Fixtures

USA NWSL Women 03/30 23:00 3 North Carolina Courage Women vs Gotham FC Women - View
USA NWSL Women 04/13 23:00 4 North Carolina Courage Women vs Portland Thorns Women - View
USA NWSL Women 04/21 23:30 5 Angel City FC Women vs North Carolina Courage Women - View
USA NWSL Women 04/27 23:00 6 North Carolina Courage Women vs OL Reign Women - View
USA NWSL Women 05/01 23:00 7 Orlando Pride Women vs North Carolina Courage Women - View
USA NWSL Women 05/04 23:30 8 Gotham FC Women vs North Carolina Courage Women - View

Results

USA NWSL Women 03/23 01:30 2 [13] Utah Royals Women v North Carolina Courage Women [1] L 2-1
USA NWSL Women 03/16 23:00 1 [4] North Carolina Courage Women v Houston Dash Women [4] W 5-1
USA NWSL Women 10/22 23:00 3 [3] North Carolina Courage Women v Gotham FC Women [6] L 0-2
USA NWSL Women 10/15 21:00 22 [5] Washington Spirit Women v North Carolina Courage Women [3] W 0-1
USA NWSL Women 10/07 23:00 21 [5] North Carolina Courage Women v San Diego Wave Women [1] D 0-0
USA NWSL Women 10/02 00:00 20 [6] OL Reign Women v North Carolina Courage Women [5] D 1-1
USA NWSL Women 09/17 23:00 19 [10] Orlando Pride Women v North Carolina Courage Women [4] L 2-1
USA NWSL Challenge Cup Women 09/09 16:30 1 [1] North Carolina Courage Women v Racing Louisville FC Women [2] W 2-0
USA NWSL Challenge Cup Women 09/07 00:00 2 Kansas City Current Women v North Carolina Courage Women W 0-1
USA NWSL Women 09/02 23:30 18 [2] North Carolina Courage Women v Gotham FC Women [4] D 3-3
USA NWSL Women 08/27 18:00 17 [3] North Carolina Courage Women v Chicago Red Stars Women [12] D 1-1
USA NWSL Women 08/21 02:30 16 [2] Portland Thorns Women v North Carolina Courage Women [1] L 2-1

Stats

 TotalHomeAway
Matches played 32 16 16
Wins 14 8 6
Draws 8 6 2
Losses 10 2 8
Goals for 52 33 19
Goals against 32 13 19
Clean sheets 13 9 4
Failed to score 6 3 3

The North Carolina Courage is a professional women's soccer team based in Cary, North Carolina. It was founded on January 9, 2017, after Stephen Malik acquired National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) franchise rights from the Western New York Flash. The Courage is affiliated with the men's team North Carolina FC of the United Soccer League and plays its home games at the WakeMed Soccer Park.

In 2018, the Courage became the first team in NWSL history to win the Shield and the Championship in the same season. In 2019, the team became the first team to win the Championship on its home field.

History

2017

On January 9, 2017, the North Carolina Courage announced their formation as the relocated Western New York Flash, with a new home of Cary, North Carolina. The Courage officially hired Paul Riley, the Flash's coach prior to relocation, on January 30, 2017. The team played their first match, on April 15, 2017, against the Washington Spirit, and won 1–0 with a goal by McCall Zerboni. The Courage went on to win the 2017 NWSL Shield and advanced to the 2017 NWSL Championship after defeating the Chicago Red Stars 1–0 in the semifinals, but fell 1–0 to the Portland Thorns in the finals.

2018

In 2018, the Courage had the best season in NWSL history, losing just one of 26 games played during the season. The Courage also participated in and won the inaugural Women's International Champions Cup. Heather O'Reilly scored the only goal in the victory over Olympique Lyon. After clinching the NWSL Shield, the team defeated the Portland Thorns in the 2018 NWSL Championship 3–0. Jessica McDonald was named the NWSL Championship MVP after scoring two goals in the match.

2019

The Courage returned to the Women's International Champions Cup finals, but were defeated by returning finalists Olympique Lyon. The Courage were crowned NWSL Champions for the second consecutive season after defeating the Chicago Red Stars, 4–0 in the 2019 NWSL Championship held in Cary, North Carolina. Debinha was named the NWSL Championship MVP after scoring the fastest goal in NWSL Championship history. The team clinched the NWSL Shield for the third time in as many years on September 21 after defeating Utah Royals FC. The team had an overall record of 15–5–4.

2020

With the NWSL season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Courage participated in the inaugural 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup. They were defeated in the semifinals by Portland Thorns FC. The Courage also participated in the 2020 NWSL Fall Series, finishing in fifth place.

2021

On January 28, 2021, the club announced that professional tennis player Naomi Osaka had made an investment in the team. Osaka stated that she was inspired to take part ownership by those who had invested in her during her career, and that she wishes to "continue the legacy of women empowerment."

The Courage failed to qualify for the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup championship, falling one point short in the East Division to NJ/NY Gotham FC.

NWSL abuse scandal

On September 30, 2021, the club fired head coach Paul Riley after news of prior sexual abuse allegations emerged against him. The Courage replaced Riley with assistant Sean Nahas in the interim.

2022

On December 1, 2021, the Courage named former interim head coach Sean Nahas as head coach for the 2022 season.

The Courage won the East Division of the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup group stage, then defeated Kansas City Current in the knockout stage and Washington Spirit in the championship to win the tournament for the first time.

The Courage spent the first half of the 2022 season in last place, winning only two of its first 12 matches, losing six, and drawing four. Despite rallying to seven wins, two losses, and one draw in its final 10 matches of the season, the Courage finished the season in 7th place, behind Chicago Red Stars by one point, and missed the playoffs for the first time in its history.

2023

In 2023, the Courage were on top of the league standings in July but finished the season in 3rd place, falling in the first round of the playoffs to eventual champions Gotham. Forward Kerolin scored 10 goals and was named the NWSL MVP. The Courage won the NWSL Challenge Cup for the second year in a row.

The North Carolina Courage Women's soccer team is a professional women's soccer team based in Cary, North Carolina. The team was founded in 2017 and competes in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). The Courage have quickly established themselves as one of the top teams in the league, winning the NWSL Shield in 2017, 2018, and 2019, as well as the NWSL Championship in 2018 and 2019.

The team is known for its strong defense and high-scoring offense, led by players such as Lynn Williams, Debinha, and Crystal Dunn. The Courage play their home games at Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park, which has a capacity of 10,000 spectators. The team is owned by Steve Malik, who also owns the North Carolina FC men's soccer team.

The Courage have a strong commitment to community involvement and have partnered with organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club, the Special Olympics, and the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The team also has a youth academy program that provides opportunities for young girls to develop their soccer skills and pursue their dreams of playing at the professional level. Overall, the North Carolina Courage Women's soccer team is a dominant force in the NWSL and a source of pride for soccer fans in North Carolina and beyond.