LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 26, 2023) — The North Carolina Courage begin a four-match road swing as they venture into America’s heartland to face Racing Louisville FC this Saturday, May 27, at Lynn Family Stadium. The match kicks off at 8:00 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network with JP Dellacamera and Jordan Angeli on the call.
The Courage are riding a four-match unbeaten streak in regular season play and have lost just once in their last seven overall competitions. Continuing to learn a new style of play implemented this off-season, this young and new-look Courage team continues to focus on the process and team and individual improvement. The team continues to lead the NWSL in possession, passing accuracy, successful passes and possessional passes. While the team ranks near the bottom of the league in shots and goals scored, only two teams have conceded fewer goals than the Courage. Head coach Sean Nahas has been open about the degree of difficulty in finding the finishing touch. The Courage have shown improvement in that regard in recent weeks. This team has established an identity and is on the verge of something special.
The Matchup
The Courage are a perfect 6-0-0 against Racing Louisville in lifetime meetings, five of which have come in the regular season. The Courage went 2-0 last year, including a 5-1 home result in September. Racing Louisville joined the NWSL in 2021 with the Courage going 3-0-0 against the expansion club that season. This is the first meeting of 2023 between two clubs that shook up the NWSL with a blockbuster off-season trade. The Courage acquired U.S. Women’s National Team rising star Emily Fox, the former first-overall pick in 2021, from Louisville in February in exchange for a pair of veteran defenders in longtime captain Abby Erceg and NWSL Best XI performer Carson Pickett. Fox, who was named to the first monthly NWSL Best XI of 2023 for the Courage, makes her first trip to Louisville as a visitor. Erceg, who had been the Courage captain from the club’s first year in North Carolina until the trade, faces the club for the first time since. This was the second straight off-season in which these clubs executed a trade. The Courage sent Jessica McDonald to Louisville for a first-round pick ahead of the 2022 draft. These two clubs are very familiar with each other are also both out-performing preseason external expectations. Saturday’s match is bustling with storylines, but what happens between the lines could have major implications down the road.
Scouting Louisville
Racing won three of their last four matches last season, which seemed insignificant as they were well out of playoff contention. They built off that momentum, and a strong off-season, to put together an encouraging start to 2023. Currently seventh in the NWSL standings, they’ve picked up their first two wins of the season in back-to-back clean sheet victories to ride momentum into Saturday. The recent defensive form has come into view after just one clean sheet through the first six matches of the season. Adding solid back line play in the off-season and some serious firepower up top, Louisville has the pieces to be a team to watch in this league. Starting at the top, Savannah DeMelo is a human highlight reel. Her three goals and two assists lead the Racing attack while Kirsten Davis has added a pair of goals and Ary Borges continues to create dangerous chances. Defensively, they’ve pitched three clean sheets and allowed nine goals, even with the Courage for the second-fewest concessions. The defending starts with strong midfield play from captain Jaelin Howell, who’s tackles and duels are both above 55% and her 18 interceptions lead the team. Erceg has filled the hole at center back, winning 60% of tackles and 70% of duels while also leading the club with 34 clearances and passing at 88% for the season.
Players to Watch
NC Courage: #1 Casey Murphy Casey Murphy has been vocal about the off-season work she put in and her personal expectations for club and country in a World Cup year. So far, she’s showcased that hard work and preparation. She made a season-high seven saves against Portland, a win-saving, highlight-reel stop against OL Reign, and pitched her second straight shutout in the draw with Angel City last week. She’s set to become the first Courage goalkeeper to ever play 50 regular season games with the club the next time she takes the field. Her 21 clean sheets for the Courage are a club record and her 27 overall in her NWSL career leave her three shy of becoming just the fourth keeper in league history to reach the 30 milestone. Racing Louisville: #1 Katie Lund In a match with two growing offenses and solid defenses, this one may come down to which goalkeeper comes up biggest. Katie Lund has been rock-solid for Louisville, not only saving 80% of the shots she’s faced, but making some critical late-game stops that have prevented draws from turning into losses. The 26-year-old Texas native has made a league-high 35 saves this year and has the second highest save percentage in the NWSL. For this Courage team that is still finding their consistency in the final third, solving Lund will be a major challenge.
Next Up
The Courage continue their road swing as they make the return trip to Kansas City to finish the season series with the Current next Saturday, June 3, at 8:30 p.m. ET. The Courage won the first meeting, 1-0, in the season-opener back on March 25. The match will stream live on Paramount+ and regional viewers will have other viewing options yet to be announced.
