MATCH PREVIEW: Courage Return Home for Regular-Season Action Wednesday vs. Orlando
Match Info:
North Carolina Courage vs. Orlando Pride
Wednesday, May 18 at 7 p.m. ET
WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, NC
CARY, NC (May 17, 2022) – The North Carolina Courage will get back to regular-season play against the Orlando Pride on Wednesday, May 18, at 7 p.m. ET. Match tickets can be found here, and the game will be broadcast live on Paramount+, Twitch (internationally) and WRALSports+ (locally).
Last Time Out: The North Carolina Courage’s match on Saturday, May 14, against NJ/NY Gotham FC was postponed due to COVID-19 protocols. Rescheduling details are forthcoming.
The last time the Courage took the field, the North Carolina side defeated the visiting Washington Spirit, 2-1, at home on Saturday to win the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup Championship. The match featured goals by Courage striker and Championship MVP, Kerolin Nicoli, along with Spirit forward Ashley Hatch and an own goal by Spirit defender Taylor Aylmer to give the Courage the win in the 70th minute.
Midfielder Debinha was named the Budweiser Tournament MVP for the second year in a row, and Abby Erceg, Carson Pickett and Debinha were all named to the All-Tournament Team.
Where to Watch: Paramount+, Twitch (international), WRALSports+ (local)
Players to Watch Presented by JubliaRX.com
North Carolina Courage – #1 Casey Murphy
Courage goalkeeper Casey Murphy is expected to make her return to action Wednesday vs. Orlando after missing the Challenge Cup and first game of the regular season with an injury sustained in training back in March. Murphy was outstanding in her first season with the Courage in 2021, recording an impressive 109 saves in 24 starts, and posting an NWSL record-tying 11 clean sheets on the year. Look out for Murphy to bring her poise and prowess back to the pitch in the near future.
Orlando Pride – #8 Gunny Jónsdóttir
Orlando captain and midfielder Gunny Jónsdóttir opened the scoring for the Pride in their most recent match, a 2-2 draw against the Kansas City Current. The Iceland native has been a constant in the Orlando midfield, starting all 24 matches played in 2021 and recording a goal and an assist in that time. Through three games this season, Jónsdóttir has logged 231 minutes and two shots in addition to her goal.
Up Next: The North Carolina Courage return home to WakeMed Soccer Park to play host to San Diego Wave FC on Sunday, May 22, at 2 p.m. ET. Tickets can be found here, and the match will be streamed live on Paramount+, Twitch and FOX50 (locally).