Box Score KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Sept. 6, 2023) — The North Carolina Courage are headed back to the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup Final after a 1-0 win over the Kansas City Current Wednesday night at Children’s Mercy Stadium. Brianna Pinto’s late winner in the fifth minute of added time sent the defending champions back to the Final, which the Courage will host on Saturday, September 9, at 12:30 p.m. ET against the winner of OL Reign and Racing Louisville. The Courage took the first four shots of the night and had a brilliant chance to strike first at the quarter-hour mark when Manaka stole the ball at the edge of the attacking third and got in behind the back line, but she turned her screamer just wide of the far post. After some back-and-forth play, the Courage earned another opportunity when Emily Fox made a perfect step in front of a Current defender to draw a foul 35 yards from goal. The Courage would put a few dangerous balls into the box, but couldn’t open the scoring before the halftime whistle. After some good pressure early in the second half by North Carolina, Kansas City began to build pressure near the hour mark. A well-struck shot from the top of the box stretched Casey Murphy for a highlight-reel save to keep things level, then just moments later a build up found Michelle Cooper in front of goal, but her take missed high. The teams continued to trade probes over the next 20 minutes or so, but neither side could prove overly dangerous. Fox got the best look for the Courage in the 78’ on a strike with eyes for the upper-90 if not for a diving save by AD Franch. A scramble in front of goal off a corner the other way proceeded to be a dangerous moment when Murphy hit the deck reaching for the insert, but Narumi was on the line to block away a shot and keep the match level. The Courage would get a few shots away in stoppage time and finally broke through five minutes in. A long throw-in by Kaleigh Kurtz led to a scrum in front of goal that eventually found Pinto alone in the middle of the box. She finished corner netting to ignite the celebration before the Courage salted away the final few minutes to secure the win.

Match Notes

• North Carolina did not allow a shot until the 52’

• North Carolina earned their second-ever win at Children’s Mercy Park, both of which have been Challenge Cup semifinals

• The Courage are defending Challenge Cup champions and will defend their title on their home field Saturday

Next Match: The Courage will HOST the UKG Challenge Cup Final on Saturday, September 9, at 12:30 p.m. ET at WakeMed Soccer Park. There will be a $1 million prize and a trophy on the line on CBS against the winner of OL Reign and Racing Louisville. All updates on opponent, tickets, coverage, and more will be announced on www.nccourage.com and @TheNCCourage on social media.

Box Score:

NCC (4-3-3): Casey Murphy, Emily Fox, Malia Berkely, Kaleigh Kurtz, Ryan Williams, Narumi Miura, Denise O’Sullivan, Manaka Matsukubo (Brianna Pinto – 71’), Tyler Lussi (Haley Hopkins – 71’), Tess Boade (Mille Gejl – 82’), Kerolin Nicoli (Rikke Madsen – 90+7’)

Subs Not Used: Marisa Bova, Brittany Ratcliffe, Kiki Pickett, Olivia Wingate, Frankie Tagliaferri,

KCC (4-3-3): Adrianna Franch, Izzy Rodriguez (Stine Ballisager – 90+4’), Gabrielle Robinson, Elizabeth Ball, Hailie Mace (Mimmi Larsson – 90+4’), Lo’eau LaBonta, Alex Loera (Cece Kizer – 55’), Debinha, Alexa Spaanstra (Claire Lavogez – 81’), Kristen Hamilton (Kate Del Fava – 81’), Michelle Cooper

Subs Not Used: Cassie Miller, Jenna Winebrenner, Addisyn Merrick, Lauren

Score:

NCC: 1

KCC: 0

Goals:

NCC: B. Pinto – 90+6’

KCC:

Cautions:

NCC: K. Kurtz – 38’; Narumi – 51’; T. Boade – 78’; B. Pinto – 85’

KCC:

Ejections:

NCC: –

KCC: –