NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE VS. SEATTLE REIGN FC
SAHLEN’S STADIUM AT WAKEMED SOCCER PARK
KICKOFF: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18- 7 PM ET
BROADCAST: go90 APP, go90.COM, NWSLSOCCER.COM, WRAL2 (local)
LIVE UPDATES: @THENCCOURAGE #NCvSEA The North Carolina Courage return to action in back-to-back home games this week, with the first match against second-place Seattle Reign FC (2W-0D-0L, 6 pts.) on Wednesday, April 18 at 7 p.m. ET. The Courage passed their first road test of the season on Saturday when the team traveled to face the Washington Spirit on April 14. Crystal Dunn’s first Courage goal combined with two tallies from McCall Zerboni and one from Lynn Williams gave the Courage a substantial 4-2 victory over the Spirit. The visitors are also coming off of a high note. Led by head coach Vlatko Andonovksi, Seattle Reign FC secured their second win with a rainy-day victory over Sky Blue FC. U.S. Women’s National Team standout Megan Rapinoe netted the lone goal in the first half from the penalty spot.
Series History:
Since relocating to Cary, the Courage are a perfect 3W-0L-0D against Seattle.
Saturday, July 8, 2017, Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park – 2-0 W (33’- Ashley Hatch, 81- McCall Zerboni) Saturday, August 5, 2017, Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park – 1-0 W (32’- Lynn Williams) Sunday, August 13, 2017, Memorial Stadium – 2-1 W (24’- Mewis, 74’- Mewis)
Fact to Know:
North Carolina and Seattle are the only two NWSL teams without a loss or tie this season.
Players to Watch:
North Carolina Courage – #7 McCall Zerboni
Zerboni was named Week 3 NWSL Player of the Week after scoring a brace in last Saturday’s match against the Washington Spirit. While these goals were the first for her this season, she’s made an impact before adding her name to the score sheet. The midfielder has dominated the center of the field without her usual helper in Sam Mewis beside her, which is clear with Zerboni’s team-high 243 touches and 183 passes. Seattle Reign – #10 Jess Fishlock The Welsh International is the work-horse of Seattle’s midfield. At 31 years old, Fishlock brings plenty of experience to her team’s roster, and the match up of her and Zerboni in the middle of the field will be entertaining to watch. While she hasn’t scored yet this year in the Reign’s two games, she comes off of a successful 2017 season where she saw seven goals and two assists which landed her a spot on the NWSL’s Best XI.
Coming Up Next:
The Courage will continue their two-game home stand against Utah Royals FC on Saturday, April 21 at 3:30 p.m. ET as the NWSL Game of the Week on Lifetime.
This will be the teams’ first meeting since Utah Royals FC joined the league ahead of the 2018 season.
