2025 North Carolina Courage season

Last updated

North Carolina Courage
2025 season
Managing Owner Steve Malik
Club President Francie Gottsegen
Head Coach Nathan Thackeray (acting)
Stadium Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park
Cary, North Carolina
(Capacity: 10,000)
NWSL Regular Season 9th
Top goalscorer Manaka Matsubuko (4)
Highest home attendance9,366
(May 10 vs ORL)
Lowest home attendance6,235
(Apr 26 vs KC)
Average home league attendance7,674
←  2024
2026  →
All statistics correct as of November 9, 2024.

The 2025 North Carolina Courage season is the team's ninth season as a professional women's soccer team. The Courage played in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the top tier of women's soccer in the United States. They reached the mid-season break just outside of a playoff spot, in ninth place - tied on points with eighth-place Gotham FC with 18, but losing the first tiebreaker, goal differential, with a -2 GD compared to Gotham's +5 GD.

Contents

Background

In the 2024 National Women's Soccer League season, the Courage were never outside of a playoff spot during the season, eventually settling into 5th place for the final 10 weeks of the regular season, before falling to 4th-seeded Kansas City Current in the first round of the playoffs. [1] The Courage also advanced to the knockout rounds of the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup.

Coaching Changes

On August 6, 2025, at 7:45 p.m. EDT, the club posted a statement on instagram saying "The North Carolina Courage have terminated the contract of Head Coach Sean Nahas, effective immediately. The North Carolina Courage remain focused on the continued development of the team and maintaining a professional, competitive environment for players, staff, and supporters." [2] [3] [4] No interim head coach was named.

In a press conference at 11 a.m. on August 7, the club named Nathan Thackeray as Acting Head Coach. When asked about the coaching search, Chief Soccer Officer Dr. Ceri Bowley said "We'll take stock after tomorrow's game." [5]

Team

Squad

As of July 28, 2025. [6]
No.Pos.NationPlayer
1 GK Flag of the United States.svg  USA Casey Murphy
2 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Ashley Sanchez
3 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Kaleigh Kurtz
7 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Malia Berkely
8 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Brianna Pinto
9 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Olivia Wingate
10 MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Denise O'Sullivan
11 DF Flag of Germany.svg  GER Feli Rauch
12 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Natalia Staude
13 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Ryan Williams
14 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Tyler Lussi
16 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Riley Jackson
17 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Dani Weatherholt
18 DF Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN Sydney Collins
19 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Jaedyn Shaw
20 MF Flag of Japan.svg  JPN Shinomi Koyama
22 FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Cortnee Vine
24 DF Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN Brooklyn Courtnall
25 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Meredith Speck
27 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Maycee Bell
30 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Hannah Betfort
33 DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Charlotte McLean
34 MF Flag of Japan.svg  JPN Manaka Matsukubo
44 GK Flag of the United States.svg  USA Marisa Jordan
77 FW Flag of Brazil.svg  BRA Aline Gomes Amaro
-- GK Flag of the United States.svg  USA Katie Cappelletti

Staff

As of July 28, 2025. [7] [8] [9]
Executive
Chairman Steve Malik
PresidentFrancie Gottsegen
Chief Operating OfficerRalph Vuono
Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting DirectorDr. Ceri Bowley
Executive Vice President, Special ProjectsPete Sciandra
Coaching
Head Coach Flag of England.svg Nathan Thackeray (acting)
Assistant Coach Flag of England.svg Nathan Thackeray
Assistant Coach Flag of England.svg Emma Thomson
Assistant Coach Flag of the United States.svg Victoria Boardman
Assistant General Manager Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Hammond

Competitions

  Win  Tie  Loss

Friendlies

July 9, 2025 (2025-07-09) North Carolina Courage 0-0 Tigres UANL Femenil Cary, North Carolina
7:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-5) Report Stadium: First Horizon Stadium
Note: Match was suspended in the 77' due to heavy rain.
July 25, 2025 (2025-07-25) North Carolina Courage 4-0 Chivas de Guadalajara Femenil Cary, North Carolina
7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-5)
 Report Stadium: First Horizon Stadium

