North Carolina Courage vs Chicago Stars FC, 2026 NWSL, Regular Season
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Match Commentary
- 0': Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
- 0': First Half begins.
- 2': Attempt saved. Jordyn Huitema (Chicago Stars) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal by Kailen Sheridan (North Carolina Courage). Assisted by Jenna Bike.
- 3': Attempt saved. Ashley Sanchez (North Carolina Courage) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner by Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Stars). Assisted by Manaka Matsukubo.
- 6': Jordyn Huitema (Chicago Stars) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
- 9': Attempt missed. Manaka Matsukubo (North Carolina Courage) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is too high. Assisted by Ryan Williams with a cross.
- 11': Attempt missed. Dani Weatherholt (North Carolina Courage) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Manaka Matsukubo with a cross.
- 12': Foul by Riley Jackson (North Carolina Courage).
- 12': Manaka Hayashi (Chicago Stars) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 13': Attempt blocked. Riley Jackson (North Carolina Courage) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Chioma Okafor.
- 14': Attempt blocked. Julia Grosso (Chicago Stars) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Sam Staab.
- 14': Attempt blocked. Jenna Bike (Chicago Stars) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Julia Grosso.
- 16': Delay in match because of an injury Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Stars).
- 20': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
- 21': Substitution, Chicago Stars. Halle Mackiewicz replaces Alyssa Naeher because of an injury.
- 21': Offside, Chicago Stars. Jenna Bike is caught offside.
- 26': Corner, North Carolina Courage. Conceded by Aaliyah Farmer.
- 29': Foul by Jordyn Huitema (Chicago Stars).
- 29': Shinomi Koyama (North Carolina Courage) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 30': Corner, Chicago Stars. Conceded by Dani Weatherholt.
- 31': Delay in match because of an injury Dani Weatherholt (North Carolina Courage).
- 32': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
- 32': Attempt missed. Aaliyah Farmer (Chicago Stars) header from very close range is too high. Assisted by Sam Staab with a cross following a corner.
- 35': Attempt missed. Ryan Gareis (Chicago Stars) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Julia Grosso.
- 36': Foul by Nádia Gomes (Chicago Stars).
- 36': Chioma Okafor (North Carolina Courage) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 36': Attempt missed. Evelyn Ijeh (North Carolina Courage) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Riley Jackson.
- 36': Corner, North Carolina Courage. Conceded by Sam Staab.
- 38': Attempt blocked. Evelyn Ijeh (North Carolina Courage) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ashley Sanchez with a cross.
- 38': Corner, North Carolina Courage. Conceded by Sam Staab.
- 40': Jenna Bike (Chicago Stars) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 40': Foul by Manaka Matsukubo (North Carolina Courage).
- 41': Attempt blocked. Brianna Pinto (Chicago Stars) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Ryan Gareis.
- 42': Ashley Sanchez (North Carolina Courage) wins a free kick on the left wing.
- 42': Foul by Kathrin Hendrich (Chicago Stars).
- 43': Attempt missed. Natalia Staude (North Carolina Courage) header from very close range is too high. Assisted by Riley Jackson with a cross following a set piece situation.
- 45': Corner, North Carolina Courage. Conceded by Sam Staab.
- 45'+1': Corner, North Carolina Courage. Conceded by Aaliyah Farmer.
- 45'+2': Fourth official has announced 5 minutes of added time.
- 45'+2': Attempt missed. Manaka Matsukubo (North Carolina Courage) left footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Riley Jackson with a cross following a corner.
- 45'+4': Offside, North Carolina Courage. Ashley Sanchez is caught offside.
- 45'+6': Corner, North Carolina Courage. Conceded by Sam Staab.
- 45'+7': First Half ends, North Carolina Courage 0, Chicago Stars 0.
- 45': Substitution, North Carolina Courage. Ally Schlegel replaces Chioma Okafor.
- 45': Substitution, Chicago Stars. Micayla Johnson replaces Jenna Bike.
