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2025 NC Courage offseason - potential signing targets

·23 mins
Spoilers…

Previously:

Let’s deep dive into potential free agent and transfer targets for the Courage for 2026.

I’m excluding college signings from this, although I’m sure the Courage are looking there as well. If you want to learn about some college players, check out André Carlisle’s list of goal scorers to watch in the NCAA tournament.

Credits & stat info #

Stats used in these articles come from Opta via FBRef and from American Soccer Analysis.

Charts come from ASA’s VizHub, courtesy Catalina Bush.

Learn more about these stats (click to expand)

Stats used in this series of posts include:

  • Expected goals (xG): how likely a shot is, based on where and how it was taken, to be a goal. A “good” shot is 0.15 or higher.
  • Post-shot expected goals (PSxG): how likely a shot is to be a goal based on where it went on frame. This isn’t as predictive as xG for shooters, but is used to determine the quality of the shots goalkeepers faced, and whether they saved more than expected. Usually reported as PSxG±/90: goals allowed minus PSxG, normalized to be per game.
  • Expected assisted goals (xAG): the amount of xG that came from a players passes.
  • g+: A measure of how much an action (passing, receiving passes, interrupting possession, dribbling, etc) increased or decreased the chances of scoring a goal.

For most stats, see this FBRef explainer. To learn more about g+, read American Soccer Analysis.

Basic info, courtesy Spotrac #

North Carolina heads into 2026 with 18 players under contract, needing to have between 22 and 26 by the start of the season.

They have filled 5 of 6 international slots (they traded one through 2026 to San Diego as part of the initial Jaedyn Shaw trade). Their international slots are currently occupied by:

  • Aline Gomes
  • Shinomi Koyama
  • Manaka Matsukubo
  • Felicitas Rauch
  • Cortnee Vine

Finances #

Their cap status is not public. Given that in the past year they have moved on from Casey Murphy, Kaleigh Kurtz, and Jaedyn Shaw, and likely will move on from FA veterans Tyler Lussi and Dani Weatherholt, a safe assumption is that they have a decent amount of space to spend under the cap, if they were even spending to the cap to begin with.

Similarly, while the payment schedule of the Jaedyn Shaw transfer has not been announced, they almost certainly have a large balance of transfer funds available to spend. Note that per the CBA, 25% of any payments over $500-550k in a given year count against the salary cap, so the Courage are incented to get their payments spread over multiple years.

In October, Courage owner Steve Malik took on $10m in debt and option financing from existing board members James Datin and Jim Goodmon (of Capitol Broadcasting). We also know he is still looking for another majority investor, and that he decided to put North Carolina FC on hiatus in order to push for a new stadium.

It’s entirely possible that ownership will just pocket the extra cap space and transfer funds, rather than re-investing in the team.

But pocketing the funds would be:

  • lame, for a club that says they want to return to championship competition
  • no fun, for the purpose of writing this blog

Therefore, I will in this post assume they plan to spend on improving the roster.

Goalkeeping #

Under contract #

Likely re-signed #

Moving on #

Needs: another keeper, role TBD #

With Marisa Jordan under contract, and Katie Cappalletti probable to be signed as a depth player, the Courage still need at least one goalkeeper. Given that their single under-contract goalkeeper has all of five NWSL starts, they should be looking for one they trust can step in and start if necessary, whether as a #1, #1a, or #2. However, the pickings are slim.

Free agents #

Katie Lund has trended downwards since her first season, and is coming off an injury. Abby Smith is 32, and has not ever been able to turn her shot-stopping into a nailed-down starter role. DiDi Haracic hasn’t had an above average season since 2022, and is 33. Alyssa Naeher is Alyssa Naeher, but is not any sort of long term option and will likely cost more than makes sense.

If the Courage are looking at NWSL free agents, one option is:

Laurel Ivory (26), Kansas City Current #

Over the past two years, Ivory has played in 11 games (started 10) for the Reign and Current, averaging a very respectable +0.24 PSxG±/90 (FBRef) from a shot-stopping perspective. She was also a plus passer in 2024; her passing stats in 2024 were better than Murphy’s.

