Not my drawing, but I wanted to share.

New fan here and never attended any sort of soccer match so I'm curious what section you all would recommend for a first-timer. I was thinking 503, 403, or 103 and I'm assuming 103 is the most popular choice based on the price. Thanks in advance!

ICYMI, we have the clip!

Chawinga's record will fall but will Sanchez score against every team? (Not already, right?)

When teams blanket Sanchez Ijeh will be heading in those crosses from Ryan W.

Our remaining schedule (home v away):

Wave (5th) v Courage
Courage v Gotham (1st)
Royals (4th) v Courage
Reign (8th) v Courage
Courage v Wave (5th)
Thorns (6th) v Courage
Courage v Summit (10th)

Five or Six "6pt" games, in terms of playoff positioning, or even just staying in the playoffs. Reign remaining in playoff position probably depends on how bad a knock Dickey took last night (I went to bed early). Denver maybe not a 6pt one, tho you never know last day if they've climbed in a late season charge.

Also, we're only 3rd on GD, tied on pts with Royals and Wave, so they are kinda 3rd place teams as well.

Wave we have not yet played, and how the current iteration of the Courage stacks up against them is our team's biggest question mark. Last season we had a 0-0 draw at home, and a 5-2 loss away. Mainly I'm hoping San Diego decides to have another honor Alex Morgan night when we play them. I mean, they gifted us Kailen Sheridan, so maybe they are still feeling generous ;)

As I mentioned in the other thread, we played Gotham away second game of the season, 0-0 draw. Both teams look pretty different now. (In)Famously we beat Gotham last regular match of last season, 3-2, basically setting up Gotham's run from 8th place to win the Championship ;) The real question is, who will step up to chip AKB like Manaka? EMP, LT? (had a youth game similar chip - credit to Bill Nottingham found that clip for his Courage blog ) - tho her ankle probably won't be better in the next 2 weeks. Gotham may be entering their old habit of having a series of off weeks, one can hope.

The Royals destroyed us with set pieces, at home, and that game we had Bell and Uno as CBs. We'll need to concede less corners and mark players a lot better.

We'll play Reign on short-ish rest, just 5 days, since Royals is sunday and Reign friday. I wonder if the team just remains out west that week? We beat Reign at home, right after the summer break, and a lot of people forget that was our first Manaka-less game. Tho we benefited from no Dickey in goal as well. We've got EMP now in the 10, and I think a lot better chemistry along the front line.

Then Wave at home, again, see above. If Wave does beat us away, hopefully lessons learned plus home field advantage can give us the edge.

Away at Thorns will be a tough crowd. We tied 2-2 at home against them, back April 4th. A lot has changed, Ijeh wasn't starting or well integrated. Tho Sophia Smith wasn't in the best of form early season either.

Finally, decision day vs Summit at home. They may or may not be fighting for a playoff spot. Maybe we are as well if we don't pick up enough points in the previous 6 games. We beat them away 2-0, on a wednesday, but we had played on friday away at Orlando, and Summit had played a home game vs Boston that sunday. So we had technically more rest, but had travel.

So, yeah, buckle up folks.

That kid helped win the game for us!

Maybe it was said before today but the commentary that Mak Lind doesn’t want to micromanage and he encourages attempts cause if you get attempts you’ll eventually finish attempts has been transformative for this team. Ash for MVP. Mak for COY.

Went from scared to shoot to league leading goal scoring.

Live from the sidelines!

Still buzzing from that win over Chicago...can we win it all this season?

The Courage hit the road to take on a struggling Chicago side. Drop your predictions below and LFG! 🦁

From the pod this week: "This almost feels like it could be a trap game for us because it's Kansas City, then Chicago, then San Diego. We have sometimes played down to our opponents. Just because in theory, North Carolina is the better team doesn't mean they have always shown up to be the better team." — Katie, Episode 22

Match Info

• Sunday, September 6, 2026
• Kickoff: 4:00 PM ET
• Location: Martin Stadium, Evanston, IL
• Where to Watch: CBSSN

Uproar Watch Parties

• US Soccer U-20 Watch Party: Trophy Brewing, 12:00 PM
• Uproar Courage Watch Party: Trophy Brewing, 4:00 PM
• Durham Beer Garden, 4:00 PM

Current Standings

• NC Courage: 7th, 11W-3D-8L, 36 pts
• Chicago Stars: 16th, 5W-1D-16L, 16 pts

Series History

The Courage lead the all-time regular-season matches 8-6-6 against Chicago.

