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CHICAGO (Sept. 16, 2018) – The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) announced today the list of finalists for Most Valuable Player, Defender of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Coach of the Year. North Carolina Head Coach Paul Riley  (Coach of the Year), alongside Abby Erceg and Abby Dahlkemper (Defender of the Year), and Lynn Williams and McCall Zerboni (Most Valuable Player), highlight the list of this year’s finalists. 
 
In the final round of voting – owners, general managers, head coaches, players, media and fans will vote from now to Sept. 18 at 11:59 p.m. ET to determine the individual award winners as well as the 2018 NWSL Best XI.
 
FAN VOTING IS NOW OPEN: https://nwsl.us/2MzAvlt
 
2018 NWSL Awards – Finalists
 
Coach of the Year
 
Vlatko Andonovski, Seattle Reign FC
In his first year as coach of Seattle Reign FC, Vlatko Andonovski coached the Reign to their first playoff appearance since 2015. The Reign finished 11-5-8 with 41 points to capture third place in the NWSL and went 7-1-4 at home. The Reign finished the year with the second-best goals against average in league history (.79), allowing 19 goals in 24 games. Their 12 clean sheets tied the NWSL record.
 
Mark Parsons, Portland Thorns FC
In 2018, Mark Parsons and Portland Thorns FC finished in second place in the NWSL for the second straight year, earning their third straight postseason appearance, and third straight home semifinal game. Their 12-6-6 record (42 points) also marked their third straight season with 12 wins or more. The Thorns went 7-1-1 down the stretch and won the No. 2 seed in their regular season finale with a 3-1 win over Seattle Reign FC. Portland’s 40 goals and +12 goal differential were second in the NWSL.
 
Paul Riley, North Carolina Courage
In 2018, Paul Riley and the North Carolina Courage won the NWSL Shield for the second consecutive season. The Courage finished the regular season with a 17-1-6 record, setting NWSL records for most wins (17), points (57), fewest losses (1), most goals scored (53), fewest goals allowed (17), goals against average (.71) and largest goal differential (+36). They also became the first team in NWSL history to go unbeaten on the road for an entire season.
 
Rookie of the Year
 
Imani Dorsey, Sky Blue FC 
After making her NWSL debut on June 8, Sky Blue FC forward Imani Dorsey appeared in 13 games for Sky Blue, earning 1,047 minutes and making 12 starts. She recorded 4 goals, 1 assists, 16 shots on target and 11 chances created, while posting a 74.4% passing accuracy (332 passes).
 
Savannah McCaskill, Sky Blue FC
Sky Blue FC midfielder Savannah McCaskill appeared in 20 matches, 17 starts, and played 1,510 minutes. She scored 3 goals and 3 assists, with 12 shots on target and a 68.5% passing accuracy (581 passes). Her 37 chances created ranked 11th in the league.
 
Andi Sullivan, Washington Spirit
Washington Spirit midfielder Andi Sullivan led all rookies with 1,984 minutes. In 23 games (22 starts), she held a 78.9% passing accuracy (988 passes), and added 34 interceptions, 33 tackles won and 1 assist.
 
End of season statistical league leaders are available here.
More stats are also available on each player’s page on the NWSL site: Imani Dorsey, Savannah McCaskill,Andi Sullivan
 
Goalkeeper of the Year
 
Aubrey Bledsoe, Washington Spirit
Washington Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe finished tied for first in the NWSL with 108 saves, a new NWSL record. She posted 4 clean sheets and held a 78.3% save percentage, conceding 30 goals over 21 games.
 
Adrianna Franch, Portland Thorns FC
Portland Thorns FC goalkeeper Adrianna Franch made 14 starts in 2018, posting 3 clean sheets. She made 45 saves, conceded 14 goals and held a save percentage of 76.3%.
 
Lydia Williams, Seattle Reign FC
Seattle Reign FC goalkeeper Lydia Williams earned 10 clean sheets, one shy of tying the NWSL record. She made 56 saves and allowed 11 goals over 16 games, posting a save percentage of 83.6%.
 
End of season statistical league leaders are available here.
More stats are also available on each player’s page on the NWSL site: Aubrey Bledsoe,Adrianna Franch,Lydia Williams
 
Defender of the Year
 
Abby Dahlkemper, North Carolina Courage
North Carolina Courage defender Abby Dahlkemper appeared in 19 games in 2018 for the league’s best-ranked defense. She made 60 clearances, 11 blocks, 20 interceptions, 8 tackles won and 39 duels won. She held a passing accuracy of 79.3% (885 passes).
 
