Durham Reporter

The North Carolina Courage are set to host Angel City FC at WakeMed Soccer Park this Saturday, October 12, with a kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The match will be broadcast domestically on ION, featuring commentary by JP Dellacamera and Jill Loyden.

This event marks the 'Pink the Park' initiative for Play4Kay day in collaboration with the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. The evening aims to honor those affected by cancer, including warriors, survivors, and thrivers. Additionally, a donation drive will be held outside the gates to collect supplies for residents of Western North Carolina still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Courage Head Coach Sean Nahas emphasized that performance is prioritized over results throughout the season. Despite their playoff position being almost secured, Nahas maintains this approach as they prepare for the weekend's game. Currently sitting in fifth place on the NWSL table with a record of 12-2-9 and 38 points, they remain eight points behind fourth place and six ahead of sixth place with three matches remaining.

In their recent victory, young players like Aline Gomes scored her first NWSL goal while Manaka Matsukubo returned from the U-20 World Cup to score a header that earned NWSL Goal of the Week honors. Kaleigh Kurtz received Save of the Week recognition for her late-game line clearance, while Casey Murphy contributed six significant saves following her Olympic return.

Angel City FC finds themselves in urgent need of points as they pursue a playoff spot. They currently stand 11th on the table with 22 points—six short of reaching eighth place for playoff qualification—and require all three points from this match to sustain their postseason aspirations.

Alyssa Thompson has been instrumental for Angel City recently, contributing five goals and two assists over seven games since late August. The team has won three out of its last four away matches and comes off a narrow victory against Seattle last week.

The Courage boast an undefeated home record this year with nine wins and two draws. Their overall unbeaten streak at home spans 20 regular-season games—a run that could soon challenge Seattle's all-time streak from 2014-15 if it continues through upcoming fixtures.

As Angel City arrives hungry for success on foreign soil amid single-season attendance records poised to fall at WakeMed Soccer Park—the Courage aim to leverage home-field advantage toward securing another positive result ahead of postseason play.