MATCHDAY INFO:
NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE AT ORLANDO PRIDE
ORLANDO CITY STADIUM
KICKOFF: WEDNESDAY, MAY 23 AT 7:30 PM ET
BROADCAST: go90 APP, go90.COM, NWSLSOCCER.COM
LIVE UPDATES: @THENCCOURAGE #NCvORL
The North Carolina Courage (7W-0L-2D) travel to Orlando City Stadium for the first time since the 2017 NWSL Championship on Wednesday, May 23 at 7 p.m. ET. Wednesday’s match will be the second game in four days for the NC Courage who beat Sky Blue FC 2-1 on Saturday thanks to goals by Crystal Dunn and Samantha Mewis.
Wednesday’s meeting will be the first between the Courage and the Pride in 2018. The two teams had a history of high scoring, intense games in 2017. There were a combined 13 goals between the two teams in the three times they met in 2017. Orlando led the series winning two of the three matches.
The NC Courage have staked their first-place claim after going nine games unbeaten to start their 2018 campaign, tying an existing NWSL record for best nine-game start to a season, a record that has been held by Seattle Reign FC since 2014. The Courage are trying to extend their winning streak, avoiding a loss to Orlando who served them their first loss in the 2017 season.
Most recently, the Courage earned their seventh win of the season after a stellar performance by Katelyn Rowland, who earned her third start of the season in goal. Rowland made a double save on a penalty kick by Sky Blue’s Carli Lloyd, proving to be a vital play in the Courage’s 2-1 win over Sky Blue.
The Orlando Pride are returning to action after a bye week. They have been moving up the NWSL standings in the past month with wins against Portland, Chicago, and Houston. They currently sit in 3rd place, 11 points behind the North Carolina Courage.
Series History:
Since relocating to Cary, the Courage are 1W-2L-0D against Orlando.
Saturday, April 29, 2017, Cary, N.C. – 3-1 W (6’- McDonald, 27’- Camila, 33’- Mewis, 70’-Williams)
Sunday, May 14, 2017, Orlando, F.L.- 1-3 L (49’- Ubogagu, 50’- Camila, 51’- Debinha, 82’- Spencer)
Saturday, September 30, 2017, Cary, N.C.- 2-3 L (22’- Edmonds, 51’- Marta, 62’- Williams, 67’- Williams, 90’- Kennedy)
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Fact to Know:**
The NC Courage have won four straight away games and have outscored opponents 12-3 over that span.
Players to Watch:
North Carolina Courage – #10 Debinha
Since returning from International Duty with the Brazilian national team, Debinha has been a vital player in the midfield, creating scoring opportunities for the NC Courage. Not only has she been playing beautiful through balls to the forwards, but she has also been taking shots for the Courage. She has 12 shots on the season, seven of which were on goal. She found the back of the net in the 1-0 win over Portland in the NC Courage home opener.
Orlando Pride- # 24 Ashlyn Harris
Ashlyn Harris currently sits in 5th place among goalkeepers in the league with 21 saves so far this season. The experienced keeper has started every game for Orlando during the 2018 season and has earned three shutouts. She earned the honor of NWSL Save of the Week in the 3rd week of the season when she made a diving save which helped Orlando secure a win over the Portland Thorns.
Coming Up Next:
The Courage will have a bye this weekend and return to action next Wednesday at the Portland Thorns on May 30 at 10:30 pm ET. The team then makes their final trek to Houston to play the Dash on Sunday, June 3 at 6:30 pm ET.
