Sunday afternoon. Cary, North Carolina. Win… or the season ends.

The NWSL-Shield winning North Carolina Courage take on the Chicago Red Stars on Sunday at 3:30pm in hopes of going to the NWSL Championship match. But in three meetings this season, the Courage have lost to Chicago three times: 1–3 in April, 3–2 in May, and 2–1 on September 3rd.

The Courage finished the regular season with the best record in the NWSL (16–7–1) and should be the favorites heading into the postseason, but their regular season record against Chicago bring that into doubt.

Still, the team’s superstars delivered all season. The Courage developed some their rookies, and they brought in additional depth and talent throughout the 2017 campaign. The team has several international stars for several different countries that show just how deep this team really is.

Last weekend in the Courage’s final home match of the season, the club broke a club record in attendance of 7,020.

Another big crowd is expected on Sunday afternoon, and Chicago plans on spoiling their day and the home team’s amazing inaugural season. The Red Stars finished the regular season with a record of 11–7–6, good for fourth place.

Chicago does have an impressive roster with big names like Christen Press, Julie Ertz, Alyssa Naeher, Morgan Brian, Casey Short, and Sofia Huerta. Press was able to finish the regular season in 4th place with 11 goals. But as a team, the Red Stars were only able to finish in 5th place with 33 goals this season.

Press was quoted on the team’s website as being confident ahead of the game with North Carolina:

“This is the best Red Stars team we’ve had going into the Playoffs,” said Press. “It’s very difficult to be in the top four in this tough league. There are no easy games; every single game we’ve played this year was close.”

The Courage have led the NWSL all season. Yes, injuries to the back line hurt, but Paul Riley took chances and came through. The club hit a home run in drafting rookie Ashley Hatch, who has scored seven goals this season (2nd best on the team and 10th best in the league).

The midfield has been dominant this season for the Courage as well, and that all starts with USWNT standout Sam Mewis. Mewis has been a field general this season. Every time there’s a good attack, it starts from Mewis with her clean passes.

Also, if you still need some gear to wear to the game or are looking for some new merch, then keep a look out for the new 2017 NWSL Shield Winners shirts!

Recent Form

North Carolina: L | W | D | W | L

Chicago: L | W | D | W | W

Game Details

What: North Carolina Courage vs. Chicago Red Stars (NWSL postseason)

Where: WakeMed Soccer Park, Sahlen’s Stadium, Cary, NC

When: 3:30pm ET

Prediction

This is going to be the biggest game of the season for the club. The season opener was awesome, and the attendance record-breaking game last weekend was great too, but this one should be even crazier. For this match, I expect a crowd of 8,000 to show up. Everything is on the line before the NWSL Championship match, and the atmosphere in the stands and play on the pitch should be electric.

Chicago is coming off a 3–1 loss against Portland last Saturday. The Courage played last Wednesday and Saturday but did rest some key players. Both teams will have had seven days to rest, but Chicago has to make the trip to NC.

The Courage need to make sure that they can control the match in the midfield or Chicago will take advantage. NC hasn't been good this season at coming back from going down early either, so a major key will be putting up a point first. The club has not yet been able to beat the Red Stars, but I think Sunday will be the day that the #junkyarddogs get it done.

Zack’s Prediction: Courage Win 2–1