CARY, N.C. (Sept. 1, 2023) – The North Carolina Courage host Gotham FC in a critical NWSL showdown at WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday, September 2, with kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m. ET. The holiday weekend showdown features two of the top four teams in the league table with five matches left regular season.
The Courage looked to return to form early last Sunday, quickly integrating players new to the roster and returning from the World Cup. They struck for an early goal and had dominant possession and passing stats, but a straight red card was shown 20 minutes in, forcing the Courage had to battle down a player for over an hour. A set piece goal for Chicago and some near misses for North Carolina saw the match end in a 1-1 draw. There were still plenty of positives to take away for this young Courage group. The squad showed resilience, grit, and unwavering effort in the intense heat. Regardless of results, this team’s heart has been unquestionable all season long. Manaka Matsukubo was as advertised in her NWSL debut while Kerolin Nicoli was dangerous as ever in her return to club action. For all the ups and downs, the Courage – predicted to finish near the bottom of the table at the start of the year – enter the final quarter of the regular season in second place and are very real contenders for not just playoffs, but the NWSL Shield, and they will play in a UKG Challenge Cup semifinal next week. Regardless of how the rest of the season plays out, this is a team that has massively outperformed external expectations and has made the club and its supporters proud to be a part of Courage Country.
The Matchup
The Courage, the second-youngest roster in the NWSL, are seeking their first win against the most veteran lineup in the league Saturday. This will be the fourth, and final, meeting between the clubs in 2023 between regular season and Challenge Cup group play. North Carolina fell in both trips to Harrison this season and earned a 1-1 draw at home back in early May. The Courage are 9W-4L-2D in lifetime regular season meetings with Gotham.
Scouting Gotham
This weekend is the penultimate road trip for Gotham this season, with three of their last four matches at Red Bull Arena. A veteran roster brimming with proven professional talent, Gotham’s stark turnaround from a lackluster 2022 to contending 2023 is no surprise. They’re even with the Courage for second-fewest goals conceded this season, lead the NWSL in tackle success and rank second in tackles won. Familiar face Lynn Williams has been the focal point of the Gotham attack, netting seven goals on 49 shots this season.
Wrapping Up
A Courage win guarantees first or second in the standings after the weekend while a draw keeps them in the top three. While North Carolina can’t drop from playoff positioning regardless of result, the compact standings make every point critical down the stretch. With just two home fixtures left, Courage Country’s support for the home field advantage Saturday will be key.
