Key Transactions
The North Carolina Courage recently signed Danish forward Rikke Madsen through 2023. Madsen joins the Courage from Madrid CFF, where she made 12 appearances and scored one goal for the Spanish club. Madsen also brings international playing experience to the Courage, having recorded 18 appearances and a goal for the Denmark women’s national team. Madsen made her first appearance for the Courage in their last game against OL Reign.
Recent Form
The Courage lost their most recent game to OL Reign by a score of 2-1. Prior to that loss, the team was riding a three-game winning streak that started back on Sept. 4 with a 1-0 win over NY/NJ Gotham FC. The Courage then went on to dominate Racing Louisville scoring five goals and earning all three points. North Carolina would make it three in a row with a 1-0 win over 2022 expansion side Angel City FC before having their streak snapped by the Reign.
Who’s Hot
Courage forward Diana Ordóñez has appeared in 17 games so far this regular season and has scored 11 goals. The rookie’s 11 goals are tied for the second most across the entire NWSL. Ordóñez has recorded a brace in three separate games this season, the most recent one coming in a 4-0 victory over the Chicago Red Stars back on August 20.
Head-to-Head
This will be the fourth and final matchup between the two sides across all competitions this season. The clubs met back in March and April during the NWSL Challenge Cup with the Courage wins in both. The teams clashed again in the regular season with the Pride coming out with a victory in the third matchup thanks to a game-winning goal from midfielder Mikayla Cluff. The goal served as her first professional goal.
Rasmussen University Fun Fact
The Courage have scored a goal in 11 consecutive matches, which is the longest active streak in the NWSL. As a team, they have scored 40 goals this season which is tied for the most in the NWSL with the Portland Thorns. North Carolina have tallied a league-leading 29 assists during the regular season.