Regular Season

March 15, 2025 (2025-03-15)1 Racing Louisville 1-1 North Carolina Courage Louisville, Kentucky
5:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-5)
 Report
Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 2847
Referee: Adorae Monroy
March 25, 2025 (2025-03-25)2 North Carolina Courage 1-2 Seattle Reign Cary, North Carolina
7:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-5)
 Report
Stadium: First Horizon Stadium
Attendance: 8158
Referee: Elvis Osmanovic
March 29, 2025 (2025-03-29)3 Portland Thorns 0-0 North Carolina Courage Portland, Oregon
10:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-5)
 Report Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 15967
Referee: Elton Garcia
April 13, 2025 (2025-04-13)4 Gotham FC 3-1 North Carolina Courage Harrison, New Jersey
4:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-5)
 Report
Stadium: Sports Illustrated Stadium
Attendance: 7115
Referee: Joshua Encarnación
April 19, 2025 (2025-04-19)5 North Carolina Courage 0-1 Bay FC Cary, North Carolina
7:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-5)
 Report
Stadium: First Horizon Stadium
Referee: Iryna Petrunok
April 26, 2025 (2025-04-26)6 North Carolina Courage 3-2 Kansas City Current Cary, North Carolina
7:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-5)
 Report
Stadium: First Horizon Stadium
Attendance: 6235
Referee: Shawn Tehini
May 3, 2025 (2025-05-03)7 Utah Royals FC 0-2 North Carolina Courage Sandy, Utah
10:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-5)
 Report
Stadium: America First Field
Attendance: 7371
Referee: Laura Rodriguez
May 10, 2025 (2025-05-10)8 North Carolina Courage 1-1 Orlando Pride Cary, North Carolina
7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-5)
 Report
Stadium: First Horizon Stadium
Attendance: 9366
Referee: Brad Jensen
May 17, 2025 (2025-05-17)9 North Carolina Courage 2-0 Chicago Stars Cary, North Carolina
5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-5)
 Report
Stadium: First Horizon Stadium
Attendance: 8592
Referee: Jaclyn Metz
May 25, 2025 (2025-05-25)10 San Diego Wave 5-2 North Carolina Courage San Diego, California
10:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-5)
 Report
Stadium: Snapdragon Stadium
Attendance: 12760
Referee: Elijio Arreguin
June 8, 2025 (2025-06-08)11 Washington Spirit 3-1 North Carolina Courage Washington, D.C.
4:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-5)
 Report
Stadium: Audi Field
Attendance: 17625
Referee: Brandon Stevis
June 14, 2025 (2025-06-14)12 Angel City FC 1-2 North Carolina Courage Los Angeles, California
10:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-5)
 Report
Stadium: BMO Stadium
Attendance: 14933
Referee: Nabil Bensalah
June 21, 2025 (2025-06-21)13 North Carolina Courage 2-1 Houston Dash Cary, North Carolina
7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-5)
 Report
Stadium: First Horizon Stadium
Attendance: 6642
Referee: Calin Radosav
August 2, 2025 (2025-08-02)14 North Carolina Courage 0–0 San Diego Wave Cary, North Carolina
7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-5) Report Stadium: First Horizon Stadium
Attendance: 7,109
Referee: Elvis Osmanovic
August 8, 2025 (2025-08-08)15 Houston Dash v North Carolina Courage Houston, TX
8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-5)Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium
August 16, 2025 (2025-08-16)16 North Carolina Courage v Portland Thorns Cary, North Carolina
7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-5)Stadium: First Horizon Stadium
August 22, 2025 (2025-08-22)17 Chicago Stars v North Carolina Courage Bridgeview, Illinois
8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-5)Stadium: SeatGeek Stadium
August 30, 2025 (2025-08-30)18 Kansas City Current v North Carolina Kansas City, Kansas
7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-5)Stadium: CPKC Stadium
September 6, 2025 (2025-09-06)19 North Carolina Courage v Utah Royals FC Cary, North Carolina
7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-5)Stadium: First Horizon Stadium
September 13, 2025 (2025-09-13)20 North Carolina Courage v Angel City FC First Horizon Stadium
12:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-5)
September 19, 2025 (2025-09-19)21 Orlando Pride v North Carolina Courage Orlando, Florida
7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-5)Stadium: Inter&Co Stadium
September 28, 2025 (2025-09-28)22 Seattle Reign v North Carolina Courage Seattle, Washington
8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-5)Stadium: Lumen Field
October 4, 2025 (2025-10-04)23 North Carolina Courage v Racing Louisville Cary, North Carolina
7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-5)Stadium: First Horizon Stadium
October 11, 2025 (2025-10-11)24 North Carolina Courage v Washington Spirit Cary, North Carolina
7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-5)Stadium: First Horizon Stadium
October 17, 2025 (2025-10-17)25 Bay FC v North Carolina Courage San Jose, California
10:00 p.m.Stadium: PayPal Park
November 2, 2025 (2025-11-02)26 North Carolina Courage v Gotham FC Cary, North Carolina
TBDStadium: First Horizon Stadium

