August 11 at 3 p.m. ET. and will be televised on ESPNEWS.

The two teams last met on June 15 in a match that ended in a draw after an equalizing goal from NC Courage forward Julia Spetsmark in the 59th minute. The match was the first time the two teams had met since the 2018 NWSL Championship, but both teams were missing many of their players due to the FIFA Women's World Cup.

Most recently, the North Carolina Courage defeated the Washington Spirit 1-0 in a match that was postponed to the next day due to severe weather. Debinha scored the game's lone goal in the 64th minute thanks to an assist by Spetsmark. Jaelene Hinkle sent a long cross into Spetsmark who headed it to the left foot of the streaking Debinha.

The goal was Debinha's fourth of the season and the Courage's 30th goal scored in 2019. Heading into Sunday's match, the Courage lead the league in goal differential having scored 30 and only letting up 15.

Hinkle, Lynn Williams, and Merritt Mathias are tied for first place in the NWSL in assists. Each has four on the season. Debinha and Kristen Hamilton are tied for second with three assists each. Hamilton also sits in second place in the NWSL in goals scored with eight goals so far in 2019.

Portland Thorns FC most recently played a mid-week game against Reign FC on Wednesday, August 7 where they fell 1-0. The Thorns were unable to answer after Reign FC's Rosie White scored in the 55th minute.

Up Next: The North Carolina Courage will host the second-ever Women's International Champions Cup on August 15 and 18 at Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. The team will then return to league play on Saturday, August 24 when they host Reign FC.

Players to Watch:

North Carolina Courage- #11 Merritt Mathias

Mathias is one of three NC Courage players that has started all 15 games so far this season. She has played every minute of all 15 games for a total of 1350 minutes. She has four assists so far in 2019 and has taken 17 shots.

Portland Thorns FC- #25 Meghan Kligenberg

Kligenberg has been a constant for the Thorns this season starting and playing in all 16 games. Klingenberg's tackle success rate is very high at 80%. She has made 21 clearances and 19 blocks.

Check out the North Carolina Courage Statistics



National Women's Soccer League Stories from August 9, 2019


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