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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (May 11, 2024) – The North Carolina Courage wrap up a three-match road swing as they visit the new CPKC Stadium to face the NWSL leading Kansas City Current this Sunday, May 12, for a 6 p.m. ET kickoff. The match will stream live on NWSL+.
North Carolina looks to rebound after a tough double-match week at Orlando then Gotham FC. While they did not get a result, the team showed marked improvement in the latter match, reigniting the form that earned them wins in four of the first six contests of 2024. North Carolina enters the weekend in sixth place in the NWSL table with a 4-4-0 record for 12 points with a +2-goal differential.
Playing in the most competitive professional women’s league in the world can make for tough stretches, and this three-match road swing against the two teams atop the table and defending champions is about as big a test this league can pose. Zoom wider to find that the Courage are amid a stretch of six of eight contests away from home, playing at WakeMed Soccer Park just twice between April 28 and June 14.
The culture built in the Courage locker room is a massive reason for confidence that this team will respond and endure. There were plenty of signs of just that in the valiant effort in Harrison, New Jersey last Saturday.
Kansas City is one of two remaining undefeated teams in the NWSL, sitting 5-0-3 for 18 points and a +9-goal differential. After winning five of their first six contests, Kansas City has played to back-to-back road draws at Houston then Seattle leading into this weekend’s affair.
The Current lead all teams in goals (21), shots (156), and shots on target (65). The vaunted attack is led by two international signees this offseason in reigning NWSL Player of the Month Bia Zaneratto and 25-year-old Temwa Chawinga. Both have taken the league by storm, combining for nine goals, six assists and 31 chances created.
Veteran Vanessa DiBernardo has also had a strong start to 2024 with three goals and a league-high five assists. Superstar midfielder Debinha suffered an injury in the season opener, but returned two weeks ago and is building back in to add to the Current firepower.
The Courage look to get a road result and knock off the league leaders this weekend to get a win on the field, but the temperament and mindset of this team amid one of the toughest stretches has already been a win. That will be crucial as the season progresses.
