Welcome! Thanks for checking out Issue #2 of The Lion’s Pitch, a weekly newsletter dedicated to news and updates about the North Carolina Courage.
You’ll notice we continue to evolve and improve our branding as we go along; hope you enjoy the new header and fonts!
Let’s take a look at the ups and downs of the 2024 schedule while we raise our bountiful offerings to the streaming deities to ensure all these services may deliver us flawless content all season.
Media savvy
Hope you’re ready for NWSL+, because half of the Courage matches will be streamed there. And that Paramount+ subscription we all maintained from last season? It’s only good for one match this year.
But, maybe you want to watch other games around the league; or maybe, like me, you’re a Star Trek fan and Paramount+ is worth keeping around for other reasons.
The league signed a record four-year, $60m a year deal spread across five companies and a total of seven services. Inventory that didn’t get picked up will be broadcast on the aforementioned NWSL+, a new streaming service from the league. NWSL has said they’re working to ensure quality is consistent across all providers.
A lucrative media deal is fantastic and well-earned for the NWSL, but creates a bit of viewing whack-a-mole for fans. Here’s the breakdown for the Courage:
| Provider | Match count |
| NWSL+ | 13 Courage matches |
| Ion | 7 matches |
| CBS Sports Network | 2 matches |
| Amazon Prime Video | 2 matches |
| CBS / Paramount+ | 1 match |
| ESPN / ESPN 2 / ESPN Deportes | 1 match |
Each week, I’ll include a reminder on where to view the match, so you won’t be scrambling to find it.
Most importantly, you may as well set up your account with NWSL+ now if you haven’t already, which is free and carries the first four matches. The service is available via browser, as well as Android and iPhone apps “coming soon.” Their reach beyond that as of this publication is Roku, FireTV and AppleTV (the device, rather than the AppleTV+ service).
I unfortunately have a PS5 and a Vizio TV, neither of which is currently supported. As near as I can tell from archived matches, NWSL doesn’t currently support AirPlay, so the only option I’m left with is to mirror my laptop screen on my TV. I bring this up in case you want to investigate how NWSL+ interacts with your own big screen if that’s where you’re used to watching games.
You can read more and sign up for NWSL+ here.
Challenge Cup
It’s a new year, so obviously the Challenge Cup has a new format. This time, it’s a single match between shield winners San Diego Wave and NWSL Champions Gotham FC.
The Courage don’t have an opportunity to defend our title. One could argue that the Wave and Gotham automatically qualifying for the finals and not facing the previous champions isn’t much of a challenge, but I suppose we need to let it go. If I’m being honest, I’m looking forward to the preseason match.
NWSL 2024 Challenge Cup
Friday, March 15 8:00 pm ET
NY/NJ Gotham v. San Diego Wave
Streaming on: Prime Video Sign up here.
$8.99 / mo. or included with Amazon Prime ($14.99 / mo. OR $134 / year, ~$11.58 / mo.)
Courage schedule
We kick off the very next day, March 16, at home against Houston Dash.
Without the Challenge Cup sprinkled throughout the season, the schedule lineup is fairly straightforward. We play each team twice: once at home, once away, for a total of 26 matches.
Considering we have two new expansion teams, that’s four extra matches for 2024!
There’s a sizable 6-week break midseason from July 7 – Aug. 25. The first week accommodates a required break as part of the players’ collective bargaining agreement. The remainder allows for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
A couple other dates of note:
- Friday, March 22 – our first match against returning / expansion side Utah Royals will be away at America First Field
- Saturday, March 30 – we take on reigning NWSL champions Gotham FC, with their new, very stacked squad
- Friday, Sept. 13 – our first match against expansion side Bay FC comes late in the season at home
Quick updates
- Former Courage player Jessica McDonald has returned to the area as a “club ambassador,” which the Courage say has a range of duties, “including commentary during local broadcasts and team content, community appearances, speaking engagements and special projects designed to further enhance brand awareness and business and community relationships.”
- Jeff Kassouf at The Equalizer got a terrific exclusive with Ashley Sanchez, giving her the opportunity to further discuss her surprise at being traded from the Spirit and renewed energy in joining the Courage (subscription required).
- Manaka scored a hat trick, in the first half of the match, in the Asian Football Confederation’s under 20 game against Vietnam, a 10-0 final score. Click below for a video of the goal.
🤩 Hat-trick hero Manaka Matsukubo's pick of the bunch! #U20WAC | #JPNvVIE pic.twitter.com/uSphtaU6mg
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) March 4, 2024
Around the league
Decision day controversy
There are 182 matches spread over 25 weeks in this year’s schedule, according to NWSL. Between that, the CONCACAF W Gold Cup, the SheBelieves Cup and the Olympics, it’s an incredible year to be a women’s soccer fan.
Even so, the NWSL schedule announcement prompted controversy. Several prominent media sources have criticized the league for lack of a Decision Day. Historically, the final day of regular season matches is when playoff spots are often won or lost. NWSL is widely considered among the most competitive leagues in the world, so Decision Day generates a lot of excitement as a make-or-break for a good number of teams. Due to the new media contracts, games are now spread over several days, which dilutes the concept.
Jeff Kassouf at The Equalizer put it bluntly: Absence of Decision Day is a Blemish on the 2024 NWSL Schedule (subscription required).
NWSL playoff schedule
Given the addition of two teams, the NWSL created an expanded playoff format, with eight clubs competing in four quarterfinals. There will not be a bye to the semifinals with this new format.
The schedule is:
- November 9-10: Quarterfinals
- November 16-17: Semifinals
- November 23: NWSL Championship
USWNT
First of all, I intentionally didn’t link to the USWNT loss to Mexico in the CONCACAF W Gold Cup group stage last week, as it was a largely meaningless match with the team guaranteed to advance. But oh my, that loss garnered opinions from just about everyone.
The good news is they went on to shut out Colombia 3-0 in the quarterfinals, in an entertaining match with plenty of great highlights.
Former Courage player (and imminent Ring of Honor awardee) Sam Mewis broke down 3 key elements for The Women’s Game:
Their next match is against Canada on Wednesday, March 6 at 10:15p on Paramount+.
Looking further out in their schedule: the 2024 SheBelieves Cup will host the same teams as 2023: USWNT, Brazil, Canada and Japan. Host cities will be Atlanta and Columbus. USWNT kicks off against Japan on Saturday, April 6 at 12:30p.
Group stages are still being decided for the Paris Olympics, but women’s soccer kicks off Thursday, July 25. The USWNT qualified by winning last year’s CONCACAF W championship (beating Canada!). The Olympics website notes two African teams will qualify in April 2024: “Teams still in with a chance of qualification are: Ghana, Zambia, Tunisia, Morocco, Cameroon, Nigeria, Tanzania and South Africa.“
Next up: Week 1 preview!
Thanks for following along, and I’ll see you next week for our WEEK 1 LOOK AHEAD! I can’t believe the 2024 season is almost here!
As always, you can always get in touch with tips, suggestions, corrections and more: contact@lionspitch.com.
GET PUMPED, Courage Country!
Next match: Saturday, March 16, 7:00 pm ET
North Carolina Courage v. Houston Dash
Opening match. Home game.
Streaming on: NWSL+ Sign up for free here.