Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. PT
Venue: First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, North Carolina
TV/Stream: NWSL+
This late-season NWSL regular-season matchup pits second-place San Diego, already playoff-clinched and chasing a higher seed/Shield positioning, against a North Carolina side fighting to solidify its hold on a playoff berth (currently 8th, with teams close behind). The teams met earlier this season, with the Wave winning 2-1 at home on September 12.
Kickoff, Weather & Conditions
Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET. Forecast for Cary/Raleigh area: Cool and rainy early, with rain likely through the morning and into the early afternoon, then clearing or becoming partly cloudy by evening. Highs around 55–58°F, north winds 10–15+ mph (gusts higher earlier). By kickoff, expect temperatures in the low-to-mid 50s with diminishing rain chances, clearer skies overnight, and breezy conditions. The weather could make the pitch slick early and favor a more physical, lower-possession style if residual moisture remains.
Current Standings Context & Recent Form
San Diego Wave FC: 16 wins, 3 draws, 8 losses (51 points, +12 GD). Strong overall metrics including high possession and shots. Clinched a playoff berth with a 2-1 road win at Orlando on October 2 (goals from Lia Godfrey and Gia Corley). Recent form is excellent (multiple wins, strong away results). Key contributors include Trinity Byars (~10 goals) and rookie standout Lia Godfrey (6 goals, 5 assists).
North Carolina Courage: 13 wins, 3 draws, 11 losses (42 points, +11 GD). High-scoring attack (league-leading or near-top goals) but more defensive vulnerability. Recent form mixed (e.g., 1-0 win at Seattle on October 2, but losses in prior games including to Utah and Gotham). Ashley Sanchez is the standout with a league-leading ~20 goals, tying the single-season NWSL record and chasing the mark.
San Diego sits firmly in the top two/three conversation; North Carolina needs points to lock in the final playoff spots amid a crowded mid-table race.
Injury Reports
San Diego Wave FC
Season-ending or longer-term: Trinity Armstrong (knee – SEI), Dudinha (knee/ACL – SEI), Cat Macario (knee – SEI). Other earlier notes included Kiki Pickett (ankle) and occasional absences. Core attackers (Byars, Godfrey, Corley, Barcenas) and key midfield/defense (Dali, Wesley, McNabb, Morroni, Van Zanten) are generally available. Goalkeeper options include Sandra Paños.
North Carolina Courage:
Longer-term absences from earlier reports included players such as Maycee Bell (shoulder – SEI), Payton Crawford (knee – SEI), Sydney Schmidt (knee – SEI), and others (Natalie Jacobs head, Riley Jackson foot, Ally Schlegel foot, Lauryn Thompson ankle in prior windows). Ashley Sanchez and the primary attacking group appear available after the international window. Kailen Sheridan is the primary goalkeeper.
Key Players & Matchups (Current Rosters Emphasis)
North Carolina Courage key contributors:
Ashley Sanchez (midfielder/forward, ~20 goals – Golden Boot leader and record chaser; USWNT form).
Evelyn Ijeh and supporting attackers.
Shinomi Koyama (assists), Kailen Sheridan (GK), Ryan Williams, Felicitas Rauch, and midfield options like Erica Meg Parkinson or Riley Jackson.
San Diego Wave FC key contributors:
Trinity Byars (forward, ~10 goals + contributions).
Lia Godfrey (rookie midfielder/forward, 6 goals + 5 assists).
Gia Corley, Melanie Barcenas, Kenza Dali, Kimmi Ascanio, Kennedy Wesley, Kristen McNabb, Perle Morroni, Mimi Van Zanten, and GK Sandra Paños (or alternatives).
Notable head-to-heads/matchups:
Sanchez vs. San Diego’s backline (Wesley, McNabb, Morroni/Van Zanten) – elite scoring form against a solid defensive unit.
Byars/Godfrey/Corley creative and finishing axis vs. North Carolina’s midfield and defense.
Possession battle: San Diego typically higher possession and field tilt; North Carolina more transitional with Sanchez as the focal point.
Set pieces and individual quality in transition likely decisive, especially in cooler/breezy conditions. Goalkeeper duel (Sheridan vs. Paños) critical.
Series History
Competitive recent meetings. San Diego won the most recent (2-1 home on September 12, 2026). Prior results include draws and split outcomes (e.g., 0-0, 5-2 Wave win, 2-1 Courage win in earlier seasons). Overall H2H is relatively balanced in recent years, with both sides capable of high-scoring or tight results.
Betting Trends
Both sides capable of scoring; recent H2H mixed but Wave took the last meeting. High-event potential given attacking talent.
MATCH ODDS
San Diego Wave FC + 150
North Carolina Courage + 140
Draw + 250
Over 2.5 – 180 Under 2.5 + 120
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, October 16, 2026