Abby Erceg, North Carolina Courage
North Carolina Courage defender Abby Erceg played every minute (2,160) in 2018, one of five players to do so, as the Courage allowed the fewest goals in the league and earned 11 clean sheets. She made 110 clearances (2nd in the NWSL), 21 blocks (4th), 50 interceptions and 19 tackles won. She won 116 duels, including 81 aerial duels, which ranked 5th in the league. She held an 81.9% passing accuracy (1047 passes) and added 2 goals and 2 assists.
 
Julie Ertz, Chicago Red Stars 
Chicago Red Stars defender Julie Ertz played 1,126 minutes over 14 appearances in 2018. She recorded 54 clearances, 8 blocks, 22 interceptions, 9 tackles won and 63 duels won. She held a passing accuracy of 67.1% (468 passes).
 
Becky Sauerbrunn, Utah Royals FC
Utah Royals FC defender Becky Sauerbrunn played 1,720 minutes over 20 appearances in 2018, as Utah’s finished the season allowing the third-fewest goals in the league. She was the league’s most efficient passer (minimum 400 pass attempts) with an 86.23% passing accuracy over 1,046 passes. Her 18 blocks ranked 5th in the NWSL and 90 clearances ranked 10th in the NWSL. She also had 20 tackles won, 78 duels won, and 49 interceptions.
 
Emily Sonnett, Portland Thorns FC
Portland Thorns FC defender Emily Sonnett played 1,755 minutes over 20 games in 2018 and her 104 clearances ranked third in the NWSL. She recorded 14 blocks, 35 interceptions, 18 tackles won and 68 duels won. She also had one goal and one assist, and held a 77.8% passing accuracy (886 passes).
 
End of season statistical league leaders are available here.
 
More stats are also available on each player’s page on the NWSL site: Abby Dahlkemper,Abby Erceg, Julie Ertz, Becky Sauerbrunn, Emily Sonnett
 
Most Valuable Player
 
Lindsey Horan, Portland Thorns FC
Portland Thorns FC midfielder Lindsey Horan played 1,980 minutes over 22 games as the Thorns went 12-6-6 (42 points) and finished second in the NWSL. She scored 13 goals (3rd in the NWSL) and added 2 assists, scoring at a rate of 152.3 minutes per goal in 30 shots on target. She led the league in total touches (1,852) and duels won (297), including aerial duels (141), which was also first in the league. She also had 47 tackles won (tied for 4th in the NWSL), 42 headed clearances (3rd). She recorded 25 chances created and held a passing accuracy of 75.2% (1,293 passes).
 
Sam Kerr, Chicago Red Stars
Chicago Red Stars forward Sam Kerr played 1,704 minutes over 19 games for the Red Stars as the team finished fourth in the NWSL with a 9-5-10 record (37 points). Her 16 goals lead the league, and she added 4 assists. Her 40 chances created tied for 9th in the NWSL. She scored at a rate of 106.5 minutes per goal in 47 shots on target. She won 129 duels, tied for 12th in the league, 70 of which were aerial duels, 9th in the NWSL. 
 
Megan Rapinoe, Seattle Reign FC
Seattle Reign FC forward Megan Rapinoe played 1,315 minutes over 16 games for the Reign as they finished third in the NWSL with an 11-5-8 record and 41 points. She scored 7 goals (tied for 10th) and had 6 assists (tied for 4th in the league). She scored at a rate of 187.9 minutes per goal in 37 shots on target. Her 41 chances created ranked 8th in the NWSL and 27 successful crosses/corners ranked 6th in the NWSL. She won 114 duels, 31 in the air.
 
Lynn Williams, North Carolina Courage
North Carolina Courage forward Lynn Williams played 1,707 minutes over 21 games for the Courage as North Carolina finished first in the NWSL with a 17-1-6 record (57 points). Her 14 goals ranked second in the NWSL, scoring at a rate of 121.9 minutes per goal in 41 shots on target. She added 5 assists and 29 chances created. She won 116 duels, 54 of which were aerial duels.
 
McCall Zerboni, North Carolina Courage
North Carolina Courage midfielder McCall Zerboni played 1,800 minutes over 20 games for the Courage, as North Carolina posted a 17-1-6 record (57 points) and finished first in the league. She led the league in tackles won with 63 and finished second in interceptions with 70. She won 203 duels, third best in the NWSL, 47 of which were aerial duels. She finished 10th in total touches with 1,422. She also added 3 goals in 8 shots on target and 25 chances created. She held a passing accuracy of 75.9% (995 passes).

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CHICAGO (Sept. 12, 2018) – The National Women’s Soccer League, in conjunction with the North Carolina Courage and Chicago Red Stars, continue to monitor the changing forecast of Hurricane Florence as it relates to the potential of the NC Courage’s NWSL Semifinal home playoff game being played as scheduled on Sunday, Sept. 16, at 3 p.m. ET.
 
