MATCH PREVIEW: Courage Return to Challenge Cup Action Saturday at Orlando
Match Info:
North Carolina Courage at Orlando Pride Saturday, April 16 at 7 p.m. ET Exploria Stadium, Orlando, FL
CARY, NC (April 14, 2022) – The North Carolina Courage get back to 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup play this Saturday, April 16, at 7 p.m. ET as they hit the road to take on the Orlando Pride for the second time this year. The match will be streamed live on Paramount+. The Courage sit atop the Challenge Cup table with eight points and a record of 2-0-2, while the Orlando Pride occupy the bottom spot with just one point and a record of 0-3-1.
Fresh off the international break, five Courage players could return to club play in Saturday’s match. Debinha and Kerolin Nicoli each made appearances for Brazil, Denise O’Sullivan took the pitch for her native Ireland, Katie Bowen represented the Ford Football Ferns of New Zealand, and Diana Ordoñez made her debut for the Mexican National Team scoring three goals in two games played.
Last Time Out: The Courage drew with NJ/NY Gotham FC, 1-1, at Red Bull Arena on Sunday, April 3. Debinha scored her second goal of the tournament for the Courage, while Ifeoma Onumonu netted the equalizer for the New Jersey-based side. With this result, the Courage remain undefeated through 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup group play and own the top spot in the East Division standings with eight points.
Where to Watch: Paramount+
Players to Watch Presented by JubliaRX.com
North Carolina Courage – #23 Kiki Pickett Kiki Pickett earned her first start for the Courage in North Carolina’s last outing against the Pride, recording 78 minutes of action and four shots. In the fifth minute of the match, Pickett kicked off the Courage’s attack, driving down the center of the pitch and ripping a shot mere inches wide of the post. Acquired in an offseason trade with the Kansas City Current, the midfielder/defender logged 1,244 minutes played, 30 clearances and interceptions, and 13 starts in her rookie season. Orlando Pride – #8 Gunny Jónsdóttir Gunny Jónsdóttir kept the Orlando Pride from being blanked in their last outing, a 4-1 loss to the Washington Spirit. Just back from international duty with Iceland, Jónsdóttir will play a big role for the Pride again on Saturday as they look to earn their first win of the Challenge Cup.
Up Next: The North Carolina Courage will round out their Challenge Cup group stage play as they finally return home to take on the Washington Spirit on Saturday, April 23, at 1 p.m. ET. Tickets can be purchased here and the match will air on CBS Sports Network.
