The North Carolina Courage and Seattle Reign are set to face off in an exciting NWSL matchup on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina. Both teams are looking to secure their first win of the season after drawing their respective season openers.
Team Overview
- North Carolina Courage (0-0-1): The Courage began their season with a 1-1 draw against Racing Louisville FC. Despite the rain-soaked conditions, they dominated possession, holding 67.8% of the ball—the third-highest possession total in club history. The Courage also outshot Louisville 15-13, showcasing their attacking intent. Head coach Sean Nahas will look to build on this performance as the team returns home, where they have been a dominant force in recent years.
- Seattle Reign (0-0-1): The Reign also started their season with a 1-1 draw, leveling the score against NJ/NY Gotham FC thanks to a second-half goal from Emeri Adams. Seattle boasts a talented roster, including Jordyn Huitema and Ji So-Yun, but they were without marquee offseason addition Lynn Williams in their opener due to a lower leg injury. The Reign will aim to capitalize on their offensive firepower to challenge the Courage.
Key Players to Watch
- North Carolina Courage:
- Riley Jackson: The U-20 USWNT star scored the Courage’s equalizer against Louisville and has been a bright spot in their attack.
- Casey Murphy: The goalkeeper made six standout saves in the opener, including multiple diving stops, and will look to continue her stellar form against her former team.
- Jaedyn Shaw: Making her Courage debut last week, Shaw showed promise and will be key to their midfield creativity.
- Seattle Reign:
- Emeri Adams: The young forward scored Seattle’s equalizer in their opener and will be a key attacking threat.
- Jordyn Huitema: The Canadian international is a proven goal scorer and will look to make an impact in this match.
- Ji So-Yun: The experienced midfielder provides creativity and composure in Seattle’s attack.
Recent Form
- North Carolina Courage: The Courage showed resilience and attacking intent in their opener, dominating possession and creating chances. They will look to replicate this performance at home, where they have been strong under Sean Nahas.
- Seattle Reign: The Reign displayed their offensive potential in their draw against Gotham FC but will need to tighten up defensively to secure a win on the road.
Game Dynamics
North Carolina’s possession-based style and home advantage make them favorites in this matchup. The Courage will look to control the tempo and create chances through Jackson and Shaw, while Seattle will rely on Huitema and Adams to exploit any defensive lapses. The midfield battle between Ji So-Yun and Jaedyn Shaw could be pivotal in determining the outcome.
