The Need to Know:
Date & Time: Saturday, July 20, 7:30 p.m. ET
Venue: WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, N.C.
Competition: NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup
Where to Watch/Listen:
Broadcast: Paramount+
The Story:
- For the first time, NWSL and Liga MX Femenil will collab for the 2024 NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup. All 14 NWSL teams and the six best teams from LIGA MX Femenil Clausura and Apertura will participate in the 33-match tournament.
- The Orlando Pride and North Carolina Courage will face off in the first match of Group E. The teams have faced off twice already in NWSL competition with the Pride winning 4-1 in Orlando and then playing to a 0-0 draw in North Carolina.
- The Pride will be without seven players who will be joining their respective teams in Paris for the 2024 Olympics. Captain Marta will be joined by Adriana, Rafaelle, and Angelina representing Brazil. Barbra Banda and Grace Chanda will be playing for Zambia. Emily Sams will also be joining Team USA as an alternate in Paris.
Quote of the Week:
"Obviously, we have a lot of players that are representing their countries, which is massive for us as a team but also for the Club. It is not the same case for North Carolina. I think they only have three players missing from their current squad, which will be a challenge for us. They have got that consistency within their team selection. We will have a lot of changes to this opening game. We know it is always difficult going to a place like North Carolina, but we are going to build on what we have started this year, so nothing is going to change regardless of the changes within the selection. We want to go out there and show everyone that even with our internationals away, we are still going to stick to our high standard and high level.”
- Head Coach Seb Hines
Current Form
Pride’s Last Matchup: Orlando Pride 2, Kansas City Current 1 (07/06/24, CPKC Stadium)
Goal-Scorers: Barbra Banda, Marta (PK); Temwa Chawinga
North Carolina’s Last Matchup: North Carolina Courage 3, Racing Louisville FC 1 (07/07/24, WakeMed Soccer Park)
Goal-Scorers: Ashley Sanchez, Manaka Matsukubo, Olivia Wingate; Reilyn Turner
Against the Opposition:
Series Record: 5-10-2 (Home: 2-5-0, Away: 3-5-2)
Last Matchup: Orlando Pride 0, North Carolina Courage 0 (6/15/24, WakeMed Soccer Park)
Next Up: Orlando Pride vs. C.F. Monterrey Femenil
Date & Time: Saturday, July 27, 7:00 p.m. ET
Venue: INTER&Co Stadium, Orlando, Fla.
Broadcast: Paramount+
Competition: NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup
