North Carolina Courage fall 2-0 to Spirit in NWSL Women clash

North Carolina Courage’s five-game winless streak grew on July 13, 2026 after a 2-0 defeat to Washington Spirit at home. Goals from Santos and Rodman sealed the points for the visitors, leaving the Courage 7th in the NWSL Women with 21 points from 13 matches.

What happened in Raleigh?

The Spirit started brightly and took the lead in the 12th minute when Santos slotted home after a quick counter. North Carolina Courage pushed hard for an equalizer but conceded again in the 38th minute when Rodman finished clinically from inside the box. The second half saw few clear chances as both teams struggled to break down stubborn defenses.

Why it matters for North Carolina Courage

The defeat drops the Courage to 7th in the NWSL Women, seven points behind leaders San Diego Wave W, and extends a worrying run of form that now reads LWWWW. With 20 goals scored and 16 conceded, the goal difference sits at +4, but the recent losses risk slipping further down the table. The club sits on 21 points from 13 games, six wins, three draws, and four losses.

What comes next?

North Carolina Courage will look to regroup quickly as they return to action in the NWSL Women. The next fixture is expected to be a must-win clash to halt the slide and keep their playoff hopes alive. The squad’s next outing will be closely watched after this latest setback leaves them seven points adrift of the summit.