- 45': Second Half begins North Carolina Courage 0, Chicago Stars 0.
- 47': Goal! North Carolina Courage 1, Chicago Stars 0. Evelyn Ijeh (North Carolina Courage) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Ashley Sanchez with a cross.
- 49': Attempt saved. Manaka Matsukubo (North Carolina Courage) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Halle Mackiewicz (Chicago Stars). Assisted by Ashley Sanchez.
- 52': Attempt blocked. Jordyn Huitema (Chicago Stars) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is blocked.
- 52': Corner, Chicago Stars. Conceded by Natalia Staude.
- 53': Attempt saved. Kathrin Hendrich (Chicago Stars) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal by Kailen Sheridan (North Carolina Courage). Assisted by Aaliyah Farmer with a headed pass.
- 54': Foul by Manaka Hayashi (Chicago Stars).
- 54': Ashley Sanchez (North Carolina Courage) wins a free kick on the right wing.
- 54': Manaka Hayashi (Chicago Stars) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
- 55': Attempt blocked. Manaka Matsukubo (North Carolina Courage) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Riley Jackson.
- 55': Attempt missed. Ashley Sanchez (North Carolina Courage) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left following a set piece situation.
- 55': Kathrin Hendrich (Chicago Stars) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 55': Foul by Ashley Sanchez (North Carolina Courage).
- 56': Offside, Chicago Stars. Ryan Gareis is caught offside.
- 56': Attempt missed. Ashley Sanchez (North Carolina Courage) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Evelyn Ijeh.
- 57': Foul by Manaka Matsukubo (North Carolina Courage).
- 57': Manaka Hayashi (Chicago Stars) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 58': Corner, Chicago Stars. Conceded by Uno Shiragaki.
- 59': Attempt missed. Micayla Johnson (Chicago Stars) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right following a corner.
- 59': Attempt missed. Micayla Johnson (Chicago Stars) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Kathrin Hendrich following a corner.
- 61': Goal! North Carolina Courage 2, Chicago Stars 0. Ashley Sanchez (North Carolina Courage) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Evelyn Ijeh.
- 62': Offside, North Carolina Courage. Evelyn Ijeh is caught offside.
- 65': Attempt missed. Manaka Matsukubo (North Carolina Courage) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Shinomi Koyama.
- 65': Goal! North Carolina Courage 3, Chicago Stars 0. Ally Schlegel (North Carolina Courage) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Manaka Matsukubo.
- 67': Offside, North Carolina Courage. Ally Schlegel is caught offside.
- 68': Delay in match because of an injury Aaliyah Farmer (Chicago Stars).
- 70': Substitution, Chicago Stars. Leilanni Nesbeth replaces Aaliyah Farmer because of an injury.
- 70': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
- 72': Foul by Riley Jackson (North Carolina Courage).
- 72': Brianna Pinto (Chicago Stars) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 73': Substitution, North Carolina Courage. Carly Wickenheiser replaces Evelyn Ijeh.
- 76': Substitution, Chicago Stars. Mallory Swanson replaces Ryan Gareis.
- 76': Substitution, Chicago Stars. Jameese Joseph replaces Julia Grosso.
- 78': Offside, North Carolina Courage. Ashley Sanchez is caught offside.
- 79': Substitution, North Carolina Courage. Ivy Younce replaces Ashley Sanchez.
- 81': Offside, Chicago Stars. Jameese Joseph is caught offside.
- 83': Corner, North Carolina Courage. Conceded by Nádia Gomes.
- 83': Delay in match because of an injury Nádia Gomes (Chicago Stars).
- 86': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
- 86': Goal! North Carolina Courage 4, Chicago Stars 0. Manaka Matsukubo (North Carolina Courage) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Shinomi Koyama following a corner.
- 88': Attempt saved. Leilanni Nesbeth (Chicago Stars) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner by Kailen Sheridan (North Carolina Courage). Assisted by Kathrin Hendrich.