She’s not great on crosses, possibly because she is 5'9" (relatively short for a professional keeper). While she doesn’t have many defensive plays outside the penalty area, per ASA’s sweeping metric, she rated better than both Murphy and Jordan.

One caveat is depending on the stats you look at, you find very different metrics. While FBref rates her as a +0.24 shot stopper per game, ASA rates her as a negative -0.25 shot stopper per game. Why? Beats me beyond “different PSxG models”.

She has a mutual option with the Current for 2026. If the Courage want her, they’d probably have to hand her the starter’s job and/or a raise to get her to decline her option with KC and sign in NC.

Transfer options #

Bella Bixby (29), Portland Thorns #

Among under-contract goalkeepers with starting experience, Bixby is an intriguing option. She is currently backing up Mackenzie Arnold in Portland, as she is signed through the 2026 season.

She has three good shotstopping seasons (one bad), has performed well in claiming crosses, and this year has added a sweeper keeper element, with 11 defensive actions outside the penalty area in just 7 starts. This season, she’s also provided the third highest passing value per game, per ASA.

Year Games PSxG±/90 Cross stop %
2021 16 +0.12 4.8%
2022 20 +0.22 8.3%
2023 21 -0.17 8.5%
2025 7 +0.37 5.7%

Going past shot-stopping, there is one some warning flag: she’s been error-prone. She has been charged with 6 errors in 64 starts (compared to Murphy’s 7 in 126).

Bixby was raised in, went to college in, and has only signed with professional teams in, Oregon. It’s possible she would rather stay a backup for Portland than move and start, and Portland may not be willing to sell. But she’d be a good 1A/1B if the Courage were to make a move.

Hope Hisey (24), Spokane Zephyr #

Hope Hisey was a 2024 draftee of the KC Current who was waived mid-year, and then joined the Zephyr of the USL Super League. She went on to be named the goalkeeper of the year by league coaching staffs, as she posted the best shot-stopping stats in the league, along with 9 clean sheets in 21 starts.

USL Super League GK Goals Prevented Per 90' and Overall

Not sure there's a ton of interest here. No real outliers either way.

Spokane's Hope Hisey finished on top of both categories.

[image or embed]

— Chris Henderson (@chris-awk.bsky.social) June 2, 2025 at 1:38 PM

So far in the 2025-26 season, Hisey has allowed just 13 goals on 17.9 xG, with 5 clean sheets.

Per ASA’s metrics, over the past two years, she’s been the best shot-stopper in the Super League, and has ranked at or above average in every other tracked metric. Over the Super League’s existence she’s been over twice as valuable on a per-game basis than the next qualified keeper.

There aren’t any public models that adjust USL Super League performances into NWSL equivalents, but Hisey is the clear class of USL goalkeepers and would make a good option for the Courage to round out the goalkeeper room.

Center back #

Under contract #

Moving on #

All signs point to moving on #

Needs: none #

The Courage have two regular NWSL starters under contract, and two young reserves, both of whom have started NWSL games.

They do not need more center backs unless they’re selling some for some reason.

Outside back #

Under contract #

Likely moving on #

Needs: a backup they trust to be NWSL-ready #

Before the October 16th signing of Schmidt, the Courage had only two outside backs under contract for 2026, one of whom played less than half the year due to injury.

Sydney Schmidt now provides depth and youth as a necessary first step. But going into 2026 with the only depth being a 17-year-old with zero NWSL minutes isn’t wise.

They also eventually need to think about a succession plan for Rauch and Williams, who will both be 31 when their contracts end after 2027.

This is one of the most likely places for the Courage to sign a college player, but there are some other options available.

Free agents #

For North Carolina’s needs, they are looking for a fullback who:

  • Shows NWSL capability
  • Is OK being depth that will play very little, barring injury

While that’s generally harder to find in free agency, there is one intriguing option.

Anna Heilferty (26), Houston Dash #

Drafted by the Spirit in 2021, Anna Heilferty floated around positions a little before settling in as an outside back in 2021 and 2022, where she provided defensive value and safe passing.

Her passing was down in 2022; she provided more passing value in 2021

She tore her ACL in the 2023 preseason, and then tore her ACL again in her second substitute appearance in 2024. Signed to a short-term contract by the Houston Dash, she appeared as a substitute in five matches towards the end of 2025, where she was still a plus defender.

