June 23, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
Chicago Red Stars News Release
CHICAGO – The Chicago Red Stars (5-6-2, 17 pts) pay a visit to the North Carolina Courage (5-7-1, 16 points) for the first meeting between the two clubs in 2024. Both sides head into the match hungry for three points, having one win each in their last five matches.
Where to Watch
Local Broadcast: Marquee Sports Network
Stream: Paramount+, NWSL+
Previous Result:
CHI: Chicago tied with league-leading Kansas City on the road, 2-2
NCC: North Carolina played to a scoreless draw against Orlando
Storylines
On the Road Again: The Red Stars and the Courage meet in the middle of a three-match road trip for Chicago. Being a visiting side has brought good fortune to the Red Stars so far in 2024, as the team boasts a 3-1-2 record on the road. The matchup won’t be an easy win for Chicago though; North Carolina is unbeaten in six matches at home, with every defeat in the Courage’s 5-7-1 record suffered at away matches. Additionally, North Carolina only allowed one goal from an opponent on home turf, in their first match of the season March 16. Conversely, the Red Stars have scored at least once in every away fixture this season, making it a showdown to see which side will blink first. The scales could be tipping slightly in Chicago’s favor, as North Carolina is scoreless in their last three matches (2L, 1D) and the Red Stars have scored more goals (18) with more individual goal scorers (9) than the Courage (13 goals, 8 goal scorers). Mallory Swanson’s sixth-minute goal June 14 sharpens the edge further, extending Chicago’s regular-season scoring streak on the road to nine consecutive matches. With so many streaks at stake, June 23 will surely be an intense battle from start to finish.
Woah, We’re Halfway There: With 13 matches under their belt, the Red Stars are at the halfway point of the season. The club currently sits almost squarely in the middle of the league table, in sixth place with 17 points. The club currently ranks fifth in goals scored this season (18), though they are one of two teams currently in a playoff position with a negative goal differential (-1). While the team’s road record has helped them stay in good position on the league table, the Red Stars are still behind Washington and Gotham in road wins (4 to 3) and have only managed to draw twice on the road compared to the three draws by Kansas City and Orlando. Chicago, however, is third in possession won in the…