NWSL: Washington Spirit at North Carolina Courage

Washington Spirit Looks to End Three-Game Skid, North Carolina Prepares for Title Defense

Washington Spirit

* Record: 3-8-3 (12 points) * Last Match: 2-1 loss to Orlando Pride * Key Players: Ashley Hatch, Trinity Rodman, Andi Sullivan The Washington Spirit have endured a challenging start to the 2023 NWSL season, losing three consecutive matches. They will look to end their skid on Saturday when they visit the reigning champions, North Carolina Courage.

North Carolina Courage

* Record: 7-4-2 (23 points) * Last Match: 1-0 win over Gotham FC * Key Players: Debinha, Kerolin, Lynn Williams The North Carolina Courage are off to a solid start in their title defense, sitting third in the league standings and coming off a narrow win over Gotham FC. They will look to continue their momentum at home against the Spirit.

Match Preview

The matchup between Washington and North Carolina is expected to be a competitive one. The Spirit will need to find a way to slow down the Courage's dynamic attack, led by Debinha and Kerolin. The Courage, in turn, will need to be wary of the Spirit's counterattacking threat, particularly with Trinity Rodman and Ashley Hatch. One key factor in the match could be the absence of North Carolina defender Abby Dahlkemper, who is currently on international duty with the United States. Her absence could open up opportunities for the Spirit's forwards. The match will be played at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina, on Saturday, June 24, at 7:30 pm ET. It will be televised on Paramount+ and streamed on Twitch.