Riding the high of its recent 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup Championship title, the NC Courage looks to hoist another trophy ahead of the NWSL playoffs this Sunday, Oct. 22 at WakeMed Soccer Park.
This is the first time since 2021 that the Courage will play in this single-elimination tournament which includes six teams in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and will ultimately determine the winner of the 2023 Ally NWSL Championship.
Kicking off on home turf at 7 p.m., the quarterfinal match against NJ/NY Gotham FC will settle who will play the Portland Thorns at the semifinal game at Providence Park in Portland on Sunday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m.
Our No. 3 seeded home team sits on the heels of No. 1 seed San Diego Wave FC and No. 2 seed Portland Thorns FC.
But let’s talk hardware — the Courage has secured three NWSL Shields, two Challenge Cup Championships, and two NWSL Championships. Hoping to make this year a hat trick, the last time we were crowned champions was in 2019.
Paving the way is forward Kerolin, who is the second leading goal scorer in the NWSL with 10 goals and five assists, while the Courage holds down the No. 5 most goals in the league with 29 in total.
Other standouts to cheer on during the tournament are goalkeeper Casey Murphy, midfielders Denise O’Sullivan + Narumi Miura and defenders Emily Fox + Kaleigh Kurtz.
Score tickets ($15+) for the quarterfinal, but if you can’t get loud for our home team in person, you can watch the game on CBS Sports Network.
The NWSL Championship will be aired from San Diego on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 8 p.m.
