The North Carolina Courage (5-5-3) host the San Diego Wave FC (7-3-3) in a pivotal NWSL regular season clash on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, NC. With playoff implications intensifying, both teams enter this matchup with momentum and star power, making this one of the most anticipated fixtures of the weekend.
Match Details
Fixture: North Carolina Courage vs. San Diego Wave FC
Date: Saturday, August 2, 2025
Kickoff: 7:30 PM ET
Venue: First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park (Cary, NC)
Broadcast: ION
Team Form & Standings
| Team | Record | Points | Last 5 Matches | League Position |
| North Carolina Courage | 5W-5L-3D | 18 pts | W-W-L-L-W | 9th |
| San Diego Wave FC | 7W-3L-3D | 24 pts | D-W-L-W-W | 3rd |
Courage: Riding a two-game win streak, including a comeback 2–1 victory over Houston Dash.
Wave FC: Unbeaten in four straight road games, last played to a 0–0 draw vs. Washington Spirit.
Key Players to Watch
North Carolina Courage
Manaka Matsukubo 🇯🇵
Leads team with 4 goals and 4 assists
Goal contribution in 5 straight matches
One of only three U-20 players in NWSL history with such a streak
Jaedyn Shaw
Former Wave FC forward
Scored equalizer vs. Houston Dash in last match
Hannah Betfort
Scored game-winner vs. Houston
Strong aerial presence in the box
San Diego Wave FC
Delphine Cascarino 🇫🇷
Leads NWSL in assists (8)
UEFA Goal of the Tournament winner
Tied Alex Morgan’s club assist record
Adriana Leon 🇨🇦
Team-leading 4 goals
Scored twice in last meeting vs. Courage
Perle Morroni & Kenza Dali 🇫🇷
Combined for 16 goal contributions this season
Key to San Diego’s midfield control and wide play
Tactical Preview
North Carolina Courage will look to control possession and build through midfield, relying on Matsukubo’s creativity and Shaw’s movement.
San Diego Wave FC will press high and exploit the flanks with Cascarino and Morroni, aiming to feed Leon inside the box.
Expect a fast-paced match with both teams capable of scoring in transition and on set pieces.
Head-to-Head History
| Matchup | Result |
| May 25, 2025 | San Diego 5–2 North Carolina |
| 2024 Series | North Carolina swept (4–1 away, 2–1 home) |
| All-Time | San Diego leads 3W-2L-2D |
Final Thoughts
This NWSL Week 14 showdown between North Carolina Courage and San Diego Wave FC is more than a midseason match—it’s a battle for playoff positioning and momentum. With Matsukubo’s creativity and Cascarino’s elite form, expect fireworks on both ends of the pitch. San Diego holds the edge in form and firepower, but the Courage’s home-field advantage and recent surge make this a must-watch clash.
MATCH ODDS
North Carolina Courage + 190 Draw + 200 San Diego Wave FC + 130
Over 2.5 + 100 Under 2.5 – 155
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, August 1, 2025