Regular Season Standings

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 Kansas City Current 1815123610+2646 NWSL Shield, playoffs, and CONCACAF W Champions Cup
2 Washington Spirit 189542925+432 Playoffs, and CONCACAF W Champions Cup
3 San Diego Wave FC 188642819+930 Playoffs
4 Portland Thorns FC 198562822+629
5 Orlando Pride 188462215+728
6 Seattle Reign FC 187652521+427
7 Racing Louisville FC 197572530−526
8 Gotham FC 186662216+624
9 Angel City FC 186572428−423
10 North Carolina Courage 185672328−521
11 Houston Dash 185582128−720
12 Bay FC 184592127−617
13 Chicago Stars FC 181891936−1711
14 Utah Royals 1825111432−1811
Updated to match(es) played on September 5, 2025. Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total goal differential; 3) total wins; 4) total goals scored; 5) head to head points; 6) head to head goal goals scored; 7) fewer disciplinary points; 8) coin toss (2 clubs tied) or drawing of lots (≥3 clubs tied)

Results summary

OverallHomeAway
PldPtsWLTGFGAGDWLTGFGAGDWLTGFGAGD
13185531820 −232197 +2232913 −4

Last updated: July 28, 2025
Source: NWSLsoccer.com
Pld = Matches played; Pts = Points; W = Matches won; T = Matches tied; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference

Results by matchday

Round1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526
StadiumAHAAHHAHHAAAHHAHAAHHAAHHAH
ResultDLDLLWWDWLLWWD
Position [a] 51010131411911910111199
Updated to match(es) played on July 28, 2025. Source: NWSL soccer.com
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
  1. ↑ NC's position at the end of the day in which their match was played.

Appearances and Goals

As of July 28, 2025
No.PosNatPlayerTotalRegular seasonPlayoffs
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Goalkeepers:
1 GK Flag of the United States.svg  USA Casey Murphy 13013000
44 GK Flag of the United States.svg  USA Marisa Jordan 000000
-- GK Flag of the United States.svg  USA Katie Cappelletti 000000
Defenders:
3 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Kaleigh Kurtz 13113100
7 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Malia Berkely 606000
11 DF Flag of Germany.svg  GER Feli Rauch 918+1100
12 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Natalia Staude 707000
13 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Ryan Williams 13113100
18 DF Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN Sydney Collins 000000
24 DF Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  CAN Brooklyn Courtnall 200+2000
27 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Maycee Bell 11010+1000
Midfielders:
2 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Ashley Sanchez 13210+3200
8 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Brianna Pinto 1121+10200
10 MF Flag of Ireland.svg  IRL Denise O'Sullivan 13013000
16 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Riley Jackson 13111+2100
17 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Dani Weatherholt 300+3000
19 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Jaedyn Shaw 1318+5100
20 MF Flag of Japan.svg  JPN Shinomi Koyama 1306+7000
25 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Meredith Speck 602+4000
34 MF Flag of Japan.svg  JPN Manaka Matsukubo 13411+2400
Forwards:
9 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Olivia Wingate 000000
14 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Tyler Lussi 804+4000
22 FW Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Cortnee Vine 613+3100
30 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Hannah Betfort 1113+8100
77 FW Flag of Brazil.svg  BRA Aline Gomes Amaro 611+5100
Players who left the club during the season:
-- GK Flag of the United States.svg  USA Hensley Hancuff 000000
22 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Michaela Hahn 000000
33 DF Flag of Australia (converted).svg  AUS Charlotte McLean 000000

