Kicking Off … Three NC Players Will Represent England in the U-20 Women’s World Cup
Is England the North Carolina team in the 2026 FIFA U-20 World Cup?
You can’t blame us for getting the impression. B Hylton of Carolina Ascent FC and both Erica Meg Parkinson and Lauryn Thompson of the NC Courage will play for the Young Lionesses as they take on 23 of the best Under-20 teams in football.
The biennial competition kicks off September 5th and runs through the 27th. As Hylton told Soccer Sheet, this one is especially important as it takes place in the lead up to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. You can watch our interview with Hylton below, or here on YouTube.
England will face Brazil, Canada, and Tanzania in the group stage, while the United States U-20 squad drew Italy, Japan, and New Zealand. The U.S. squad is not without Tar Heel ties: defenders Aven Alvarez and Hope Munson both play for Carolina, and both midfielder Linda Ullmark and forward Sealey Strawn formerly played in Chapel Hill.
The defending champions are North Korea, who are tied with the U.S. for most championships with 3.
Lineups: What You Need to Know
Fifth place Charlotte FC (9-7-5, 32 Points) travel to Atlanta for the I-85 Derby on Saturday, August 29. Atlanta United (6-12-3, 21 Points) may be in 12th place, but they’ve won their last three matches.
The sixth place NC Courage (10-7-3, 33 Points) continue their homestand tonight against ninth place Angel City FC (7-7-5, 26 Points) after defeating Boston Legacy FC 2-1.
NC Courage star Ashley Sanchez took the lead in the NWSL’s Golden Boot race, adding two goals for a total of 13. Barbara Banda of the Orlando Pride is second with 12 goals, and the Courage have a game in hand over the Pride.
She also earned NWSL Player of the Week honors.
Sanchez also set a new record with the latest goal in regulation in NWSL history at 90+17’, completing her brace and winning the match for the home team.
The goal came in officially at 106:50 on the clock.
Sanchez got the ball past former NC Courage goalkeeper Casey Murphy, who returned to WakeMed Soccer Park for the first time since shipping up to Boston. Watch the historic goal below (video by Sam Spencer):
Carolina Ascent FC (2-0-0, 6 Points) moved into first place in the USL Super League with a 1-3 win at Dallas Trinity on Saturday.
The Ascent play their first home match of the 14-fixture USL Super League Fall Season on Saturday, August 29 at 7:00 PM against Tampa Bay Sun FC (0-1-1, 1 Point).
The second place Charlotte Independence (13-4-4, 43 Points) earned a point on the road with a 1-1 draw in Wisconsin against USL League One rival Forward Madison.
Crown Legacy FC clinched a playoff spot, while Carolina Core FC will miss out on the playoffs this year.
However, Carolina Core took the “interim” off of Jake Davis’ head coach title, so at least the front office is happy with a new direction since sacking most of their coaching staff in May.
First Half: The Latest from Soccer Sheet
Powered by Pep Biel, Charlotte Rally Past D.C. United, 3-1
“Kids Rule!” night at Bank of America Stadium got exactly the kind of storybook moment it deserved. Charlotte FC (9-7-5, 32 Points) fell behind early against D.C. United (5-7-9, 24 Points), then roared back with three g…
Halftime: Soccer Fact of the Week
While Boston Legacy FC goalkeeper Casey Murphy already made her first visit to North Carolina since leaving, another goalkeeper is coming back tonight: Angel City FC goalkeeper Meagan McClelland, who most recently played for Carolina Ascent FC.
Second Half: Social Media Shares
Some of our most recent content from Instagram:
Postgame: Candid Comments
“Yeah, I think that’s the craziest game I’ve been involved in.”
NC Courage Defender Maycee Bell on the NC Courage’s 2-1 win over Boston Legacy FC after 19 minutes of second half stoppage time.