Preview: NC Courage at Racing Louisville
September 21, 2024 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
North Carolina Courage News Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The North Carolina Courage open a two-match road swing as they visit Racing Louisville FC on Saturday, September 21, for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff at Lynn Family Stadium. The match will air live on ION with JP Dellacamera and Jill Loyden on the call.
North Carolina is coming off a 1-1 home draw with Bay FC last weekend, marking a seventh unbeaten out of the previous eight played. The Courage are 10-2-8 on the year for 32 points, entering the weekend solidly in fifth place in the standings. There are no playoff-clinching scenarios for North Carolina this weekend, but three points would be huge as they look to keep pace in the race for a top-four seed that would bring a home playoff match.
Ashley Sanchez scored the equalizer for the Courage on Friday, making history as the first player with goals against all 14 teams across the NWSL. It was her team-leading fifth goal of this season and helped push the Courage home unbeaten run to 19 straight contests. As Sanchez continues to impress in her first season in the Triangle, the highly anticipated combination of her and reigning NWSL MVP Kerolin Nicoli could take this offense to the next level. That pairing is nearing its debut.
The Courage will be without captain Denise O'Sullivan on Saturday as she picked up her fifth yellow card of the season last week to force a one-match suspension. Midfield depth has been a strength of this team all season, though, and likely replacement Dani Weatherholt would hit her 150th regular season match for her career with an appearance. Read more on Weatherholt's versatility here.
Despite a win last week, Louisville enters this weekend on the outside looking in on the playoff picture, sitting ninth in the table with a 5-7-8 record for 22 points. They took a first-half lead in the season's first meeting, but North Carolina responded with three second-half goals to secure the victory in the final match before the Olympic break. The Courage have won all eight regular-season meetings with Racing Louisville.
Louisville made several moves before the close of the transfer window, adding frontline firepower with the addition of forwards Bethany Balcer from Seattle and Janine Beckie from Portland. Beckie's winner gave Racing a come-from-behind win over Angel City last weekend. The Courage must keep the varied and talented Racing front in check to get a result. Luckily, goalkeeper Casey Murphy has been in world-class form since her return from the Olympics.
With just six fixtures left, crunch time is upon the NWSL season. North Carolina can gain some valuable separation from the playoff line with three points Saturday, while a win for Racing thrusts them right into the thick of the chase.
With urgency underlying a good matchup on the field, another entertaining NWSL moment is upon us.
• Discuss this story on the National Women's Soccer League message board...
National Women's Soccer League Stories from September 21, 2024
- Reign FC Falls 1-0 to Houston Dash - Seattle Reign FC
- Racing Louisville Tops North Carolina to Move into Playoff Position - Racing Louisville FC
- Two Late Goals Cost Courage On The Road Saturday Night - North Carolina Courage
- Houston Dash Sign Gabriela Guillén and Gracie Brian to Short-Term Loans from Dallas Trinity FC - Houston Dash
- Reign FC Travels to Shell Energy Stadium to Take on the Houston Dash Saturday Night - Seattle Reign FC
- Paige Monaghan Set to Achieve Career Milestone When URFC Visit Gotham FC - Utah Royals FC
- Preview: NC Courage at Racing Louisville - North Carolina Courage
- Matchday Info: San Diego Wave FC vs. Chicago Red Stars - San Diego Wave FC
- Rapid Reactions: Banda in the Bay - Orlando Pride
- Gotham FC Defender Kelley O'Hara Placed on Season-Ending Injury List - NJ/NY Gotham FC
- Preview: Chicago Red Stars vs. San Diego Wave FC - Chicago Stars FC
- Orlando Pride Clinches Club's First Home Playoff Match with 1-0 Victory Over Bay FC - Orlando Pride
- Bay FC Falls 1-0 in Hard-Fought Match with League-Leading Orlando Pride - Bay FC
- Kansas City Current Extend Home Winning Streak, Clinch Playoff Berth With 3-0 Home Victory Against Washington Spirit - Kansas City Current
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.