The league and teams continue to explore all options and scenarios that would ultimately permit the match to be played in front of the NC Courage home fans.
 
The safety of the fans, players and staff, as well as the ability for the Red Stars to travel to North Carolina safely, remains the top priority for NWSL. An announcement as to the status of the match will be made as soon as reasonably possible.

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Cary, N.C. (September 10, 2018) -The North Carolina Football Club is closely monitoring the forecast for Hurricane Florence related to potential impacts on the upcoming home NC Courage NWSL Semifinal on Sunday September 16, as well as travel for NCFC as they visit Penn FC on Sunday evening.

Specific to the NC Courage NWSL Semifinal against the Chicago Red Stars on Sunday, September 16 at 3:00 p.m., at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park,  the club is in contact with the League and the visiting team. The safety and well-being of fans, players and event staff is the club’s priority.

Any updates will be posted on NorthCarolinaFC.com and www.nccourage.com, as well as shared with fans via email, social media and other communications channels. 

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 CHICAGO (September 7, 2018) – The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) announced today that the NC Courage’s 2018 NWSL Semifinal match will be broadcast on ESPN 2 on Sunday, Sept. 16 at 3:00 p.m. ET.
 
The first semifinal will be broadcast by Lifetime on Saturday, Sept. 15 at 3:00 p.m. Lifetime will also broadcast the NWSL Championship from Providence Park in Portland, Ore., on Saturday, Sept. 22 at 4:00 p.m. 

The Chicago Red Stars, North Carolina Courage, Portland Thorns FC and Seattle Reign FC have clinched all four spots in the 2018 playoffs. Tonight, Portland and Seattle will face off live on Lifetime at 10:00 p.m. ET in a battle to decide who will host the semifinal on Sept. 15. 
 
Meanwhile, the Courage secured the top spot in the playoffs weeks ago and are set to host either the Thorns FC or Red Stars in the other semifinal on Sept. 16 at Sahlen’s Stadium in Cary, N.C.

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CARY, N.C. (Sept. 5, 2018)– The North Carolina Football Club is excited to announce a collaborative partnership with the Carolina Hurricanes. On Saturday, Sept. 8, at the club’s historic doubleheader, the Carolina Hurricanes will be in attendance with the Storm Squad and their promotions set-up in a pre-game activation area in front of the stadium.

In the first professional doubleheader in club history, North Carolina FC will take on Nashville SC at 5 p.m. in a major playoff race match. The NC Courage will conclude their regular season with the final match of the night against the Houston Dash at 7:30 p.m.

As part of the collaboration, a co-branded North Carolina Football Club and Carolina Hurricanes t-shirt will be on sale, featuring logos from both teams. The t-shirt will be available for $25 at merchandise stands around the stadium.

Additionally, all Carolina Hurricanes season ticket holders will receive 20% off tickets. Hurricanes’ season ticket holders can call in to the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144 to take advantage of the deal.

North Carolina Football Club’s historic doubleheader features a full evening of soccer at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. One ticket guarantees access to both games. Tickets can be purchased online, over the phone at 919-459-8144 or in person at the Coastal Credit Box Office.

CARY, N.C. (August 22, 2018) –The North Carolina Football Club announced today an exclusive World Cup Qualifier package that includes tickets to the group stage matches of the Women’s World Cup qualifiers between October 4 and 10 and a ticket the NC Courage NWSL Semifinal match on Sunday, September 16.
 
The United States Women’s National Team will play their group stage at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park October 4, 7 and 10 and the only way to guarantee a seat before tickets go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, August 28 is by purchasing this exclusive pre-sale package. 
 
Last year the NWSL Semifinal sold out quickly and we expect this season to be no different. Furthermore, U.S. National Team games are always in high demand, so this is the only way for fans to secure their seats to both events prior to general public sale for the qualifiers. 
 
The window to purchase this package deal is 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 24 through Monday, August 27 at 5:00 p.m.
 
Beginning Friday morning at 10:00 a.m. fans can purchase this exclusive package by phone at 919.459.8144 or online by clicking HERE.
 
The USWNT boasts several of your favorite NC Courage players on the roster, including Abby Dahlkemper, Crystal Dunn, Samantha Mewis and McCall Zerboni.
 
While USA and Canada are already seeded into Group A and Group B at the Concacaf Women’s Championships respectively. The Central American Zone and Caribbean Zone qualification for the Concacaf Women’s Championship will conclude on September 2. The draw which determines who the United States will face in the group stage of the 2018 Concacaf Women’s Championship will take place September 4 in Miami.

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OTTAWA, Ontario (August 22, 2018) – Sabrina D’Angelo has been named to the Canadian National Team as Canada Soccer has released its roster for the upcoming Women’s International Friendly match against Brazil. Canada’s squad will face Brazil in Ottawa on Sunday, Sept. 2 at TD Place.

