WakeMed Soccer Park | Cary, North Carolina – Saturday, September 2 at 7:30 PM ET
Players to watch:
North Carolina forward Kerolin delivered an assist in her return from the Women’s World Cup as North Carolina drew on Sunday. That helper takes her to five assists in her NWSL career, with all five coming at home. Only Meleana Shim (8) has more career NWSL assists with all of them coming at home than Kerolin.
Gotham attacker Yazmeen Ryan led all Gotham players in shots on target against Louisville with three and tied for the team lead with five total shots. The occasion marked Ryan’s 59th career match in all NWSL competitions and her first time having three or more shots on target.
Match facts: As the push for the NWSL Playoffs continues, the North Carolina Courage host Gotham FC at WakeMed Soccer Park in the first of two games on Saturday night. The Courage are in a two-way tie for 2nd-place in the NWSL standings with the San Diego Wave, with both teams on 27 points from 17 games played. Just below North Carolina is Gotham, who sits in 4th place with 26 points from 17 games played.
Despite defender Emily Fox’s red card in the 21st minute, which was originally a yellow card before VAR review, the Courage were able to earn a point in a 1-1 draw with Chicago last weekend. In the match, North Carolina became just the second NWSL team to both earn a red card and miss a penalty kick in the same regular season game (FC Kansas City vs. Portland in 2016). Kerolin had been given an opportunity to put the hosts ahead late on, but she sent her spot kick wide of the frame of goal in a missed chance for a late winner.
Meanwhile, Gotham FC played to its third scoreless draw of the season on Sunday against Louisville, with only Houston having more 0-0 matches this season (4). In 2022, Gotham did not play a single match that ended scoreless, but Saturday’s visitors will be glad for their respective position in the table at this stage this season compared to last.
Gotham FC is unbeaten in all three meetings in all competitions this season with North Carolina (W2 D1). Prior to this season, Gotham had never gone three straight matches without a loss against the Courage.