While Heilferty would not provide the same passing and progression that they get from Rauch and Williams, her defense would be useful in late game scenarios. In the case of injury to a starter, it’s also better to have defense covered and work out how to replace the offense, than to have to gameplan for the reverse.

If she’s interested in keeping her soccer career going, she will be two years out from her injury and would be a viable depth option for the Courage.

Transfer options #

Alyssa Bourgeios (23), Lexington SC #

Alyssa Bourgeios was a 2024 draft pick of the Houston Dash, but never made a NWSL roster.

In 2024, Bourgeios was a key part of the Spokane Zephyr attack from right back, contributing dribbling and passing into the final third and the box in a very Ryan Williams-like way.

69% forward, 80% expected completion == aggressive passing

While her aggressive passing led to a high turnover rate, she was excellent overall, including defensive recoveries, blocks, and clearances.

Passing, dribbling, carrying, and good defensive rates

For the 2025-26 season, Lexington SC brought Bourgeois in as part of fixing their very very bad defense.

For Lexington, she’s been asked to play more conservatively, but she still remains a plus passer who is heavily involved in the buildup.

Dribbling and carrying dropped, but retaining passing value without as many turnovers

One of the good things about the USL Super League is it allows recent college graduates to show their mettle against pros, which both helps them develop, and also can make evaluation easier. Bourgeios has built 1½ years of pro experience, and now reads as a potential NWSL backup that could fill Ryan Williams’ buildup role if needed, and possibly develop into something more.

Deep-lying midfield #

Under contract #

Moving on to Chicago #

Likely moving on #

Needs: defensive midfield depth #

With O’Sullivan’s presumed return to health, the starting positions are locked down between Sully and Riley Jackson, with Shinomi as a rotation piece. However, they suffered defensively when O’Sullivan was out, and neither Jackson or O’Sullivan is signed past 2026.

If they don’t look at a college prospect to develop, there are some options for more steel in their midfield depth.

UPDATE: literally 15 minutes after I posted this, the Courage announced that they re-signed Dani Weatherholt. You can probably ignore this section.

Free agents #

Bayley Feist (28), Kansas City Current #

Bayley Feist is a primarily defensive midfielder who has been a reserve since 22 appearances (12 starts) for the Washington Spirit in 2022.

While she had less than 500 minutes combined in 2023 and 2025, she had over 700 minutes for the Current in 2024 where she offered solid defensive play and a little offensive threat.

About 200 minutes were played further forward, which inflates the xG + xAG a little

If the Courage are looking for a veteran who can come off the bench to close out games, and provide some defensive midfield depth in case of injury, Feist could provide the needed cover.

Transfer options #

Samantha Kroeger (23), Brooklyn FC #

Samantha Kroeger, a product of Rutgers, has put up over 3700 minutes as a defensive midfielder in the USL Super League. Her passing in the 2024-25 season didn’t provide much value as she played primarily as a disrupter.

Mini midfield murder machine (™ André Carlisle)

In this season, she’s been less defensive and added more passing, but her prior destroyer work would be depth that isn’t on the Courage roster right now.

Nicole Vernis (24), Lexington FC/Lazio/unattached (???) #

Nicole Vernis, another USL prospect, played collegiately at Florida and Georgia. She posted very good interrupting numbers in half a season for Lexington FC, while still putting up average passing numbers.

Less murder-y, more all-around

While on a short-term loan to Lazio, she apparently went AWOL; for all I know she is angling for a move back to the states.

Attacking midfield #

Under contract #

All signs point to moving on #

Needs: Minimal #

The Courage have Sanchez and Manaka, and Shinomi can and has played attacking midfield. As a depth option, Oli Peña is there as well.

They don’t need any more attacking midfielders… except for the fact that they have no one other than Shinomi under contract after 2026. While extending Manaka and Sanchez is the obvious answer, they may pick up a college player or other young developmental option.

