The Lions Pitch
@lionspitch.bsky.social
Independent media covering the NWSL's NC Courage, with a weekly newsletter + podcast. Match analysis, league updates and more.
https://www.lionspitch.com
Hosted by: @featuringtrevor and @kt1986
Producer: @marypruter
Editor: @likethe309
https://www.lionspitch.com
Hosted by: @featuringtrevor and @kt1986
Producer: @marypruter
Editor: @likethe309
Reposted by The Lions Pitch
Maestro. Magician. Manaka Matsukubo. 🪄
Your 2025 Midfielder of the Year.
Your 2025 Midfielder of the Year.
November 19, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Maestro. Magician. Manaka Matsukubo. 🪄
Your 2025 Midfielder of the Year.
Your 2025 Midfielder of the Year.
Reposted by The Lions Pitch
Next Up: The North Carolina Courage narrowly missed the playoffs -- a 1pt margin -- and had their lowest finish since joining the league in 2017
www.spotrac.com/news/_/id/30...
www.spotrac.com/news/_/id/30...
November 13, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Next Up: The North Carolina Courage narrowly missed the playoffs -- a 1pt margin -- and had their lowest finish since joining the league in 2017
www.spotrac.com/news/_/id/30...
www.spotrac.com/news/_/id/30...
Reposted by The Lions Pitch
The Kansas City Current announced Vlatko Andonovski, who served as HC and sporting director since Oct 2023, will transition into a new role as the global sporting director
The search for its next head coach begins now & Andonovski will continue his role as head coach until his successor is named
The search for its next head coach begins now & Andonovski will continue his role as head coach until his successor is named
November 14, 2025 at 8:16 PM
The Kansas City Current announced Vlatko Andonovski, who served as HC and sporting director since Oct 2023, will transition into a new role as the global sporting director
The search for its next head coach begins now & Andonovski will continue his role as head coach until his successor is named
The search for its next head coach begins now & Andonovski will continue his role as head coach until his successor is named
Newsletter went out! PHEW! Also, here's part 1 of 3 of our post-season recap: what the Courage should keep heading into 2026. www.lionspitch.com/season-recap...
Season recap: what needs to stay steady for 2026 - The Lion's Pitch
In one of our final newsletters of 2025, I described the Courage season as primarily feeling like "unfinished business" – referencing a squad that showed intense promise at times, but fell short of th...
www.lionspitch.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Newsletter went out! PHEW! Also, here's part 1 of 3 of our post-season recap: what the Courage should keep heading into 2026. www.lionspitch.com/season-recap...
Reposted by The Lions Pitch
End of an era in Courage country as their 4x ironwoman and alternate captain moves on after a great run.
In clearly the most important consequence, the Courage will need to find another designated Hurricanes fan for all their cross-promotion.
In clearly the most important consequence, the Courage will need to find another designated Hurricanes fan for all their cross-promotion.
Thank you, KK, for 8 record-breaking years with the Courage 🦾
Wishing free agent Kaleigh Kurtz the best in her next journey!
Wishing free agent Kaleigh Kurtz the best in her next journey!
November 12, 2025 at 4:11 PM
End of an era in Courage country as their 4x ironwoman and alternate captain moves on after a great run.
In clearly the most important consequence, the Courage will need to find another designated Hurricanes fan for all their cross-promotion.
In clearly the most important consequence, the Courage will need to find another designated Hurricanes fan for all their cross-promotion.
Reposted by The Lions Pitch
Thank you, KK, for 8 record-breaking years with the Courage 🦾
Wishing free agent Kaleigh Kurtz the best in her next journey!
Wishing free agent Kaleigh Kurtz the best in her next journey!
November 12, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Thank you, KK, for 8 record-breaking years with the Courage 🦾
Wishing free agent Kaleigh Kurtz the best in her next journey!
Wishing free agent Kaleigh Kurtz the best in her next journey!
Our final regular episode of the season is out now, including a breakdown of the Gotham match and a post-season recap. Listen wherever you get your podcasts! #nwsl #nccourage
open.spotify.com/episode/3xjw...
open.spotify.com/episode/3xjw...
Final Whistle, Next Chapter
open.spotify.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:44 AM
Our final regular episode of the season is out now, including a breakdown of the Gotham match and a post-season recap. Listen wherever you get your podcasts! #nwsl #nccourage
open.spotify.com/episode/3xjw...
open.spotify.com/episode/3xjw...
😱 😍 🥅
Manaka Matsukubo intercepts and sends it soaring over the keeper to double NC's lead 🚀
November 2, 2025 at 10:41 PM
😱 😍 🥅
CAST MANAKA IN BRONZE
November 2, 2025 at 10:36 PM
CAST MANAKA IN BRONZE
Reposted by The Lions Pitch
Ann-Katrin Berger and Feli Rauch link up in North Carolina for a German reunion 🇩🇪
Presented by Google Pixel
Presented by Google Pixel
November 2, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Ann-Katrin Berger and Feli Rauch link up in North Carolina for a German reunion 🇩🇪
Presented by Google Pixel
Presented by Google Pixel
Reposted by The Lions Pitch
Marta is ready for a little Decision Day chaos ✌️
November 2, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Marta is ready for a little Decision Day chaos ✌️
Sully back 💪
Bell in, presumably to help against Gotham’s fierce press.
