by Alyce Collett (18/7/26)
Above: Ashley Sanchez (left) and Ally Schlegel (right) will be key players for North Carolina this afternoon against Bay FC. Photo: via North Carolina Courage.
It is match day once again for the North Carolina Courage as they get set to take on Bay FC in California this afternoon.
Speaking to the media yesterday ahead of the clash, Courage coach Mak Lind said that he was “excited to a new game, new opportunity. We were not happy with the performance last game in the first half.”
“[We had a] much better second half, and hopefully we can continue the performance we had in the second half against Washington and bounce back not only with the result, but also a good performance.
“I feel like the energy has been good during the week. Details in place, emphasis in how we can be more skilled when we have the ball and then try to create more goal scoring opportunities.”
Midfielder Riley Jackson – who joined her coach at yesterday’s press conference – shared her coach’s excitement ahead of the game.
“I’m excited. I’m always excited for a game day” Jackson confessed.
“I think the energy this week at training has been really great. Coming off of a loss in the previous weekend, I think this team is never say die, and I think we’re really excited with the momentum that we’ve had in the past couple months, and so I think we’re just approaching this week and trying to get a win.”
When asked about the most important part of the game will be, Lind highlighted the importance of winning the midfield battle.
“In general, games are won by being very dominant centrally of the pitch, and midfield is an important space to manage and to handle” Lind explained.
“So of course that’s an important piece. At the same time, we have been talking about our in possession lower down on the pitch, how we can progress the ball, making sure we give ourselves opportunity to play attacking high up on the pitch.
“Last game I felt that we played lower down on the pitch and could not really progress the ball the way we want to, and if we fix that part, we’re going to be so much more dangerous and create more goal scoring opportunities.”
Jackson also highlighted how the team has been trying to fix the slow starts the team has been having in recent weeks.
“Obviously it’s important to be able to bounce back after getting scored on, and obviously carrying intensity into the second half is huge” Jackson explained.
“I think we’re definitely one of the fittest teams in the league, and that shows in the way that we’re able to perform across the entire game.
I think we do need to lock in more in the first half. We’ve seen that across several games now, and so we’ve been really trying to make adjustments as a team to figure out what’s causing us to maybe have a slow start, and carry that same energy that we have in the second half through the entire game.”
It has been a big year for Jackson so far, who has been playing a bigger role in a new look Courage midfield in 2026.
“I think my role on this team has evolved every single year” Jackson explained.
“I think it evolves game to game. An important part about that is just me being ready to be asked what, or to do what I’m asked to do, but also be adaptable in that, and so I’m getting myself in the new role that I have to play.
“I’ve definitely been higher on the pitch, which has been an adjustment for me. Obviously I’m still playing with Shinomi [Koyami], she’s a familiar face.
“But I think our principles have changed a bit, so it’s definitely been an adjustment for us in the midfield figuring out our connections.
“I’m super grateful to have had more of a challenge this season just in my role and having to step up as a leader has been really cool for me.”
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