Key Transactions
The Courage recently traded forward Kristen Hamilton, goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland and midfielder Hailie Mace in exchange for Kansas City striker Amy Rodriguez. Rodriguez joins the Courage with two goals on the season, including KC’s lone goal against the Pride earlier in the year. Rodriguez won the NWSL Championship with FC Kansas City in 2014 and 2015, scoring in both matches to secure the victories. The Courage also signed midfielder Caeley Lordemann as a National Team Replacement Player.
Recent Form
North Carolina enter Saturday’s matchup currently on a three-game winless streak, beginning with the team’s 2-0 defeat at the hands of the Spirit, followed by a 2-1 loss to the Dash and most recently a scoreless draw against KC. The Courage have only recorded one goal over those three matches.
Who’s Hot
North Carolina’s goalkeeper Casey Murphy has recorded five clean sheets this season, including one against Kansas City last weekend where she tallied six saves to hold the opposition scoreless. Carson Pickett leads North Carolina with three assists and Jess McDonald is close behind with two in addition to two goals thus far in the season.
Head-to-Head
This Saturday's outing will serve as the third matchup between the Pride and Courage during the regular season. The season record is currently split at a road victory apiece for each team. During the first clash of the season, the Pride beat the Courage in North Carolina 2-1 for the Courage’s first home defeat in 1,071 days. Both Sydney Leroux and Alex Morgan scored in the affair.
Rasmussen Fun Fact
Orlando’s Interim Head Coach Becky Burleigh has coached three current players on the Pride and Courage rosters. The Pride’s Erika Tymrak, class of 2012, Meggie Dougherty Howard, class of 2016 and North Carolina’s Havana Solaun, class of 2014 all played under Burleigh at the University of Florida and made appearances in the NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament each year that Tymrak, Dougherty Howard and Soluan were Gators.
