Preview: KC NWSL at NC Courage

Match Info:

Who: North Carolina Courage vs. Kansas City

When: Saturday, August 21 at 6 p.m. CT

Where: Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park Cary, NC

Watch: Paramount+

Listen: N/A

The North Carolina Courage (9-3-2, 24 pts) play host to Kansas City NWSL (1-9-4, 7 pts) Saturday evening. Kansas City will be hoping to continue their success after earning their first win when they beat the OL Reign 1-0 on August 14^th when Victoria Pickett scored her first professional goal. North Carolina is in second place and have won their last two games (both 1-0) and are undefeated in their last four.

Kansas City manager Huw Williams has been remaking his roster the last few weeks. Kansas City acquired forwards Kristen Hamilton, Hailie Mace and keeper Katelyn Rowland from North Carolina in exchange for Amy Rodriguez.

They followed up with another blockbuster trade earlier this week when they acquired United States Women’s National Team goalkeeper Adrianna Franch in exchange for Abby Smith and $150,000 in allocation money.

Franch is one of the premier keepers in the league and has played eight matches for the U.S. National Team, including the Bronze Medal winning game in the 2020 Olympics.

While Kansas City has refurbished their roster, North Carolina has Lynn Williams and Sam Mewis back from the Olympics. Mewis is not expected to be available, but Williams will be a threat to Kansas City. Williams scored 4 goals in her last two matches with the Courage and will be part of a strong attack with Rodriguez and Jessica McDonald.

These two teams played on July 23^rd, the day after the big trade. Kansas City and the Courage both had opportunities but ended up in a scoreless draw.

Availability:

The injury reports were not available at the time of publishing.