Coverage:
Live Stats(NWSL) Broadcast: Paramount+ (PXP: Josh Eastern, Analyst: Anna Witte)
PREVIEW
CARY, N.C. (May 19, 2023) — The North Carolina Courage aim to improve upon a three-match unbeaten streak in NWSL regular season action as they host Angel City FC on Saturday, May 20, at 7:00 p.m. ET at WakeMed Soccer Park. The match will stream live on Paramount+ with Josh Eastern and Anna Witte on the call. The Courage are wrapping up a four-game home stand and this will be the final chance to see the team at home for nearly a month. Purchase tickets here.
The Courage have not lost in May, earning a win and pair of draws. They are unbeaten in three straight NWSL regular season matches and five of their last six overall competitions, climbing four spots in the standings over the last three weeks. The team leads the NWSL in successful passes, passing accuracy, possession and possessional passes. With a new style of play implemented this season, the fruits of the labor are starting to bare. After hosting the then-NWSL leaders on back-to-back weekends and securing four points from that stretch, the Courage are starting to turn heads across the league. Having faced all five teams ahead of them in the standings through seven matches, a tough early schedule has forced this young Courage team to grow up quickly. They’ll look to continue writing their own story, rather than follow the outside script that was written, as Hollywood comes to town this weekend.
The Matchup
The Courage and Angel City split their meetings in 2022, the inaugural season for ACFC. The Courage were Angel City’s first ever opponent at BMO Stadium, with the home side earning a 2-1 win in a raucous environment. The Courage returned the favor with a 1-0 win on a Kerolin Nicoli goal.
Scouting Angel City
Angel City has become accustomed to high-scoring affairs, scoring the fourth most goals this season (11) but conceding the third highest total (13). They generate offensive volume with 70 shots, an average of 10 per game, and eight of their goals have come with an assist. They’ve been feast or famine on the offensive end as of late, twice scoring no goals and twice scoring three goals in their last four contests. Rookie phenom Alyssa Thompson has led the way offensively, striking for three goals while Claire Emslie has both a pair of goals and assists. Julie Ertz has scored a goal on as many shots since her return and Jun Endo has a goal and two assists. Defensively, Savannah McCaskill has won over 80% of her tackles and 55% of duels. Endo has also been able to create chaos via the press, tackling at a 57% clip.
Players to Watch
Courage: Defender Malia Berkely (#7) Berkely’s injection into the lineup and the Courage unbeaten run are not mere coincidence. Berkely’s play has been solid. She has a pair of blocks, three interceptions and a 92% passing accuracy while winning more than half her duels and tackles. Her ability to sure up the second center back spot alongside Kaleigh Kurtz has allowed Ryan Williams to return to her natural position at full back and create what appears to be a sustainable, long-term solution for the back line. While the Courage did allow the Portland Thorns to score three goals, they’ve pitched clean sheets in two of the three matches with this back line against dangerous offenses in Houston and OL Reign. Berkely is physical, hard-nosed, and extremely competitive with a championship pedigree from her Florida State days. She’ll be a key to stopping the dangerous and varied Angel City attack on Saturday night. Angel City: Attacker Jun Endo (#18) The shiny newcomers Alyssa Thompson and Julie Ertz may grab the most attention, but don’t lose any luster for the 22-year-old Japanese phenom Jun Endo. She can score from long range, can penetrate and create her own shot, create for others, and is extremely dangerous in her movement without the ball. She’s won 10 fouls while conceding just three, wins 57% of tackles and 64% of duels. The Courage defense will have their hands full with this front-footed, attacking minded Angel City side and Endo will be an important one to watch from the moment they gain possession.
Up Next
The Courage begin a month-long road swing as they travel inland to face Racing Louisville for the first time this season on Saturday, May 27, at 8:00 p.m. ET. The match features two teams that made a blockbuster trade in the off-season, with Emily Fox facing the team that drafted her first overall in 2021 for the first time. The match will air live on CBS Sports Network.
