NWSL 2024 season commences, and the fans cannot control their excitement. After a thrilling opening game between Kansas City Current and Portland Thorns, the matchday moves on to another interesting fixture between the Houston Dash and the North Carolina Courage. The Courage is coming behind a fantastic 2023 season, whereas the Dash has added some strong players including Maria Shanchez making this fixture a must-watch. However, how are both teams expected to lock horns? Who all are expected to play? Who could miss out tonight due to injury? We look at all the information regarding today’s epic clash.

North Carolina will feel that they missed out on winning both the Shield as well as the Cup last season. Dash on the other hand would like to prove themselves after missing out on playoffs last season. But Courage’s 7 game-winless streak during the fag end of the group stages hurt them even more. Nevertheless, both teams start their journey of redemption today.

North Carolina Courage Vs Houston Dash: All you need to know

Injury News

North Carolina Courage: The two-time winners have received a huge blow at the start of the season as their star player and last year’s MVP Kerolin Nicoli suffered an ACL injury last October. Defender Sydney Collins also sustained an ankle injury during the W Gold Cup with Canada and will be out. Other players out on the injury list are Rikako Kobayashi, Meredith Speck, and Clara Schilke.

Houston Dash: Dash on the other side has no fresh injuries reported after they saw 2 players suffer ACL in June 2023.

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Expected Lineups

North Carolina Courage predicted XI: Casey Murphy, Kaleigh Kurtz, Julia Dorsey, Felicitas Rauch, Ryan Williams, Denise O’Sullivan, Narumi Miura, Manaka Matsukubo, Brianna Pinto, Tyler Lussi, Ashley Sanchez

Houston Dash predicted XI: Jane Campbell, Sarah Puntigam, N Jacobs, A Chapman, M. Desiano, Elin Rubensson, Sophie Schmidt, Belle Briede, Barbara Olivieri, Cece Kizer, Maria Sanchez

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Head-to-Head and Predictions

Both the teams have met twenty times until now. North Carolina Courage have a clear advantage in terms of history with 10 wins whereas the Dash just won 6 times and the 4 of the remaining games ended in a draw. However, Dash has added some strong players this time like María Sánchez the highest-earning player in NWSL beating Trinity Rodman and Rubensson which can give them an attacking edge.

Prediction: 2-1 to Houston Dash

Where and how to watch North Carolina Courage Vs Houston Dash

Tonight’s game between the two teams will be played at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina. Kick-off will be at 6:00 pm and fans can watch the action live on NWSL+

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With everything to lose at the start of the season, both teams will lock horns to set the momentum. Even though North Carolina has a strong squad, Dash could go all guns blazing to make a statement this season by reaching the playoffs.