by Fran Stuchbury
October 7, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
North Carolina Courage
North Carolina Courage vs. San Diego Wave FC
(North Carolina Courage, Credit: Fran Stuchbury)
The North Carolina Courage clinched a spot in the playoffs with a 2-1 victory over San Diego Wave FC in front of a season-high 8,496 fans at WakeMed Soccer Park Saturday evening. Some proceeds from the game helped support Hurricane Helene victims.
The Courage are now 9-0-2 at home this season, good for fifth place in the NWSL standings with 38 points. Meanwhile, San Diego Wave FC dropped to 5-11-7 for 22 points and 10th place, six points behind the Portland Thorns and Bay FC, the seventh and eighth place squads. The top eight teams make the NWSL postseason.
“I thought it was a good first half; I thought we were a little bit undisciplined in the second half,” said Courage Head Coach Sean Nahas. “Made the game a lot more difficult. Didn’t take our chances. They made a few adjustments. The talent that they brought on in the second half changed the game a little bit for them, and we were in desperation mode towards the end. We have to be better in those moments. If we want to be successful, we can’t give up silly corners; we can’t allow tap-ins. That was our number one focus, don’t allow set pieces. It almost came down to bite us with the last couple of chances, but we defended the goal well in the end. I would much rather the game be a little bit more secure there. I thought the first half we were absolutely brilliant. A lot to learn from, but we’ll take it, and stage one is complete.”
On the big crowd Nahas added, “I thought the energy was really good in the first half, because we gave them something to cheer about. The second half, I think they were fighting it a little bit, and we didn’t give them as much to cheer about. They helped us, they willed us through, and obviously when you have over 8,000 people, that’s what this stadium should be like every single weekend. So whatever we did to make this happen, then we need to make it happen again.
“It’s the reality, we have two more home games. Obviously a lot of it probably had to do with the relief efforts you know and our thoughts and prayers are with the families you know out in the western part of the country. I’ll also be remiss if I didn’t thank San Diego Wave FC head coach Landon Donovan and his staff and players for wearing the North Carolina shirts in support of us. That shows the type of people that they are and the…