Notes & Quotes: NC Courage vs. Orlando Pride
May 10, 2025 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
North Carolina Courage News Release
CARY, N.C. - The North Carolina Courage are back at home this weekend, hosting the second-place Orlando Pride on Saturday, May 10, at 7:30 p.m. ET at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park.
The Courage enter the match on a two-match winning streak, knocking off the league-leading Kansas City Current at home to end April before carrying that momentum into a strong, 2-0, road win over the Utah Royals.
A tactical change to a 3-4-3 helped spark the Courage to both victories. Head Coach Sean Nahas said after the win over Kansas City that the formation change isn't a departure from the team's overall play style, with the shift helping to get the Courage's most dangerous players into their most advantageous position.
Ryan Williams, who scored and assisted against the Current, and Ashley Sanchez, who has now scored in back-to-back games, have been the most direct beneficiaries of the move, but multiple players have reaped the benefits, including Feli Rauch's unsung role on the "weak side" of the formation.
Maycee Bell has been excellent in the three-back as well, shutting down reigning league MVP Temwa Chawinga in the first half against the Courage and winning 100% of her attempted duels and tackles. Bell is just the 10th NWSL player since 2016 to win 100% of both with at least three tackles won and eight duels won.
On the other side of Saturday's battle, the reigning NWSL Shield Winners and Champions hit the ground running in their title defense, but have lost two of their last three matches. Matchday 7 of the season saw the Pride shut out by the Portland Thorns, who claimed a 1-0 victory behind Reyna Reyes' 16' goal.
Despite the recent losses, the Pride remain one of the most offensively dominant attacks in the league with an NWSL-leading 14 goals this season.
Both the Courage and Pride put together thrilling 3-2 comeback wins in Match Day 6, with the Pride overcoming a 2-0 second-half deficit against Angle City and the Courage scoring twice in stoppage time to down the Current.
Barbara Banda and Marta have led the way for the Pride with four and three goals, respectively, while Marta has also been pulling the creative strings with a team-leading 15 chances created..
Anna Moorhouse has been excellent in net for the Pride this season but had to be substituted in the 51' of the Pride's loss to the Thorns.
The Details
What they'll wear:
Courage - Field: Blue/Blue/Blue | GK: Lavender
Pride - Field: Orange/Orange/Orange | GK: Green
2025 Records:
Courage - 2W-3L-2D (9th, 8 points)
Pride - 5W-2L-0D (2nd, 15 points)
Courage vs. Pride (Regular Season): 10W-6L-2D
Last time out:
Courage - Win, 2-0 at Utah Royals
Pride - Loss, 1-0 at Portland Thorns
Up next:
The Courage are back at home for a second weekend in a row, taking on the Chicago Stars on Saturday, May 17, at 5 p.m. ET. Tickets for that match are available.
National Women's Soccer League Stories from May 10, 2025
- Late Drama Sees Portland Thorns FC Rescue a Point in 1-1 Draw at San Diego Wave FC - Portland Thorns FC
- San Diego Wave FC Draws 1-1 with Portland Thorns at Snapdragon Stadium - San Diego Wave FC
- San Diego Wave FC Draws 1-1 with Portland Thorns at Snapdragon Stadium - San Diego Wave FC
- Orlando Pride Rescues Point with Late Goal in 1-1 Draw Against North Carolina Courage - Orlando Pride
- Courage draw Orlando in front of sellout crowd - North Carolina Courage
- Houston Dash Head West to Face Seattle Reign FC - Houston Dash
- Spirit Returns to Winning Ways with Fourth Straight Road Victory - Washington Spirit
- Chicago Stars FC Falls, 2-3, with Late Washington Spirit Goal - Chicago Stars FC
- Notes & Quotes: NC Courage vs. Orlando Pride - North Carolina Courage
- Kansas City Current Seek to Bounce Back at Home against Bay FC - Kansas City Current
- Houston Dash Head West to Face Seattle Reign FC - Houston Dash
- Preview: San Diego Wave FC vs. Portland Thorns FC - San Diego Wave FC
- Tune In: Orlando Pride at North Carolina Courage on ION - Orlando Pride
- What to Watch For, Powered by Verizon, as the Orlando Pride Take on the North Carolina Courage on the Road - Orlando Pride
- Utah Royals FC Defeated, 2-0, on the Road at Angel City FC - Utah Royals FC
- Utah Royals FC Defeated 2-0 on the Road at Angel City FC - Utah Royals FC
- Angel City Football Club Earns Three Points in 2-0 Shutout Against Utah Royals FC - Angel City FC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
