North Carolina Courage beat Angel City FC 2-0 on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at First Horizon Stadium (WakeMed Soccer Park) in Cary, North Carolina. Forward Ashley Sanchez scored both Courage goals, and her second put her at 15 goals for the season — breaking the club’s single-season scoring record.
Key facts
- Final score: North Carolina Courage 2, Angel City FC 0
- When and where: Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at First Horizon Stadium (WakeMed Soccer Park) in Cary, North Carolina
- Record breaker: Ashley Sanchez scored both goals, reaching 15 for the season — a new North Carolina single-season scoring record
- Previous record: 14 goals, set by Lynn Williams (also known as Lynn Biyendolo) in 2019
- Shots: Reports differed on total shots: one listed North Carolina ahead 17-6 (3-1 on target), while another listed Angel City ahead 17-4.
- Season series: North Carolina has now won both meetings this season — 2-1 on May 31 and 2-0 on August 26
How the match unfolded
Sanchez opened the scoring in the 41st minute. She added a second goal later in the second half that pushed her past North Carolina’s previous single-season scoring mark — reported as 14 goals, set by Lynn Williams (also known as Lynn Biyendolo) in 2019. Sanchez now leads the league in goals this season. She entered the match as the league’s reigning Player of the Week after a two-goal outing against Boston Legacy, and her record-breaking goal came with an assist from Courage goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan.
Both goalkeepers had busy nights. Sheridan made three saves for North Carolina, and Angelina Anderson made three for Angel City.
Comebacks and an injury scare
The match also carried two comeback storylines for Angel City. Defender Savy King made her third straight appearance off the bench, continuing her return after a season-ending cardiac event during a May 2025 NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) match and the open-heart surgery that followed. Forward Sveindís Jónsdóttir also returned, entering in the 61st minute for her first appearance since early August after an injury absence.
North Carolina had a scare of its own. Defender Maycee Bell appeared to injure her arm in the second half and was helped off the field on a stretcher; her status afterward was not immediately available.
Reaction and season series
Afterward, in comments released by the club, Angel City captain Sarah Gorden and coach Smerud pointed to finishing as the difference: they said the team had been “a step behind” and lacked “the final percentages to convert.”
Angel City had drawn its previous four matches, and this loss ended that streak. It was the second meeting between the two clubs this season — North Carolina also won the first matchup, 2-1, in Los Angeles on May 31.
What’s next
Angel City is next scheduled to play Boston Legacy FC on Monday, August 31, at 5 p.m. PT, with the match airing on NWSL+ and CBS Sports Network.