Match Preview: North Carolina Courage vs. OL Reign
WakeMed Soccer Park | Cary, North Carolina – Saturday, September 17 at 7:30 PM ET
Players to watch:
North Carolina forward Kerolin scored her side’s lone goal in a 1-0 win over Angel City in their last time out, which was assisted by fellow Brazilian and playmaker Debinha. Five different players have assisted on Kerolin goals this season with the only two players having been set up by more different players this season being teammate Diana Ordoñez (seven) and Portland’s Sophia Smith (six).
On the other side, in her five games since the beginning of August, OL Reign attacker Megan Rapinoe has four goals (tied for third-most in the league), four assists (tied for most) and 18 chances created (tied for second-most). In her five games prior to August this season, Rapinoe had no goals, no assists and just nine chances created. Joining Rapinoe on the scoresheet in their last three games has been midfielder Rose Lavelle, who has found the back twice in that span including an 80th minute equalizer against Chicago in the club’s last match.
Match facts: The North Carolina Courage welcome OL Reign to WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday night as the hosts look to win their fourth straight game, with the visiting Reign attempting to extend their unbeaten run to four games as well.
North Carolina won for the fifth time in its last six games (L1) with their narrow one-goal win over Angel City FC on Wednesday night. The lone goal also meant, though, that the Courage have now scored in 10 consecutive matches which serves as the longest active streak in the league. Across the entirety of the season, the Courage have been shut out just twice, the fewest in the league.
Meanwhile, the Reign attempted nine shots nine shots on target in their 2-2 draw with Chicago on Friday. The club has five games with at least that many shots on goal, tying them with Portland for most such games this season. Scoring in all of their last six games, with four of those being multi-goal games, the Reign still have not kept a clean sheet since their last meeting with North Carolina on July 2 when they defeated the Courage at home, 2-0.
Since the club’s founding in 2017, North Carolina has won all of six of its home games in league play against the Reign. The only team to ever win seven consecutive home games against a single opponent is the Reign themselves, who won seven straight at home against the Dash from 2014-2018.
