May 5, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – North Carolina Courage News Release
CARY, N.C. – The North Carolina Courage play their second home game in four days as they take on the Portland Thorns this Saturday, May 6, at 7:00PM ET at WakeMed Soccer Park. Tickets are on sale now and the game will stream live on Paramount+ with @TheNCCourage providing live updates on social media before, during and after the match.
The Courage are coming off a midweek draw, 1-1, with Gotham FC in UKG Challenge Cup play. The Courage got off to a fast start with an early goal by Mille Gejl produced from a cross by Olivia Wingate, who earned her first professional assist. The Courage had several chances to add to the lead, including a penalty, but could not put Gotham away. Lynn Williams would make them pay,tying the match with a quarter-hour left. The draw pushed the Courage unbeaten streak in the UKG Challenge Cup to 12 games, extending their NWSL record.
With a month gone in the 2023 season, the new-look Courage are settling into their roles and play has progressively improved. Roster depth has been a key to recent success, with numerous options and rotations that all bring varied, yet complimentary, skill sets to the field.
The Match up
Saturday pits a pair of reigning champions against each other in the 2022 Challenge Cup winning Courage and NWSL Champion Thorns. Overall, the Courage are 8W-3D-4L lifetime against Portland and have won seven of their 13 regular season matches against the Thorns (D3 L3). North Carolina is the only NWSL team with a winning record against Portland in regular season play.
The teams drew in their first meeting of last season, with the Courage twice coming from behind in a 3-3 final at Providence Park. Three weeks later, the Courage earned a 3-1 win at WakeMed Soccer Park. The Courage have not lost to the Thorns since September 12, 2021.
Scouting Portland
The Thorns are coming off a dramatic home draw with Angel City FC when goalkeeper Bella Bixby scored a back-heeled goal to equalize in the 90+5′. The Thorns are the only team still undefeated in the 2023 regular season with three wins and two draws. The Thorns have played just one road match thus far, winning at Kansas City behind a Sophia Smith hat-trick. This weekend begins a grueling stretch for the NWSL table leaders with six of their next seven games on the road.
The Thorns lead the NWSL in goals (14), assists (8), shots on goal (41) and, shots (82). Their 82 shots are 25 more…