Wing #

Under contract #

Likely returning #

Likely moving on #

Needs: depth, quality, scoring (especially on the left) #

The Courage have three wingers under contract, can float Sanchez wide if needed, and can bring back Speck as depth. Yet they’re clearly not happy with their existing options; they brought Linnehan in mid-season (almost immediately moving her into the starting lineup), and Speck started the last three games of the season over their more established, big name options.

When Manaka plays as a forward, they need wingers who will provide a threat in-behind; they are likely to target more offensive, direct, driving wingers. Aside from Speck, everyone prefers to operate on the right, so getting a threat willing to play on the left would help.

Free agents #

Trinity Rodman (23), Washington Spirit #

I do not think Rodman will actually consider the Courage in free agency; I’m assuming like everyone else she’s either staying in DC or going to Europe.

But if she’s interested in reuniting Sandman, the Courage have more cap space than DC does, and it would be a no-brainer.

You don’t need a chart for this one

Uchenna Kanu (28), Racing Louisville (intl - Nigeria) #

Uchenna Kanu had a very productive 2024 with Racing, scoring 5 goals in just twelve matches played (10 starts). She provided value dribbling and carrying, and got good shots off the left wing.

Also very active defensively

The key to a high average xG per shot? Don’t take bad ones.

The Nigerian international went down with a knee injury in August of 2024. In 2025 she’s spent the year on and off the injury report with that injury, limited to just seven short substitute appearances.

Kanu’s viability as an option for the Courage depends on her health. If she’s fully recovered, she can both recieve in behind and attack the defense off the dribble on the left side, bringing offense that the Courage desparately need.

Nádia Gomes (29), Chicago Stars #

Given they declined their side of a mutual option, the Courage appear likely to let Tyler Lussi walk.

Would you like a Tyler Lussi-like substance? (Except with sleeves)

Lussi’s 2025 overlaid in green

Nádia Gomes is not entirely a Lussi clone: she is more of a winger/midfielder hybrid, while Lussi is a straight winger and occasional fullback. While she did outperform Lussi in 2025, she does not have a prior record of that production, and she is only one year younger than Lussi.

Gomes is a Portuguese international, but would not take an international slot.

Transfer options #

Montserrat Saldívar (19), Club América (intl - Mexico) #

One goal and three assists in four games at the 2024 U-20 World Cup, as a 17-year-old.

8 goals in five games, the Golden Boot, and the Golden Ball in the 2025 CONCACAF U-20 championship.

27 goals and 8 assists in 43 games for Club América during 2025 in Liga MX Feminil.

1 goal and two assists in 4 games in the Concacaf W Champions Cup.

Saldívar just turned 19. She’s still younger than Aline, younger than Shinomi, younger than Riley Jackson.

Do I have advanced stats for Liga MX Femenil? No. Do I care? NOPE. Cue the mixtape!

The Courage desperately need someone who:

  • will play on the left (she plays on either side for América)
  • will run in behind
  • will score goals

And they have money to cover Saldívar’s no-doubt-large required transfer fee. Let’s have some fun, and sign her before the European scouts that are sneaking around América do.

Holly Ward (22), Vancouver Rise #

In four years at Texas, Holly Ward delivered 17 goals and 15 assists. After finishing the 2024 season, she was a preseason non-roster invitee for Racing Louisville, before signing on with Vancouver Rise of the Northern Super League.

She split time between the left wing in a 4-3-3 and left midfield in a 4-4-2, and was tremendously productive, putting up 8 goals and 5 assists as Vancouver captured the inagural NSL title. She was a workhorse, starting all but one of 28 matches, and was only subbed out three times (once in the 90th minute).

On a total value measure of VAEP (a metric similar to ASA’s G+, but calculated differently), she was the third most productive player in the league.

2025 NSL VAEP leaders:

🥇 Delaney Pridham, 28, 23.3 VAEP, 2261 mins 🥈 Kaylee Hunter, 17, 20.9 VAEP, 1843 mins 🥉 Holly Ward, 22, 14.8 VAEP, 2285 mins 4. Esther Okoronkwo, 28, 13.8 VAEP, 1360 mins 5. Stephanie Bukoveć, 30, 13.5 VAEP, 2191 mins

Data: @chloesainsbury.bsky.social

— Catalina (@catabush.com) November 17, 2025 at 1:42 PM

She also in 2025 has 5 caps, with two starts, and two goals in friendlies for the Canadian national team.

