{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/65eb196f82e6910016356fa6/6ac6dfe78f34078889885184?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"A Year Ahead","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/65eb196f82e6910016356fa6/1791418338939-7e8a9acd-116f-4cde-b3dc-c0cc54f424a8.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>The NC Courage grind out a 1-0 win at Seattle Reign before the international break, snapping a three-game streak of one-goal losses. The Courage now sit above the playoff line in 8th. Trevor and Katie break down the full-team goal, the control the Courage showed, and the midfield gaps that still need cleaning up. Then they look ahead to a must-win rematch with San Diego Wave. Heads up: there is no episode next week; we&#39;ll be back after the San Diego match.</p><p><br></p><h2>In This Episode</h2><h3>What We Learned This Week: NC Courage vs. Seattle Reign</h3><p>Gritty, controlled road wins are exactly what the Courage need in their arsenal. We break down the sequence from Ryan Williams and Erica Meg Parkinson&#39;s quick thinking on a throw-in to Gianna Paul&#39;s deflected finish. Plus, Ashley Sanchez&#39;s more central role and a defense that stepped forward instead of backward, and the midfield gaps Seattle still managed to expose.</p><p><br></p><h3>Standout Stats</h3><p>Seattle outshot the Courage 17 to 10 and put 5 shots on target to the Courage&#39;s 2, so how did we walk away with 3 points? We dig into what the numbers say, including the defensive actions from Ryan Williams, Uno Shiragaki, Feli Rauch, and Natalie Jacobs.</p><p><br></p><h3>Looking Ahead: San Diego Wave</h3><p>The Courage host San Diego just weeks after a 2-1 loss out west. We break down why Riley Jackson&#39;s return matters, why we need to watch Trinity Byars and Melanie Barcenas, and how to make the San Diego goalkeeper work.</p><p><br></p><h3>Courage News</h3><p>Riley Jackson is called up to the USWNT U-23s. Erica Meg Parkinson is on yellow card watch. And come out to the Uproar tailgate on October 17 for a chili cook-off.</p><p><br></p><h3>Around the League</h3><p>A quick playoff picture update: Gotham and San Diego clinched, Washington is on the verge, and a tight race for the remaining spots.</p><p><br></p><h2>About The Lion’s Pitch Podcast</h2><p>Welcome to The Lion’s Pitch, your go-to podcast for everything North Carolina Courage. Every week, Trevor and Katie break down the latest matches, preview upcoming opponents, discuss NC Courage news, and take a look around the NWSL. Plus, we’ll bring you bonus episodes with interviews, behind-the-scenes content, and some fun surprises along the way.</p><p><br></p><p>New episode drops every Thursday.</p><p><br></p><h2>Subscribe &amp; Follow</h2><p>Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and find us online at <a href=\"https://www.lionspitch.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">lionspitch.com</a>, follow us on Bluesky <a href=\"https://bsky.app/profile/lionspitch.bsky.social\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">@lionspitch.bsky.social</a>, or on Instagram <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/thelionspitch\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">@thelionspitch</a></p><ul><li>Hosted by <a href=\"https://bsky.app/profile/featuringtrevor.bsky.social\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Trevor Knoblich</a> and <a href=\"https://bsky.app/profile/kt1986.bsky.social\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Katie Cleary</a></li><li>Produced by <a href=\"https://bsky.app/profile/marypruter.bsky.social\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Mary Pruter</a></li><li>Edited by <a href=\"https://bsky.app/profile/likethe309.bsky.social\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Danielle Russell</a></li></ul>","author_name":"Trevor Knoblich and Katie Cleary"}