2017 NWSL Championship rematch to be broadcast live as the NWSL Game of the Week on Lifetime at 3:30 p.m. ET

Cary, N.C. (Feb. 16, 2018)- The North Carolina Courage will open the 2018 NWSL Season at home against the Portland Thorns on Saturday, March 24 in the NWSL Game of the Week on Lifetime. The reigning NWSL Shield Winners are set to host the reigning NWSL Champions at 3:30 p.m. ET at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park.

"What an opener for the NWSL- the two finalists from last year, two of the best fan bases in women's soccer, two great ownership groups and a healthy rivalry on the field," said NC Courage Head Coach Paul Riley. "Fans will have opportunity to see 18 internationals on the same field at the home opener. Preseason is an amazing time to bond, prepare and build your house. Having such a prolific game at the end of preseason makes it even more exciting."



This year’s home opener will mark the second year in a row that Portland has been the NC Courage’s first visitor of the season. Last year, the NC Courage opened up in front of a home crowd to its 1-0 shutout over the Thorns. The Courage’s record-setting inaugural season saw a historic 16 wins and 12 shutouts, but concluded with a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to the Thorns in the NWSL Championship on Oct. 14.



The complete regular season schedule, along with the NWSL Game of the Week on Lifetime national television schedule, will be announced on Tuesday, Feb. 20. The upcoming season will once again feature livestreams of matches on the go90 app and website. International fans will also be able to watch all of the games on the NWSL app and NWSLsoccer.com.



The NC Courage is scheduled to begin preseason training on Monday, Feb. 19. A training schedule, preseason game schedule and full preseason roster will be announced in the coming days.



Tickets to the home opener are on sale now! Call 919-459-8144 or click here to purchase your tickets.



Season Tickets and Flex Plans are on sale now, and fans can secure 2018 Season Tickets for $50 down. Visit NCCourage.com to purchase your season tickets for our highly anticipated 2018 NWSL Season.



About North Carolina Courage

The North Carolina Courage is a Division I professional women’s soccer team that plays in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). The NC Courage, the reigning NWSL Shield Winner, plays its home games at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. For more information, please visit www.NCCourage.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.