Transactions

Transfers

In

Out

DatePlayerPositionDestination clubFee/notesRef
February 18, 2025 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Bianca St-Georges FWNoneMutual Termination [10]
July 14, 2025 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Charlotte McLean DF Tampa Bay Sun FC (USLS)Loan

[11]

Loans

Contracts

Options Exercised

Extensions

Awards

NWSL season awards

NWSL Player of the Month

NWSL Best XI of the Month

MonthPlayerRef.
March Flag of the United States.svg Ryan Williams [12]
April Flag of the United States.svg Ryan Williams [13]
May Flag of Japan.svg Manaka Matsukubo [14]
June Flag of Japan.svg Manaka Matsukubo [15]

NWSL Player of the Week

WeekNat.PlayerClubRef.
9
Flag of Japan.svg
Manaka Matsukubo North Carolina Courage [16]

NWSL Goal of the Week

WeekNat.PlayerHonorRef.
9 Flag of Japan.svg Manaka Matsukubo Nominee [17]
11 Flag of Japan.svg Manaka Matsukubo Nominee [18]

NWSL Save of the Week

WeekNat.PlayerHonorRef.
1 Flag of the United States.svg Casey Murphy Nominee [19]
9 Flag of the United States.svg Casey Murphy Nominee [20]

Team season awards

References

  1. ↑ "Kansas City Current advance to NWSL semifinals with 1-0 win against North Carolina Courage". The Washington Post . Associated Press. November 9, 2024. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  2. ↑ @thenccourage; (August 6, 2025). "(none)" – via Instagram.
  3. ↑ "North Carolina Courage terminates head coach Sean Nahas' contract 'effective immediately'". August 6, 2025.
  4. ↑ "NC Courage fire head coach in middle of the season". August 6, 2025.
  5. ↑ "no word on next coaching hire". The Lions Pitch @lionspitch.bsky.social. August 7, 2025.
  6. ↑ "NC Courage Roster" . Retrieved July 28, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Ownership". North Carolina Courage. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
  8. ↑ "Technical Staff". North Carolina Courage. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Front Office". North Carolina Courage. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
  10. ↑ "NC Courage and Bianca St-Georges Agree to Mutual Termination". NC Courage. February 18, 2025. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
  11. ↑ "NC Courage Loan Charlotte McLean to Tampa Bay Sun FC". North Carolina Courage. July 15, 2025. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Ryan Williams Named to NWSL Best XI for March". NC Courage.
  13. ↑ "NC Courage Defender Ryan Williams Named to NWSL Best XI of April". NC Courage.
  14. ↑ "Manaka Matsukubo Named to NWSL Best XI for May". NC Courage.
  15. ↑ "Manaka Matsukubo Named to NWSL Best XI for June". NC Courage.
  16. ↑ National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (May 20, 2025). "Manaka Magic ✨✨" (Tweet). Retrieved May 20, 2025– via Twitter.
  17. ↑ National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (May 19, 2025). "These goals turned heads in Week 9 🎯language=en" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  18. ↑ National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (June 9, 2025). "These goals left us 😳😦" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  19. ↑ National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (March 17, 2025). "Five times goalkeepers said "not today" 🚫" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  20. ↑ National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (May 19, 2025). "Big saves in even bigger moments 🧱🧤" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
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