Match Preview: Courage at OL Reign
Match Info:
North Carolina Courage at OL Reign
Friday, July 1 at 10 p.m. ET
Lumen Field | Seattle, WA
SEATTLE, WA (June 30, 2022) – The North Carolina Courage hit the road once more to face off against OL Reign on Friday, July 1, at 10 p.m. ET. The match will be broadcast on Paramount+, WRAL Sports+ (locally) and Twitch (internationally). The match, North Carolina’s first since the international break, will see the return of several national team players: Katie Bowen (NZL), Kerolin Nicoli (BRA), Denise O’Sullivan (IRE), Brianna Pinto (USA U-23).
Defender Carson Pickett is also set to return after earning her first call-up and cap with the US Women’s National Team, making her the first player with a limb-difference to step onto the pitch for the Americans.
Last Time Out: The North Carolina Courage fell just short of the Houston Dash, 4-3, on Sunday, June 19. The match featured goals from Courage midfielder Denise O’Sullivan, Diana Ordoñez and Debinha. The Dash’s Elizabeth Eddy netted a brace, while Nichelle Prince and María Sánchez added a goal apiece.
The Courage got off to a dominant start with a golazo from midfielder Denise O’Sullivan, her first regular-season Courage goal, and her first regular-season goal since 2016 when she played for the Dash. While the first half ended at one goal apiece, ultimately, the Dash returned from the break and overpowered the Courage, netting three goals in less than 10 minutes to give them a 4-1 lead early in the second half.
Not content to sit back, the Courage rallied and Diana Ordoñez netted her third goal of the season, this time off a classic ball from defender Carson Pickett. Two minutes later, Courage midfielder Debinha snuck a ball past Campbell to bring the game nearly within a goal. In the end, Houston prevailed, ending the Courage’s three-game unbeaten streak.
Where to Watch: Paramount+, WRAL Sports+ (locally), Twitch (internationally)
Players to Watch Presented by JubliaRX.com
North Carolina Courage – #8 Denise O’Sullivan
Fresh off a stellar performance with the Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team, midfielder Denise O’Sullivan returns to NWSL action on a bit of a hot streak. In the Courage’s last outing before the break, O’Sullivan recorded her first regular-season Courage goal (also her first regular-season goal since scoring for the Dash in 2016) just nine minutes into the competition. Known largely for her consistency and reliability on the ball, O’Sullivan is a valuable asset for North Carolina as a link-up player, breaking through lines to ensure playmaking success.
OL Reign – #91 Phallon Tullis-Joyce
A multiple-time Save of the Week nominee, Reign goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce leads the league this season in saves (35) and is tied for first in clean sheets (5). Tullis-Joyce has been exactly what the Reign need this season, with her latest clean sheet coming in the club’s 1-0 win over Angel City FC, during which she recorded three saves. The 25-year-old will need to be solid against a Courage team that has regularly put up three goals in 2022.
Up Next: The North Carolina Courage stay on the road to take on the Chicago Red Stars on Sunday, July 10, at . The match will be broadcast live on Paramount+ and Twitch (internationally).
