Match Preview: Courage vs. Racing Louisville FC
Match Info:
North Carolina Courage vs. Racing Louisville FC
Saturday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. ET
WakeMed Soccer Park | Cary, NC
CARY, NC (Sept. 9, 2022) – The North Carolina Courage returns home on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. ET, to play host to Racing Louisville FC for Star Wars Night. Match tickets can be found here and the clash will be streamed live on Twitch Global.
Last Time Out: Behind a stellar performance from goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland, the North Carolina Courage topped NJ/NY Gotham FC on Sunday, 1-0. The match also featured an own goal off Gotham defender Mandy Freeman, though the initial shot came from Courage midfielder Fuka.
Sunday marked the NWSL debut for midfielder Tess Boade, who joined the Courage in March 2022. Paired at the top of the formation with Diana Ordóñez, Boade proved an asset to the Courage’s offense. After a scoreless first half, both teams got back to work, with Gotham forcing Courage keeper Katelyn Rowland to pull out some of her best saves of the season. Tested by dangerous Gotham free kicks at the top of the 18, Rowland continued to stump the hosts.
Finally, in the 81st minute, Courage midfielder Fuka put an end to the wait. The Japanese international blasted a shot on frame, but a deflection off Gotham defender Mandy Freeman is what sealed the deal, sending the ball sailing past Betos and into the back of the net. At the final whistle, the North Carolina side walked away with all three points and another clean sheet on the season.
Notables:
- Tess Boade earned her first career NWSL start.
- Fuka netted her second goal of the season.
- Goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland made five saves in Sunday’s match, putting on a clinic and earning her first clean sheet of the regular season.
Where to Watch: Twitch Global
Players to Watch Presented by JubliaRX.com
North Carolina Courage — #10 Debinha
Fresh off international duty with her native Brazil, Courage midfielder Debinha will look to add to her five goals on the season thus far. If she can add two more, she’ll reach 30 career NWSL goals and make history as just the 22nd league player to reach the milestone.
Racing Louisville FC — #7 Savannah DeMelo
Racing Louisville FC midfielder Savannah DeMelo returns to action for her club in Saturday’s match after returning from duty with the USWNT. Through her NWSL rookie season, DeMelo has registered three goals, one assist and 45 key passes to aid her team’s offense.
Up Next: The North Carolina Courage continue their homestand with a bout against Angel City FC on Wednesday, Sept. 14. The match was rescheduled from mid-July due to a COVID-19 outbreak and tickets can be found here. Paramount+, WRAL Sports+ (local) and Twitch (international) will broadcast the match live.