Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
The North Carolina Courage have finally found their cutting edge, following several years of sterile possession. After 20 games, they have already scored 36 goals, which is more than they scored over 22 games in 2023 and over 26 games in 2024. They are just two goals away from besting last season’s tally with six games still to play.
When it comes to goals per game, the Courage are joint-top, alongside the Utah Royals, in the National Women’s Soccer League this season with 1.8, and second in Expected Goals (xG), with 39.8, behind only the prolific Kansas City Current.
Perhaps the most significant change in North Carolina’s style of play this year has been their willingness to attack space. And no individual player epitomizes the wider change in team style more than Ashley Sanchez.
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