After a month-long hiatus due to the men’s World Cup taking place in North America, the NWSL returns to action this weekend amid a grueling heat wave. The Reign are on the road since Lumen Field has one more World Cup game to host on Monday, making a visit to North Carolina to face the Courage.

With temperatures in the region expected to be near 100°F, the league proactively pushed back kickoff of this match by an hour, with the game now scheduled to begin at 4:30 PM PT. That also necessitated a change in broadcast plans; the game can now be found on NWSL+.

Ahead of the break, the Reign last played at Washington, where they fell 2-1 to the Spirit. The Courage are riding at three-match winning streak, most recently defeating Angel City on the road by a 2-1 score at the end of May.

Keys to the game

Strike early and make the Courage chase the game
Be smart about pressing with the heat
Start the second half of the season strong

Notes

Expect hydration breaks and potentially additional delays to kickoff if temperatures or humidity are higher than forecast.
While some teams have started announcing mid-season roster moves, the summer transfer window does not open for another 10 days. Players coming from other leagues, such as new Courage signing Erica Meg Parkinson, are not yet eligible to play.
2025 NWSL Midfielder of the Year Manaka Matsukubo was transferred earlier this week from the Courage to Chelsea.
Claudia Dickey is out with an ankle injury she picked up during USWNT camp in Brazil last month. Jess Fishlock is nearing a return from a lower leg injury and traveled with the team, but head coach Laura Harvey said today’s game was just a bit too soon for her.

Injuries, absences, suspensions

Reign: OUT: Lynn Biyendolo (Maternity Leave), Claudia Dickey (Ankle), Jess Fishlock (Lower leg), Shae Holmes (Knee)

Courage: OUT: Payton Crawford (Knee - SEI), Natalie Jacobs (Ankle), Sydney Schmidt (Knee - SEI)

Recent form

Reign: DLLWL (4-5-2, -3 GD; 10th place)
Courage: LLWWW (5-3-3, +4 GD; 7th place)

Officials

REF: Cristian Campo Hernandez; AR1: Sarah Gaddes; AR2: Colin Ashley; 4TH: John Matto; VAR: Katja Koroleva; AVAR: Jay Norris

How to Watch

Match date/kickoff time: Saturday, July 4th, 4:30 PM PT

Venue: First Horizon Stadium, Cary, NC

Broadcast: NWSL+ (Michael Wottreng and Jill Loyden)

Is this game available to stream for free in the US? Yes!

Lineups

Tonight's starting XI as we face the Courage 💪 #NCvSEA Read More ➡️ rgnfc.com/4wrPmop

[image or embed]
— Seattle Reign FC (@reignfc.com) 3:55 PM · Jul 4, 2026

Stars, Stripes & Starting XI.

[image or embed]
— North Carolina Courage (@nccourage.com) 3:39 PM · Jul 4, 2026

Highlights

19’ - REIGN GOAL! Mia Fishel picks up a ball along the sideline, finds Sofia Huerta making an underlapping run, and she crosses to Sally Menti in the middle at the top of the box. Menti smashes it into the side netting and away from the diving Kailen Sheridan. 1-0 Seattle

SALLY MENTI SMASHES IT 💥

[image or embed]
— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) 5:01 PM · Jul 4, 2026

22’ - Courage goal. Sam Meza gives up the ball about 25 yards out while under pressure, it falls kindly to Evelyn Ijeh, who quickly finds Ashley Sanchez. Her shot takes a kind deflection off Jordyn Bugg and skids past Cassie Miller. 1-1

Ashley Sanchez wins it back and buries it 👏 Her eighth goal of the season!

[image or embed]
— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) 5:09 PM · Jul 4, 2026

64’ - Courage goal. Madison Curry attempts to tackle the ball away from Ally Schlegel in the Reign box in a 1v1 and initially appears to have been successful, but VAR sends the referee to review the play which confirms that Curry committed a foul. Riley Jackson buries the ensuing penalty. 2-1 North Carolina

A BEAUTY of a PK from Riley Jackson 🎯

[image or embed]
— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) 6:05 PM · Jul 4, 2026

71’ - Courage goal. Shinomi Koyama finds Ashley Sanchez making a run behind the Reign defense, and she calmly slots it home far post. 3-1 North Carolina.