CARY, N.C. (August 10, 2023) — The North Carolina Courage have claimed their second consecutive UKG Challenge Cup East Division title. The reigning Challenge Cup champions keep their title defense alive following a 1-1 draw between Gotham FC and the Orlando Pride last night at Red Bull Arena.

The Courage finished group play 3-1-2, tying Gotham with 11 points. The Courage claim the division based on goal differential, with North Carolina finishing +10 across the six group stage matches compared to a +3 differential for Gotham. The Courage will be the three-seed in the playoff bracket and face the two-seed Kansas City Current, the Central Division champion, on Wednesday, September 6, with an 8:00 p.m. ET kickoff at Children’s Mercy Park. The rematch of last year’s semifinal — which the Courage won, 2-1, in Kansas City — will air live on CBS Sports Network. The Courage and Current split their regular season meetings in 2023, with both home sides earning 1-0 wins. Top seed, and West Division champion, OL Reign will host wildcard Racing Louisville in the other semifinal, which will take place at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington at 10:00 p.m. ET on September 6. The two semifinal winners will meet in the UKG Challenge Cup final on Saturday, September 9, at 12:30 p.m. ET. The highest remaining seed will have first right to host, pending stadium availability. The final will air live on CBS.