An offseason that has featured plenty of player movement in and out of North Carolina, head coach Sean Nahas and his staff will be fielding a much younger roster heading into the 2023 season as they aim to make the Courage competitive once again.

The 2023 season is rapidly approaching with the NWSL kicking off this Saturday, March 25! The 11^th year of league action will feature 12 teams with the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup featuring mid-season. In a team-by-team preview, we’ll break down each squad’s big moves, massive matches, and more of what to know as we get ready for the regular season opener. North Carolina Courage 2022 Season : 7 ^th | 9-8-5 – 32 points Big Additions : * Emily Fox – U.S. Women’s National Team standout and former Racing Louisville FC defender

• Tyler Lussi – Acquired via trade with Angel City FC

• Narumi Miura – Acquired via transfer fee via Japanese top flight side Tokyo Verdy Beleza

• Olivia Wingate – 2023 NWSL Draft No. 6 overall pick Key Games : * March 25: Kansas City Current (H) – Regular Season Opener

• April 19: Orland Pride (A) – Challenge Cup Opener What to Know : An offseason that has featured plenty of player movement in and out of North Carolina, head coach Sean Nahas and his staff will be fielding a much younger roster heading into the 2023 season as they aim to make the Courage competitive once again. For North Carolina, it’s less about the defense with goalkeepers Casey Murphy and Katelyn Rowland–both of whom featured in goal several times last season–returning to the side again. The addition of Emily Fox via trade and retention of Kaleigh Kurtz will help there, but the number of internationals who may feature in this year’s World Cup may not leave the Courage with the depth desired. In midfield, attention will turn to the likes of Denise O’Sullivan and Brianna Pinto following the unfortunate news of Emily Gray’s injury in preseason. Gray, who was the third overall pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft, suffered an ACL injury and will miss he 2023 campaign. Brought in to help after the departure of Debinha is Narumi Miura, who was not only a fixture in the Yogibo WE League but has also made over 20 appearances for the senior Japanese Women’s National team, including in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo played in 2021. Up top, Brazilian international Kerolin Nicoli is back, which will be music to Courage fans’ ears after sharing the spotlight with forward Diana Ordóñez, who departed for Houston. Kerolin will have help from rookies Haley Hopkins and Olivia Wingate as well, with the Courage signing all four draft picks including Hopkins, Wingate, midfielder Clara Robbins, and defender Sydney Collins. Those four draft picks were all made in the opening 11 picks of the 2023 NWSL Draft, further emphasizing North Carolina’s youth this season. Nahas and crew will overall welcome back 17 players with nine new faces joining, and with plenty of questions to be answered, the Courage will be eager to hit the field and show what they’ve got come Saturday.