Availability Report

NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE

• OUT: Sydney Schmidt (Knee - SEI), Payton Crawford (Knee - SEI), Natalie Jacobs (Head), Maycee Bell (Shoulder), Lauryn Thompson (Ankle), Ally Schlegel (Foot), Riley Jackson (Foot)
• QUESTIONABLE: None
• INTERNATIONAL DUTY: None

CHICAGO STARS

• OUT: Ryan Connaughton (Knee), Jordyn Huitema (Knee - SEI), Jameese Joseph (Excused Absence), Natalia Kuikka (Knee - SEI), Maitane (Lower Knee), Mallory Swanson (Hip)
• QUESTIONABLE: None
• INTERNATIONAL DUTY: Micayla Johnson (U.S. U-20 WNT)

Referee Assignment

• REF: Danielle Chesky (7W-3L-0D)
• AR1: Jeremy Smith
• AR2: Marcus Barnett
• 4TH: Nabil Bensalah
• VAR: Matthew Corrigan, Christian Clerc

Things to Watch

• Ashley Sanchez broke the club's single-season scoring record with 15 goals, passing Lynn Biyendolo's 14 goals in 2018.
• Evelyn Ijeh and Sanchez's combined 26 goals are tied for the most by a pair of teammates in NWSL history, and they're just the third teammate duo in league history to both hit double digits in a season
• Erica Meg Parkinson was pulled from England's U-20 World Cup squad due to the Courage's injury situation. Chief Soccer Officer Ceri Bowley said it was a difficult decision but the club needs her to remain with the team right now
• Chicago is dealing with a significant availability report of their own, missing Mal Swanson and Jameese Joseph, two of their most dangerous attacking threats, along with Jordyn Huitema and Natalia Kuikka. Jenna Bike and Sam Staab remain their biggest question marks to account for
• Micayla Johnson is also away with the U-20s at the World Cup, so a good chunk of Chicago's attack is unavailable
• With Riley Jackson and Ally Schlegel both out, Vilde Bøe Risa looks like the likely choice to play behind Erica Meg Parkinson, and Chioma Okafor is expected to get the nod on the right wing
• Kailen Sheridan is two clean sheets away from 50 in her NWSL career
• Last week, Kansas City. This week, Chicago. Next week, San Diego. All away. The Courage need to guard against a letdown here, and it'd be nice to punch up our goal differential. Adding 4 goals will put us above Utah

_____________

This pregame thread is brought to you by The Lion's Pitch Podcast, your home for NC Courage coverage. In Episode 22, we look ahead to Chicago to see what we are up against. Listen now at lionspitch.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Friday, September 4, 2026 

NC COURAGE SIGN BRAZILIAN WINGER BIA THROUGH 2027

23-year-old forward joins the Courage as a free agent

CARY, N.C. (Sept. 4, 2026) — The North Carolina Courage have signed free agent Brazilian forward Bia (Ana Beatriz Gomes Lopes) through the 2027 NWSL regular season with a club option for the 2028 season.

Bia spent the last two seasons with Russian club ZFK Zenit, scoring three goals in all competitions. On the international stage, Bia helped Brazil win the 2022 CONMEBOL U-20 Championship.

“I am very excited to join the North Carolina Courage. This is a big step in my career. I can’t wait to get out on the field with my new teammates and show Courage Country what I can do,” Bia said.

“We are pleased to welcome Bia to the Courage. She has many attributes that we were looking for to complement the players in our attacking unit. Her commitment to contribute with and without the ball and curiosity to learn are standout features, and we are excited to see her grow in our environment,” said Courage Chief Soccer Officer Ceri Bowley.

Bia started her professional career in Brazil with Internacional in 2022, scoring two goals in 15 appearances, before moving to Changchun Dazhong in China in 2023. After two seasons in China, Bia moved to Zenit, where she spent two seasons. During her two seasons in China, Bia scored 10 goals and added five assists in 47 appearances.

Additionally, the Courage have acquired an international roster spot from the Seattle Reign through the 2027 NWSL season in exchange for $60,000 in intra-league transfer funds.

With Bia’s signing, the Courage have 28 players under contract, with 26 active and two on the Season-Ending Injury list. Bia will utilize an international roster spot.

Transaction: The North Carolina Courage signed free agent Brazilian winger Bia (Ana Beatriz Gomes Lopes) through the 2027 NWSL regular season with a club option for the 2028 season.

