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NWSL schedule: 3 must-see week 10 contests in the NWSL

By Caden Charpentier

PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 18: Head coach Mike Norris of the Portland Thorns FC looks on before the game against the OL Reign at Providence Park on March 18, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 18: Head coach Mike Norris of the Portland Thorns FC looks on before the game against the OL Reign at Providence Park on March 18, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images) /
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HARRISON, NJ – APRIL 22: Kiki Pickett #23 of the North Carolina Courage looks for an opening in the first half of the National Women’s Soccer League match against Gotham FC at Red Bull Arena on April 22, 2023 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Ira L. Black – Corbis/Getty Images)
HARRISON, NJ – APRIL 22: Kiki Pickett #23 of the North Carolina Courage looks for an opening in the first half of the National Women’s Soccer League match against Gotham FC at Red Bull Arena on April 22, 2023 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Ira L. Black – Corbis/Getty Images) /

1. North Carolina Courage at Kansas City Current

Date: Saturday, June 3, 8:30 p.m. EST

How to watch: Paramount+

It is the encounter of two sides that were projected for two completely different finishes in 2023. One was a championship contender while the other had its eyes set on growth. The reality is, both clubs have surprised, one for the right reason, and the other for the wrong one. Interim head coach Caroline Sjoblom and her talented KC side are in near desperation mode, sitting in dead last having lost their last four games in the league. The Current have been shutout in their last three contests, excluding the Challenge Cup match at Racing Louisville FC.

In front of its home fans, KC will have to attempt to break through its goal-scoring struggles against a team that has pitched the most clean sheets through nine weeks. Sean Nahas’ side are unbeaten in their last six matches across all competitions, allowing one goal or fewer in five of those games. It is not the most ideal matchup for the Current at this point in time. Despite the club’s differences in form, KC is still in the confines of their own stadium and will have the most talented player on the pitch, Debinha.

For the first time since her arrival in the mid-west, the Brazilian international will match up against her former side, the North Carolina Courage. Kansas City Current’s No. 99 missed out on the opening weekend game in North Carolina due to injury. The midfielder is going to need the support of players like Cece Kizer, and Mimmi Larsson in the attacking line to knife through the stable Courage resistance. Finding a breakthrough against Casey Murphy is going to take more than just one player. KC should make this one tight, but their most recent displays do not give any indication that they can take all three points against a North Carolina side on the rise.

Prediction: North Carolina Courage 1-0 Kansas City Current 

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