But it all means Sanchez is a sub 🧐
Bell in, presumably to help against Gotham’s fierce press.
But it all means Sanchez is a sub 🧐
November 2, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Sully back 💪
Bell in, presumably to help against Gotham’s fierce press.
But it all means Sanchez is a sub 🧐
Bell in, presumably to help against Gotham’s fierce press.
But it all means Sanchez is a sub 🧐
Reposted by The Lions Pitch
Our XI pushing for the playoffs.
November 2, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Our XI pushing for the playoffs.
Today's the day! Are you feeling confident? Or are your palms sweaty? 😅
Courage and Racing both kick off at 5:15p.
If you're headed to First Horizon Stadium, get there early.
If you're streaming, the match will be on ESPN, except they are in a fight with YouTubeTV, so not there.
Courage and Racing both kick off at 5:15p.
If you're headed to First Horizon Stadium, get there early.
If you're streaming, the match will be on ESPN, except they are in a fight with YouTubeTV, so not there.
November 2, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Today's the day! Are you feeling confident? Or are your palms sweaty? 😅
Courage and Racing both kick off at 5:15p.
If you're headed to First Horizon Stadium, get there early.
If you're streaming, the match will be on ESPN, except they are in a fight with YouTubeTV, so not there.
Courage and Racing both kick off at 5:15p.
If you're headed to First Horizon Stadium, get there early.
If you're streaming, the match will be on ESPN, except they are in a fight with YouTubeTV, so not there.
Looking like Manaka available. Pinto back! Also Berger might be back in goal.
November 1, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Looking like Manaka available. Pinto back! Also Berger might be back in goal.
Get ready for Decision Day tomorrow!
open.spotify.com/episode/0VXm...
open.spotify.com/episode/0VXm...
November 1, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Get ready for Decision Day tomorrow!
open.spotify.com/episode/0VXm...
open.spotify.com/episode/0VXm...
Reposted by The Lions Pitch
#なでしこジャパン
The JFA announces that Manaka Matsukubo (North Carolina Courage) has to withdraw from the match vs Norway on Tuesday due to injury.
There won't be called up any replacement.
www.jfa.jp/women/news/0...
#woso #女子サッカー
The JFA announces that Manaka Matsukubo (North Carolina Courage) has to withdraw from the match vs Norway on Tuesday due to injury.
There won't be called up any replacement.
www.jfa.jp/women/news/0...
#woso #女子サッカー
女子サッカー TOP｜JFA｜公益財団法人日本サッカー協会
女子サッカーに関する情報をまとめたページです。なでしこジャパンをはじめとする各カテゴリの日本女子代表、国内女子大会、女子選手の育成や普及活動を発信しています。
www.jfa.jp
October 27, 2025 at 5:48 AM
#なでしこジャパン
The JFA announces that Manaka Matsukubo (North Carolina Courage) has to withdraw from the match vs Norway on Tuesday due to injury.
There won't be called up any replacement.
www.jfa.jp/women/news/0...
#woso #女子サッカー
The JFA announces that Manaka Matsukubo (North Carolina Courage) has to withdraw from the match vs Norway on Tuesday due to injury.
There won't be called up any replacement.
www.jfa.jp/women/news/0...
#woso #女子サッカー
Reposted by The Lions Pitch
The U.S Under-17 Women’s National Team defeated Norway 5-0 to win Group C at the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The USA will now face the third-place team from Group A, B or F on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 11:30 a.m. ET on FS2.
The USA will now face the third-place team from Group A, B or F on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 11:30 a.m. ET on FS2.
October 24, 2025 at 4:26 PM
The U.S Under-17 Women’s National Team defeated Norway 5-0 to win Group C at the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The USA will now face the third-place team from Group A, B or F on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 11:30 a.m. ET on FS2.
The USA will now face the third-place team from Group A, B or F on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 11:30 a.m. ET on FS2.
Reposted by The Lions Pitch
I had the honor of covering this generation from start to finish of pro careers—the sport's a different world now—and this truly is the end of an era. Press, Riley, Barnes + Morgan/Sauerbrunn before. The one-club career for 13 years, the 200+ international cap club. We won't see much of that again.
October 20, 2025 at 12:46 AM
I had the honor of covering this generation from start to finish of pro careers—the sport's a different world now—and this truly is the end of an era. Press, Riley, Barnes + Morgan/Sauerbrunn before. The one-club career for 13 years, the 200+ international cap club. We won't see much of that again.
Reposted by The Lions Pitch
Who wants to throw in to hire all these folks #CourageCountry
October 18, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Who wants to throw in to hire all these folks #CourageCountry
Reposted by The Lions Pitch
NC Courage said let’s have a MFing Decision Day
October 18, 2025 at 3:51 AM
NC Courage said let’s have a MFing Decision Day
Reposted by The Lions Pitch
MANAKA MAGIC ONCE AGAIN 🪄
October 18, 2025 at 2:29 AM
MANAKA MAGIC ONCE AGAIN 🪄
Assassin was the correct word choice for Manaka 😂
October 18, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Assassin was the correct word choice for Manaka 😂
Of course it happened that way 😂
October 18, 2025 at 2:14 AM
Of course it happened that way 😂