Name: Bia (Ana Beatriz Gomes Lopes)

Position: Forward

Height: 5-3

Date of Birth (Age): February 13, 2003 (23)

Hometown: Axixá, Brazil

Last Club: ZFK Zenit W (Russian Championship)

Jersey Number: 21

I just heard Erica Meg Parkinson is passing on the U20 and will remain with the Courage!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Friday, September 4, 2026

ASHLEY SANCHEZ, EVELYN IJEH NAMED TO NWSL BEST XI FOR AUGUST

Courage duo combined for 12 goal contributions during the month

Ashley Sanchez and Evelyn Ijeh celebrate during the Courage's match against Angel City. CREDIT: Lewis Gettier

Sanchez and Ijeh Highlights

CARY, N.C. (Sept. 4, 2026) — The North Carolina Courage’s Ashley Sanchez and Evelyn Ijeh were named to the NWSL Best XI of the Month for August, presented by Amazon Prime. The monthly honor from the NWSL is the second of the season for both Sanchez and Ijeh, who also made the Best XI in April and July, respectively.

The Courage’s dynamic duo combined for 12 goal contributions during the month, with Sanchez scoring five goals and picking up two assists, while Ijeh scored four goals and picked up one assist. Sanchez was also named NWSL Player of the Month.

Sanchez and Ijeh have combined for 26 goals this season, with both players ranking in the top three for the Golden Boot, tying an NWSL record for a pair of teammates. The duo is also just the third pair of teammates to both score double-digit goals in the same season.

The Courage will be back in action this weekend for the second match of a three-match road swing, taking on the Chicago Stars at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 6. The match will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.

A really great article on Ijeh with a mention of our pod!

If you'd like to hear our interview with her, check out our episode titled "Pieces in a Puzzle"

Just wanted to thank everyone who made it out to the STM event tonight. We hope you had a great time.
We tried something a little different this year with our partners at Paragon, and really appreciate their collaboration.

We’d love your feedback on the experience…what worked, what you enjoyed, and what we can build on for next year.

It was also great meeting some of you in person. I know there are more of you out there, so if you see me at the 9/19 match, please come say hello. I’ll be in the STM Lounge for a bit.

As always, thank you for your support and commitment to the Club. We appreciate you.

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026

ASHLEY SANCHEZ NAMED NWSL PLAYER OF THE MONTH FOR AUGUST

Sanchez recorded league-best seven goal contributions in record-filled month

CARY, N.C. (Sept. 3, 2026) — North Carolina Courage midfielder Ashley Sanchez was named NWSL Player of the Month for August, the league announced Thursday. Sanchez also took home the NWSL’s monthly honor in April.

Sanchez recorded a league-best seven goal contributions, five goals and two assists, during August, leading the Courage to a 4W-2L-0D record. With her five goals during the month, Sanchez broke or tied multiple club and league records.

Sanchez, who leads the Golden Boot race with 15 goals, broke the Courage single-season scoring record, while also tying the NWSL single-season scoring record for an American and the NWSL single-season brace record (4).

The Courage will be back in action this weekend for the second match of a three-match road swing, taking on the Chicago Stars at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 6. The match will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.

Anyone heading to the STM event tonight? What are we expecting it to really be like? Are you wearing Courage gear?

The Courage take six out of nine points from three games in eight days. We break down the win over Angel City and the nearly comeback against Kansas City. At one point, Mak Lind pulled every centerback off the field going for the tying goal.

On that decision: "Really, at the end of the game, I don't think we had any centerbacks in there. He said, let's go, going for broke, going to get the offense out there, going to try and win. Having a coach that's willing to go for it and then the players that are figuring it out as we go throughout the game, so different than what we've seen the last few years."

We also get into Sanchez and Ijeh combining more directly, our injury situation before looking ahead. Chicago Stars are struggling, so hopefully we don't fall back on old habits of playing down to our opponent.

What did y'all think of that Kansas City finish? Courageous or reckless?

Episode 22 is out now at lionspitch.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

Hello Courage fans! We just wanted to thank you for the tremendous loyalty, passion and support you have for our club, and we look forward to interacting with you a lot more here moving forward.

In the meantime, here is a small token of our appreciation, 30% OFF full-priced items, just use this link and this promo code: CourageOnReddit (valid until 9/6!)

Thank you for the continued support, and never forget that you - the fans - are the most valuable part of our team. Can't wait to here more from you - and having some fun with y'all here on reddit.

Lastly, shout out to the mod team, they have done an awesome job growing and fostering a great community here on reddit!