On Wednesday night the North Carolina Courage booked their ticket to the NWSL playoffs and remain in first place in the league. Despite having just played 19 games, the Courage are five points clear of the Portland Thorns and 10 ahead of the Chicago Red Stars. The team will have a chance to add to that lead when the visit the Windy Suburb on Sunday afternoon.
The match Wednesday featured a back and forth first half with the Washington Spirit pull ahead early thanks to an 8th minute goal from Estefania Banini.