Preview: Chicago Red Stars at North Carolina Courage

The Chicago Red Stars are at the halfway point of their 2024 NWSL season and remain firmly entrenched in the postseason picture despite an up-and-down campaign so far.

The Red Stars (5-2-6, 17 points, sixth in NWSL) are without a win in their last four and would have been on a four-match losing streak if Sam Staab hadn’t scored an equalizing goal in the dying moments of last weekend’s 2-2 draw on the road in Kansas City. Chicago is in desperate need of a win when they travel to North Carolina against a side they struggled to contain recently.

The Courage (5-1-7, 16 points, seventh in NWSL) have outscored Chicago 10-1 in their last three regular season matches going back to 2022. Former Red Stars draft pick Bianca St-Georges is a new addition to North Carolina in 2024 as they look to snap a streak of over 380 minutes without a goal going back four matches when they host Chicago in Cary.

The Red Stars were relatively healthy entering the weekend and should have their full cadre of attackers available on Sunday. Head coach Lorne Donaldson expects another tough matchup in what is likely to be balmy conditions.

“Just like every other team in this league, they’re very good,” said Donaldson during his weekly media availability. “They love to possess the ball, so that’s going to be a challenge for us. So, how can we break that rhythm up and get something going the other way?

“It’s going to be hot, I think we know that. It’s summertime in the U.S. so we have to be ready for that.”

Who: Chicago Red Stars at North Carolina Courage

Where: WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, North Carolina

When: June 23, 2024. 5:00 p.m. CT

How to watch: Paramount+

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