Match Info:
North Carolina Courage vs. Utah Royals FC
Sunday, May 19 – 5 p.m.
Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park
Broadcast:
Yahoo Sports: https://yhoo.it/30n9MRd
Cary, N.C. (May 17, 2019)- The North Carolina Courage (2W-1L-2D) look to defeat Utah Royals FC (3W-1L-0D) for the first time in team history on Sunday, May 19 at 5:00 p.m. The Courage return to Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park where they are undefeated this season.
Utah Royals FC leads the series between the two teams as they were the only team to beat the NC Courage in 2018. The Royals scored a stoppage-time goal to win, 1-0. The other two matches between the teams have ended in draws.
Lynn Williams comes into the match in top form. Williams has scored three goals in the last four games and has added two assists to her stat line. She leads the NWSL in shots taken, averaging just over five shots a game. Williams is one of only two players in the NWSL with multiple goals and assists during the 2019 season.
The NC Courage and Utah Royals were both handed their first losses of the season during Week 5. The Courage fell 3-1 to the Chicago Red Stars for their first defeat in 330 days. Williams scored the Courage’s lone goal in the match, while Merritt Mathias provided the assist. The team was one win short of tying the league’s unbeaten streak set by the Seattle Reign.
The Royals lost 2-1 to the Houston Dash after Rachel Daly netted two goals just minutes apart from each other. Utah Royals FC has scored one goal in each of their first four games. Amy Rodriguez leads the Royals in goals this season with two.
Crystal Dunn still leads the NWSL in goals scored during the 2019 season with four, despite missing two weeks of games while on international duty. Williams is tied for second in the NWSL with her three goals.
Up Next: The North Carolina Courage will travel to Tacoma, Washington for the first time in a Memorial Day matchup with Reign FC on Monday, May 27 at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Players to Watch:
North Carolina Courage- #23 Kristen Hamilton
Hamilton has played in every game this season and has started the last two matches for the NC Courage. She has brought a spark to the midfield during her 196 minutes played. Hamilton has taken seven shots, including one shot that resulted in a diving save that was nominated for NWSL Save of the Week. She has one assist on the season.
Utah Royals FC- #8 Amy Rodriguez
Rodriguez is a veteran in the league and brings experience to a team that is without many international players ahead of the World Cup. She leads the Royals in goals this season with two. Her goal against the Chicago Red Stars on May 3 was a game-winning goal. She will be looking to take more shots and score more goals against the Courage.
