Far From Done

The NC Courage bounce back with a fun-to-watch 2-2 draw against our bitter rivals, the Portland Thorns. Katie and Trevor break down the match before looking far into the future to the Houston road match after the international break.In This EpisodeLooking Back: NC Courage vs Portland ThornsWe break down Manaka Matsukubo's magic and Ashley Sanchez's stunning strike. The Courage's defensive work kept Portland's dangerous front line largely in check. This performance felt like a step forward despite the draw.Standout StatsThe Courage generated 1.8 xG on just 12 shots while holding Portland to 1.48 xG on 16, including just 0.36 xG in the second half despite a heavy press. We dig into what the numbers say about where this team is heading.Looking Ahead: Houston DashHouston has 3 wins and 1 loss after a wild penalty-driven comeback win over Racing Louisville, but can they sustain it? We break down midfielder Kiki Van Zanten, the center-back pairing featuring a familiar face in Malia Berkely, to watch, and what the possession battle might look like when two teams who want to play the same style go head-to-head.Courage NewsA busy international window with Manaka Matsukubo, Evelyn Ijeh, Kailen Sheridan, Carly Wickenheiser, Lauren Thompson, and Riley Jackson all heading off on international duty. We run through the call-ups and what we're looking forward to watching.Around the LeagueAngel City fall, San Diego climb, and Denver quietly put together three clean sheets. We look at the early movers on the table and share our cautious takes on who can actually sustain it.About The Lion’s Pitch PodcastWelcome to The Lion’s Pitch, your go-to podcast for everything North Carolina Courage. Every week, Trevor and Katie break down the latest matches, preview upcoming opponents, discuss NC Courage news, and take a look around the NWSL. Plus, we’ll bring you bonus episodes with interviews, behind-the-scenes content, and some fun surprises along the way.New episode drops every Thursday.Subscribe & FollowSubscribe wherever you get your podcasts and find us online at lionspitch.com, follow us on Bluesky @lionspitch.bsky.social, or on Instagram @thelionspitchHosted by Trevor Knoblich and Katie ClearyProduced by Mary PruterEdited by Danielle Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.