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The Lion's Pitch

The Lion's Pitch

By: Trevor Knoblich and Katie Cleary
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A WoSo podcast for North Carolina Courage soccer fans with the latest news, game analysis, match previews, and updates from around the league. The NC Courage play in the NWSL (National Women's Soccer League).


The Lion's Pitch is an independent media company and not affiliated with the North Carolina Courage.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Lion's Pitch
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Episodes
  • Blow the Whistle
    Jun 4 2026

    The NC Courage close out the first half of the season with a nervy 2-1 win at Angel City, making it three wins in a row for the first time in season since 2024. Trevor and Katie break down two beautiful team goals, celebrate some big international call-ups, and look way ahead to Seattle after the June break.


    In This EpisodeLooking Back: NC Courage vs Angel City FC

    Two beautiful goals from Evelyn Ijeh and Manaka Matsukubo, both built on brilliant work from Ashley Sanchez, who arguably deserved the player of the match award herself. We break down Angel City's right-side strategy, Dani Weatherholt's quietly outstanding defensive performance, and Kailen Sheridan's late heroics that sealed the three points.


    Standout Stats

    Angel City ended the match with 37 touches in the box compared to the Courage's 17, and took 59% possession in the second half. We dig into what those numbers mean.


    Looking Ahead: Seattle Reign

    After a four-week break the Courage return home to face Seattle on July 4th. Seattle is hard to pin down because of a stingy defense and inconsistent front line. We break down what to expect and why this match will be one of the best tests of the Courage's progress this season.


    Courage News

    Riley Jackson, Evelyn Ijeh, Kailen Sheridan, Manaka Matsukubo and Carly Wickenheiser are called up to their respective senior national teams. Lauren Thompson is called up to the England U-20s. Sydney Schmidt tore her ACL in training and is placed on the SEI list. Plus, catch Cameron Brooks on the Women's Soccer Podcast: https://rss.com/podcasts/the-womens-soccer-podcast/2852306/


    Around the League

    No team is secure at the top of the table with the Courage just seven points behind the number one spot with a game (or in some instances, two) in hand. Anything can still happen in the second half of the season.


    About The Lion’s Pitch Podcast

    Welcome 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 & Follow

    Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and find us online at lionspitch.com, follow us on Bluesky @lionspitch.bsky.social, or on Instagram @thelionspitch

    • Hosted by Trevor Knoblich and Katie Cleary
    • Produced by Mary Pruter
    • Edited by Danielle Russell

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    46 mins
  • Not Last Year's Courage
    May 28 2026

    The NC Courage pick up a hard-fought 2-1 win at Racing Louisville, making it back-to-back victories, something we may not have been able to do last season. Trevor and Katie break down how we managed to hold on during the last half, look ahead to a tough road trip to Angel City, and celebrate some big news off the pitch.


    In This EpisodeLooking Back: NC Courage vs Racing Louisville

    Evelyn Ijeh continues to make a name for herself. She put up a goal early on, giving the Courage control, but Racing played a dominant second half, making for a nervy finish. Kailen Sheridan was composed all match, Ashley Sanchez's easy finish sealed the win and pushed her to seven goals on the season. We break down the goal sequences, the set-piece defending that still caused us high stress, and what the midfield shift to Shinomi, Manaka, and Jackson is doing for this team.


    Standout Stats

    The Courage controlled 59% possession in the first half before Racing took control in the second. We dig into what that swing tells us and why walking away with three points despite giving up that much control is a sign of growth.


    Looking Ahead: Angel City FC

    Angel City has lost three of their last five after a hot start, but a cross-country trip before the international break could be a trap game. We break down their tough back four, the midfield rotation questions, and why this is the best test the Courage have faced in a few weeks.


    Courage News

    Crystal Dunn announced as this year's Ring of Honor inductee, joining Courage greats Sam Mewis and Jess McDonald. The ceremony is July 11th. The win against Louisville goes down as the Courage's 100th regular season win. And we have a really moving clip from Olivia Wingate you won't want to miss.


    Around the League

    Barcelona dominate Lyon in the Champions League final, which means Lindsey Horan is heading back to the NWSL and Denver. Plus red card suspensions, and early table surprises.


    About The Lion’s Pitch Podcast

    Welcome 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 & Follow

    Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and find us online at lionspitch.com, follow us on Bluesky @lionspitch.bsky.social, or on Instagram @thelionspitch

    • Hosted by Trevor Knoblich and Katie Cleary
    • Produced by Mary Pruter
    • Edited by Danielle Russell

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    44 mins
  • Courage Show Up
    May 21 2026

    The NC Courage dominated with a 4-0 win over a struggling Chicago Stars. Trevor and Katie break down an exciting performance before welcoming midfielder Carly Wickenheiser as a special guest. Then we dive into our next road match against Racing Louisville.


    This week, we welcome Courage midfielder Carly Wickenheiser to the podcast.


    In This EpisodeLooking Back: NC Courage vs Chicago Stars

    Four goals. Four different scorers. Evelyn Ijeh gets her first Courage goal, Ashley Sanchez reaches a career-high six, Ally Schlegel scores her first goal for the Courage against her former club, and Manaka Matsukubo caps it off with a patient finish. We break down the left-side attack that caught Chicago off guard.


    Standout Stats

    Four goals on 17 shots with 32 touches in Chicago's box. We dig into what Riley Jackson's 84% passing accuracy in the final third actually means and why it's such an encouraging sign for where this team is heading.


    Interview: Carly Wickenheiser

    We sit down with Courage midfielder Carly Wickenheiser to talk about her journey from youth soccer through seven years in Sweden and finally to the NWSL. She tells us what she sees coming for this team in the second half of the season and more.


    Looking Ahead: Racing Louisville

    Louisville is sitting in 15th, but they're built to frustrate. We break down their person-to-person defending style and why this feels like a must-win before the June international break.


    Courage News

    Ashley Sanchez continues to shine bright this season as NWSL Player of the Month and Sports Illustrated's NWSL MVP of the Month for April. We also discuss English phenom, Erica Parkinson, transfer reports, and what it might mean for the roster.


    Around the League

    Fairly slow week, the biggest news being Racing Louisville is reportedly looking to sell a partial stake in the club.


    About The Lion’s Pitch Podcast

    Welcome 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 & Follow

    Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and find us online at lionspitch.com, follow us on Bluesky @lionspitch.bsky.social, or on Instagram @thelionspitch

    • Hosted by Trevor Knoblich and Katie Cleary
    • Produced by Mary Pruter
    • Edited by Danielle Russell

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    52 mins
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