NC Courage announce final 2018 roster

The NC Courage have announced their final 23 woman 20 woman roster. Wait what? Since the Boston Breakers folded each team got an additional two players for their first teams. On the one hand, that’s great! It means that the teams can have a full 11v11 of actually paid rostered players. The 23rd player is Yuri Kawamura who is out with injury and will not count against the roster

Per the team the roster as it stands is:

NC Courage Roster

(23 out of 20 spots filled)

Goalkeepers (2): Sabrina D’Angelo (FED-CAN), Katelyn Rowland

Defenders (8): Abby Erceg (INTL-NZ), Abby Dahlkemper (FED-USA), Jaelene Hinkle, Merritt Mathias, Allysha Chapman (FED-CAN/DD), Kaleigh Kurtz, Julie King (DD), Yuri Kawamura (INTL-JPN/D45)

Midfielders (7): McCall Zerboni, Samantha Mewis (FED-USA), Denise O’Sullivan (INTL-IRL), Debinha (INTL-BRA), Elizabeth Eddy, Meredith Speck, Makenzy Doniak (SEI)

Forwards (6): Lynn Williams (FED-USA), Crystal Dunn (FED-USA), Jessica McDonald, Darian Jenkins, Kristen Hamilton, Frannie Crouse

ACTIVE ROSTER KEY: FED - Federation Player; INTL – International Roster Spot

The main pre-season departures for the Courage were Taylor Smith and Ashley Hatch who went to the Washington Spirit in exchange for the rights for Crystal Dunn. The USWNT forward is a huge addition for the Courage and should either give coach Paul Riley the option to play three very skilled forwards in Dunn, Williams and McDonald or allow him to stash one of them on the bench in a super sub role. It is also worth noting that Yuri Kawamura is still on the disabled list after tearing her ACL last season.

New year, new kit

The new Courage home strip is a navy blue jersey with gold sleeves and a white collar.

The away jersey keeps the style in the home kit consistent with a white kit and navy sleeves.

The Courage will kick of the 2018 season on Saturday March 24 against the Portland Thorns in a re-match of the 2017 NWSL Championship.