- 89': Manaka Hayashi (Chicago Stars) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 89': Foul by Carly Wickenheiser (North Carolina Courage).
- 89': Attempt missed. Sam Staab (Chicago Stars) header from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Leilanni Nesbeth following a set piece situation.
- 90'+1': Fourth official has announced 5 minutes of added time.
- 90'+1': Substitution, North Carolina Courage. Olivia Wingate replaces Manaka Matsukubo.
- 90'+1': Substitution, North Carolina Courage. Sydney Schmidt replaces Dani Weatherholt.
- 90'+2': Foul by Ivy Younce (North Carolina Courage).
- 90'+2': Nádia Gomes (Chicago Stars) wins a free kick on the left wing.
- 90'+3': Attempt blocked. Jameese Joseph (Chicago Stars) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Nádia Gomes.
- 90'+3': Corner, Chicago Stars. Conceded by Ryan Williams.
- 90'+4': Attempt missed. Riley Jackson (North Carolina Courage) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Olivia Wingate.
- 90'+4': Offside, North Carolina Courage. Olivia Wingate is caught offside.
- 90'+6': Second Half ends, North Carolina Courage 4, Chicago Stars 0.
- 0': Match ends, North Carolina Courage 4, Chicago Stars 0.
Statistics
CHI |
NC![]() |
|
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Fouls | 7 |
| 2 | Yellow Cards | 0 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 3 | Offsides | 5 |
| 4 | Corner Kicks | 7 |
| 2 | Saves | 3 |
| 48.3 | Possession | 51.7 |
| 13 | SHOTS | 18 |
| 3 | ON GOAL | 6 |
| 0.2 | On Target % | 0.3 |
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 |
| 0 | Penalty Kicks Taken | 0 |
| 300 | Accurate Passes | 321 |
| 375 | Passes | 391 |
| 0.8 | Pass Completion % | 0.8 |
| 2 | Accurate Crosses | 10 |
| 15 | Crosses | 19 |
| 0.1 | Cross % | 0.5 |
| 53 | Long Balls | 54 |
| 23 | Accurate Long Balls | 38 |
| 0.4 | Long Balls % | 0.7 |
| 5 | Blocked Shots | 3 |
| 16 | Effective Tackles | 10 |
| 22 | Tackles | 17 |
| 0.7 | Tackle % | 0.6 |
| 14 | Interceptions | 7 |
| 13 | Effective Clearances | 14 |
| 13 | Clearances | 14 |
Game Information
Venue: WakeMed Soccer Park
Location: Cary, North Carolina, USA
Attendance: 10,023
NWSL Standings
| # | TEAM | GP | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Diego Wave FC | 13 | +6 | 25 |
| 2 | Utah Royals | 12 | +8 | 24 |
| 3 | Portland Thorns FC | 13 | +6 | 24 |
| 4 | Washington Spirit | 11 | +9 | 21 |
Line-Ups
North Carolina Courage (4-3-3)
| No. | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Kailen Sheridan (GK) |
| 12 | Natalia Staude |
| 18 | Uno Shiragaki |
| 17 | Dani Weatherholt |
| 13 | Ryan Williams |
| 20 | Shinomi Koyama |
| 34 | Manaka Matsukubo |
| 16 | Riley Jackson |
| 10 | Evelyn Ijeh |
| 2 | Ashley Sanchez |
| 8 | Chioma Okafor |
Chicago Stars FC (3-5-2)
| No. | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Alyssa Naeher (GK) |
| 3 | Sam Staab |
| 11 | Nádia Gomes |
| 6 | Kathrin Hendrich |
| 16 | Manaka Hayashi |
| 25 | Aaliyah Farmer |
| 7 | Julia Grosso |
| 24 | Ryan Gareis |
| 4 | Jenna Bike |
| 10 | Brianna Pinto |
| 99 | Jordyn Huitema |
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CHI