Match Forecast: Reign FC Returns to Play in North Carolina
Seattle Reign FC returns to play this Saturday, July 4 in Cary, North Carolina against the Courage. In the team’s third consecutive match away from Lumen Field, the squad will be looking to post a road win as the halfway point of the season draws near.
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff has been moved to 4:30 p.m. PT at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina
WHERE TO WATCH: Fans can tune in to the match on NWSL+. Full tune in information can be found here.
2026 NWSL REGULAR SEASON RECORDS AND STANDINGS (W-L-D): Seattle Reign FC: 4-5-2 (14 points, 10th place), North Carolina Courage 5-3-3 (18 points, 7th place)
Key Info Ahead of the Match:
RETURN FROM BREAK
This Saturday marks the return to NWSL play for both Seattle and North Carolina after spending the entire month of June on a month-long hiatus. Both teams saw a handful of players join their national teams for a portion of the break.
For the Reign, Claudia Dickey (USA), Holly Ward (Canada), Angharad James-Turner (Wales), Jordyn Bugg (USA U-23), Maddie Dahlien (USA U-23), Mia Fishel (USA U-23), Neeku Purcell (USA U-23), Emeri Adames (U.S. U-20), Ainsley McCammon (U.S. U-20), Evan O’Steen (U.S. U-20) and Nerilia Mondesir (Haiti) were called into their national team.
For the Courage, five players were called up to their national teams – Riley Jackson (USA), Manaka Matsukubo (Japan), Kailen Sheridan (Canada), midfielder Carly Wickenheiser (Canada) and Evelyn Ijeh (Sweden).
LAST MEETING
The Reign and Courage last met in September 2025 at Lumen Field, where the Reign secured a massive three points in comeback victory. Backed by a crowd of over 8,000, Seattle pushed to overcome a deficit to win 2-1.
Early in the second half, the visitors claimed a 1-0 lead as Hannah Betfort headed a cross from Ryan Williams into the side netting. However, the Reign began their comeback in the 71st minute as Ainsley McCammon and Emeri Adames combined to find Jordyn Huitema near the goal. The Reign completed the comeback in the 80th minute when Maddie Dahlien received the ball and cut inside to slice a shot past the goalkeeper.
The upcoming match against North Carolina marks the 21st all-time meeting between the Reign and Courage. Seattle holds a record of six wins, three draws and 11 losses against the Courage.
SCOUTING NORTH CAROLINA
Currently, the Courage are in seventh place in the NWSL standings with 18 points from 11 matches. Most recently, they beat Angel City 2-1 on the road in Los Angeles. Evelyn Ijeh opened the scoring in the second half, just after the halftime break, set up by Ashley Sanchez and Manaka Matsukubo. However, Angel City answered back almost immediately, as Maiara Niehues headed home a cross from Evelyn Shore. North Carolina found the decisive goal in the 79th minute, as Manaka claimed a tally of her own, assisted by Riley Jackson.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
For the Reign, second-year forward Maddie Dahlien scored her first goal of the season just two games before the league went on break, lifting the Reign to victory over Boston Legacy FC. A Rookie of the Year nominee in 2025, the attacker knows how to make an impact when it counts most.
In the midfield, Sam Meza has won at least two tackles in nine of her 10 appearances so far this season and has won at least one tackle in 32 of her 36 games dating back to last year. Since the start of the 2025 season, Meza has won 91 tackles, 14 more than any other player in the NWSL.
North Carolina’s attack has been strong this season, with Evelyn Ijeh hitting her stride before the break. She has recorded goals in three consecutive matches, finding the back of the net against Chicago, Louisville and most recently Angel City. Similarly, Ashley Sanchez, a well-known top performer in the NWSL, currently sits in third place in the Golden Boot race, with seven goals in 11 matches.