The 2016 Olympic Bronze Medalist has five caps, three starts and two shutouts with the Canadian senior team. Most recently, D’Angelo was instrumental in helping the NC Courage capture the Inaugural Women’s International Champions Cup in Miami last July.

Head Coach Kenneth Heiner-Møller has selected a squad that blends experience and youth, inviting five teenagers in Maya Antoine, Julia Grosso, Jordyn Huitema, Jayde Riviere, and veteran Deanne Rose. Canada will also feature two-time Olympic Bronze Medalists Christine Sinclair, Sophie Schmidt, Desiree Scott, and Diana Matheson, as well as London 2012 Bronze Medalist and goalkeeper Erin McLeod, who missed Rio 2016 with an injury.

Eight more from the core Rio 2016 Bronze Medal winning squad return for the rematch against Brazil: Janine Beckie, Kadeisha Buchanan, Allysha Chapman, Jessie Fleming, Stephanie Labbé, Ashley Lawrence, Nichelle Prince, and Rebecca Quinn. Rounding out the squad are returning players Lindsay Agnew, Sabrina D’Angelo, Adriana Leon and Shannon Woeller.

Ahead of Canada’s FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™ qualification campaign set for October at the 2018 CONCACAF Women’s Championships, Canada will be using the opportunity to play the 2016 Rio Olympic hosts to assess the squad make-up and to see how individuals perform under the unique pressures of playing such a high-calibre team.  Both Canada and Brazil have recently been ranked amongst the top-10 nations in the world, with Canada ranked fifth and Brazil ranked seventh.

While USA and Canada are already seeded into Group A and Group B at the Concacaf Women’s Championships respectively, the Central American Zone and Caribbean Zone qualification for the Concacaf Women’s Championship will conclude on 2 September, the same day Canada faces Brazil in Ottawa. The draw which determines who Canada will face in the group stage of the 2018 Concacaf Women’s Championship will take place 4 September in Miami.

2018 Canada Soccer Women’s National Team v Brazil Roster
Head Coach Kenneth Heiner-Møller
GK – Stephanie Labbe, age 31, from Stony Plain, AB/ Lejonflocken Linköping (Damallsvenskan)
GK – Erin McLeod, age 35, from St. Albert, AB/ USV Jena (Frauen-Bundesliga)
GK – Sabrina D’Angelo, age 25, from Welland, ON/ NC Courage (NWSL)
FB – Lindsay Agnew, age 23, from Kingston, ON/ Houston Dash (NWSL)
FB – Allysha Chapman, age 29, from Courtice, ON/ Houston Dash (NWSL)
FB – Ashley Lawrence, age 23, from Caledon, ON/Paris Saint Germain (Division 1 Féminine France)
FB – Jayde Riviere, age 17, from Markham, ON/ Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite/ Canada Soccer Regional EXCEL Super Centre (British Columbia)
CB – Maya Antoine, age 17, from Vaughn, ON/ Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite/ Canada Soccer Regional EXCEL Super Centre (British Columbia)
CB – Shannon Woeller, age 28, from Vancouver, BC/ Eskilstuna United DFF (Damallsvenskan)
CB – Kadeisha Buchanan, age 22, from Brampton, ON/ Olympique Lyonnais (Division 1 Féminine France)
CB – Shelina Zadorsky, age 25, from London, ON/ Orlando Pride (NWSL)
M/CB –  Rebecca Quinn, age 23, from Toronto, ON/ Washington Spirit (NWSL)
M – Jessie Fleming, age 20, from London, ON/UCLA (NCAA)
M – Julia Grosso, age 17, from Vancouver, BC / Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite/ Canada Soccer Regional EXCEL Super Centre (British Columbia)
M –  Diana Matheson, age 34, from Oakville, ON/Utah Royals FC (NWSL)
M- Sophie Schmidt, age 30, from Abbotsford, BC/ Unattached
M- Desiree Scott, age 31, from Winnipeg, MB/ Utah Royals FC (NWSL)
F- Jordyn Huitema, age 17, from Chilliwack, BC/ Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite/ Canada Soccer Regional EXCEL Super Centre (British Columbia)
F – Adriana Leon, age 25, from King City, ON/ Seattle Reign FC (NWSL)
F – Nichelle Prince, age 23, from Ajax, ON/ Houston Dash (NWSL)
F – Deanne Rose, age 19, from Alliston, ON/ University of Florida Gators (NCAA)
F – Christine Sinclair ( C ), age 35, from Burnaby, BC/ Portland Thorns (NWSL)
F – Janine Beckie, age 24, from Highlands Ranch, CO/ Manchester City (FA Women’s Super League)

 
 
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