Match Info:
North Carolina Courage at NJ/NY Gotham FC
Sunday, April 3 at 3 p.m. ET
Red Bull Arena
CARY, NC (April 1, 2022) – The undefeated North Carolina Courage will look to take all three points as they face off with NJ/NY Gotham FC Sunday, April 3, at 3 p.m. ET. The fourth match of the Courage’s 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup campaign will be streamed live on Paramount+ and Twitch (internationally). The Courage, 2-0-1 in group-stage play thus far, sit comfortably atop the East Division standings with seven points. Gotham is second, with four points.
Playing their second of three matches this week, the Courage got off to a very strong start in Wednesday’s clash with the reigning NWSL Champion Washington Spirit. Debinha, fresh from a quick trip back to Brazil, scored in just the fifth minute off a ball deflected by Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury. The save fell into the path of Debinha, who then buried her shot into the lower 90 on her first touch. The Courage’s Taylor Smith netted the Courage’s second goal of the night with a classic feed from defender Carson Pickett. The tally marked Smith’s first in a Courage jersey.
“You have to give Taylor a lot of credit for how far she’s come over the last two years and the work she’s put in both on and off the field to get there,” said Head Coach Sean Nahas. “It’s always good to get rewarded for that, it’s a matter of being consistent.”
Despite a dominant first-half performance from the Courage, the Spirit were able to tie it up 2-2 and both teams walked away with a point in the standings.
The Courage officially welcomed Kerolin Nicoli to the squad, as she arrived from Brazil this week and joined the team on the road. Kerolin will be available for Sunday’s match against Gotham. Additional roster updates include Kaitlin Fregulia being placed on the 45-day injured reserve list as she recovers from a left knee injury.
Where to Watch: Paramount+, Twitch (Internationally)
Players to Watch Presented by JubliaRX.com
North Carolina Courage - #4 Carson Pickett
A staple of the Courage’s backline over the last year and change, defender Carson Pickett has hit her stride as both a defensive force and a playmaker. Pickett, who was named a finalist for 2021 NWSL Defender of the Year, has two assists in the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup thus far and leads the Courage in passes attempted (196) and interceptions (11).
NJ/NY Gotham FC - #23 Midge Purce
Gotham forward Midge Purce has become one of the most prolific goalscorers for both her club and the US Women’s National Team, and again proved her prowess in Gotham’s last match, scoring the lone goal in the 86th minute of a 1-0 win over Orlando. Thus far, Purce is the only Gotham FC player to score in open play in the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup.
Up Next: The North Carolina Courage will continue Challenge Cup group stage play as they visit the Orlando Pride on Saturday, April 16, at 7 p.m. ET. The match will stream live on Paramount+.
