Coverage:
[Live Stats](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/north-carolina-courage-vs-ol-reign-2023-05-14/latest?utm_source=sendinblue&utm_campaign=PREVIEW NCC vs RGN 514&utm_medium=email)(NWSL) [Broadcast:](https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/national-womens-soccer-league/?utm_source=sendinblue&utm_campaign=PREVIEW NCC vs RGN 514&utm_medium=email) Paramount+ (PXP: Josh Eastern, Analyst: Jill Loyden)
Social Media: @TheNCCourage
PREVIEW
CARY, N.C. (May 12, 2023) — The North Carolina Courage look to build momentum as they host the NWSL table leader, OL Reign, on Sunday, May 14, at 3:00 p.m. ET. The Mother’s Day matinee marks the second straight home match against the team currently leading the league. The match will stream on Paramount+ and tickets can be purchased [online here](https://www.ticketmaster.com/north-carolina-courage-vs-ol-reign-cary-north-carolina-05-14-2023/event/2D005E5BDC648CC7?utm_source=sendinblue&utm_campaign=PREVIEW NCC vs RGN 514&utm_medium=email).
The Courage have lost just once in their last five overall competitions (1W, 3D), including a thrilling 3-3 draw with Portland last Saturday in front of 7,070 fans at WakeMed Soccer Park. The offense came alive to score multiple goals for the first time this season, including the fastest goal in club history just :33 in. The crowd was also historic, marking the fifth largest regular season home crowd in club history and biggest since August of 2018. The Courage currently sit in seventh place in the league but have plenty of reason for optimism. It’s fair to say they have played one of, if not the, toughest schedule in the league. Including Sunday’s matchup, the Courage will have faced each of the top five teams in the standings through seven games. The team in sixth, Angel City FC, comes to town next week. The Courage lead the league in passing accuracy (78.2%), successful passes (2,139) and possession (57.6%) but their 39 shots are the fewest in the league. Converting that possession and ball control into dangerous opportunities is the next step for this young team. And they have shown improvement in recent weeks. The young squad has shown stretches of high-quality soccer and head coach Sean Nahas has preached the importance of learning how to win. There is no replicator for experience in that regard, which this young team is gaining by the minute.
The Matchup
The Courage have won nine of the 14 all-time meetings with OL Reign (2D, 3L). The tide has turned lately, with the Courage beating OL just twice in six meetings since 2019 (3L, 1D). The Reign swept the season series in 2022, including a 1-2 win at WakeMed Soccer Park last September. Eight of the nine wins have come in NWSL regular season play, which is one shy of the Courage highest against an individual opponent, having beat three teams nine times in regular season action.
Scouting OL Reign
The Reign are second in league play in goals (12) and assists (8) through six games. They are extremely efficient in their attack, scoring the dozen goals on just 54 shots. Six different players have scored, led by Bethany Balcer and Jess Fishlock with three apiece. They’re a tenacious group that wreaks havoc all over the field, winning more than half of both their tackles and duels this season. Balcer and Fishlock both win over 60% of duels. Fishlock also has 63% tackle success. Nine players on the Reign win at least 60% of their duels and five hit the same threshold in tackling. This experienced and aggressive roster will look to pounce on mistakes and are very opportunistic. Limiting mistakes will be key for the Courage to have success on Sunday.
Players to Watch
NC Courage: #20 Olivia Wingate The sixth overall pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft is starting to get herself acclimated to the professional game. With tremendous pace and skill both on and off the ball, Wingate can impact a game either in a starting role or a burst of energy off the bench. She recorded her first two professional points last week, notching assists in both the midweek Challenge Cup match with Gotham and a highlight-reel dime for the 70’ go-ahead goal against Portland. The Notre Dame product continues to develop and provide depth on the right wing. She’s shown the ability, now looks for consistency as the Courage continue to search for the right attacking combinations among a plethora of talented forwards. OL Reign: #10 Jess Fishlock Fishlock is a tone-setter and full embodiment of the Reign as a true two-way midfielder with a work rate second to none. She’s scored three goals this season and ranks ninth all-time in NWSL history with 41 for her career. A staple of the Reign and NWSL, she’s played the fifth-most NWSL regular season games (169) and third-most minutes (14,541). Her tackle success is off the charts at 73% since 2016, when Opta began tracking the stat. This season, her 64.4% duel success is on pace to be her best yet, although she’s been above 50% in every season except 2019 (49%). That season, she posted an eye-popping 83% duel success rate.
Next Up
The Courage wrap up the home stand as they host Angel City FC on Saturday, May 20, at 7:00 p.m. ET. The game will stream live on Paramount+ and Tickets for the last chance to see the Courage on their home field for nearly a month can be purchased [here](https://www.ticketmaster.com/north-carolina-courage-vs-angel-city-cary-north-carolina-05-20-2023/event/2D005E5BDC658CC9?utm_source=sendinblue&utm_campaign=PREVIEW NCC vs RGN 514&utm_medium=email).