Oh, and she scored the winning goal in the Northern Super League Championship, no biggie.

Ward lived in the US for ten years and has an American parent; unlike other Canadian signings she likely does not require an international slot.

There’s not a good benchmark yet for translating Northern Super League perfomance to NWSL performance. To use a Courage point of comparison, Victoria Pickett had one goal and four assists in 1800+ minutes in midfield for AFC Toronto, compared to one and one in 847 minutes in NC. But Ward’s good performance record relative to the rest of the NSL, while still being young for having a full year of pro experience, would make her a decent bet in the absence of other data.

Emina Ekić (26), Lexington SC #

Emina Ekić was drafted in 2021 by Racing Louisville, and played as a sub in 34 games in her first two years. After stints in Australia for Melbourne City, she returned to the US for the inaugural USL Super League season, where she proceeded to wreck things playing on the left wing.

In the 2024-2025 season, playing for Spokane Zephyr, she tallied 10 goals (somewhat juiced by penalties) and 6 assists in 21 games, on the way to winning Player of the Year as a left-sided attacker.

Assists, progressive passes, good shots, and defense.

She was acquired by Lexington SC for the 2025-26 season for an undisclosed fee that was reported to be a USL Super League record. In the 2025-26 season she has two goals and three assists in 9 games for Lexington SC. At Lexington, she plays more on the right than the left, cutting in and trading some of her more high-value shots for even more passing value.

Even more passing focused

She also provides value on set pieces; three of her nine assists have come off of corners.

She is a hometown Kentuckian. She was born and raised in Louisville, played for the Louisville Cardinals & Racing, and now Lexington SC is doing Ekić shirsey giveaways.

That said, if she’s interested in returning to the top level, she has NWSL experience, has improved with age, and her USL production should likely translate to at least being a rotation piece. While she doesn’t provide the same recieving value as a winger like Kanu, her more creative site can provide offense for the Courage.

Center forward #

Under contract #

Moving on to Chicago #

Likely moving on #

Needs: A number 1, depending on where they play Manaka #

Outside of Manaka, the Courage need production. And shots. And goals. And only have Hanna Betfort and Cortnee Vine under contract, neither beyond 2026.

I do not see any reason they don’t go shopping for a forward. With their lack of goals outside Manaka, they might as well think big.

Free agents #

There are two reasonable free agent targets, with very different profiles.

Ouleymata Sarr (30), Washington Spirit (intl - France) #

Ouleymata Sarr missed all of 2025 rehabbing a back injury. In 2024, she was very productive for the Washington Spirit, with 8 goals and two assists.

Sarr gets her shots from the pass (and the Courage have a lot of passers)

Above average shooting/finishing is nice

She’s unlikely to be re-signed by the Spirit, as Washington has brought in both Gift Monday and Sofia Cantore in the interim. Back injuries are tricky to predict, especially as she enters her age 30 season, and she would need to be cleared by the Courage medical staff.

But if so, Sarr is a forward who gets shots off of creating with other passers, often attacking at speed. She would bring quality to the Courage forward line on a one or two year deal.

Ella Stevens (27), Gotham FC #

Ella Stevens played primarily as a forward in 2024 for Gotham FC, and was very productive, tallying seven goals and four assists.

xSauce not charted

She shifted to more of a left wing/midfield role in 2025, was less productive, and then missed time with a knee injury (albeit not one serious enough to go on the season-ending injury list).

That is significantly more meh. Let shooters shoot!

She has a mutual option with Gotham FC for 2026.

Differently from Sarr, Stevens operates as a box striker who uses clever movement on and off the ball to get free for shots and passes; 25% of her shots in 2024 came off of individual play. Another 25% were off of set piece targets, which is also something the Courage could use. If NC is expecting to be breaking down compact defenses, they could offer Stevens a move back to striker, and a Stevens/Manaka/Sanchez combo would offer a lot of opportunities to embarrass defenders.

Transfer options #

Nicole Anyomi (25), Eintracht Frankfurt (intl - Germany) #

Anyomi is an out-and-out striker. She has over the past three full seasons averaged .50 xG and .19 xAG per 90, while also potting 45 goals+assists across 61 games.

Notably, Anyomi has averaged an excellent xG per shot, while finishing above her xG every single year.

Year xG/shot xG Goals
2022/23 0.15 4.6 8
2023/24 0.18 7.7 11
2024/25 0.26 9.6 14
2025/26 0.13 2.8 5

(For reference, noted Good Shot getter Temwa Chawinga averages 0.17 xG per shot.)

Here’s a few examples of her finishing.

Getting a high quantity of good shots, while finishing more of them than expected? If the Courage are looking to fill what they don’t have, this could be exactly who they need.

Anyomi is out of contract at the end of the 2025-26 season; Frankfurt may be willing to sell if Anyomi does not show interest in extending (and if Anyomi isn’t intentionally running her contract down to sign somewhere specific on a free). Even with her limited contract time driving down the price, acquiring Anyomi, if she is interested, would likely take most if not all of the Courage’s transfer budget.

Kaylee Hunter (17), AFC Toronto (intl - Canada) #

Remember that bit about Holly Ward being the third ranked player in the Northern Super Leage by VAEP?

The second (and first on a per-90 basis) is striker Kaylee Hunter.

After the 17-year-old was eased in as a sub in the first two games of the year, she became a regular starter, starting 21 games overall. In her first professional season, all she did was put up 16 goals and 4 assists in just under 2000 minutes between the regular season and the playoffs. Again, as a 17 year old.

You can see her doing her best Manaka impersonation here.

Or timing a nice run and rounding the keeper.

Or making space against a defender to get off a well placed shot to the far post.

She played as part of a forward pair with Esther Okronkwo in Toronto’s 3-5-2; it’s likely there would be some adjustment to playing in the Courage’s system. The NSL salary cap is about half of the NWSL’s, and the minimum salaries are lower once the exchange rate is taken into account. For a young player who is only going to get better over time, the Courage should be willing to spend some money.

Charlyn Corral (34), Pachuca (intl - Mexico) #

Charlyn Corral is Liga MX Feminil’s leading scorer four tournaments running.

In the 2023-24 Clausura, she potted 19 goals. In the 2024-25 Apetura, 18. In the 2024-25 Clausura, 21, a new record. In the 2025-26 Apetura, 22, breaking her own record. You get the idea.

Normally I wouldn’t suggest the Courage are actively courting a 34-year-old striker. They really shouldn’t. By the end of a 2-year contract, she’d be the same age Alex Morgan is now, and Alex Morgan has been retired for a year and a half.

Except for one small thing.

The Courage are the only NWSL team Corral follows on Instagram. It’s probably nothing… right?

What could it look like? #

Here’s a sample of what their roster could look like with names from these lists.

Bold indicates a new signing, italics indicates a re-signing.

Goalkeepers (3) #

  • Marisa Jordan
  • Laurel Ivory
  • Katie Cappalletti

Defenders (8) #

  • Natalie Jacobs
  • Maycee Bell
  • Brooklyn Courtnall
  • Talia Staude
  • Feli Rauch
  • Ryan Williams
  • Anna Heilferty
  • Sydney Schmidt

Midfielders (7) #

  • Denise O’Sullivan
  • Riley Jackson
  • Shinomi Koyama
  • Bayley Feist
  • Manaka Matsukubo
  • Ashley Sanchez
  • Oli Peña

Wingers & forwards (7) #

  • Uchenna Kanu
  • Payton Linnehan
  • Aline Gomes
  • Meredith Speck
  • Nicole Anyomi
  • Cortnee Vine
  • Hannah Betfort

This team still has some question marks: it’s making a brave bet in goal, and it’s counting on Kanu to be fully recovered from her injury. (And they’ll need to spend some cash to get an extra international slot from someone.)

It’s still a direct improvement in their key problem areas:

  • depth
  • attacking from the wings
  • shots and goals from forwards

Plus, there’s still a roster spot free for a college signing.

The Portland Thorns did an on-the-fly rebuild due to smart signings in 2024 and 2025, getting them into the playoffs despite multiple key absences in 2025. There’s no reason the Courage can’t do the same.