Courage snap winless streak with victory over Angel City

Field Level Media|published: 09/13/2025, 4:27pm EDT

Sep 13, 2025; Cary, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Courage midfielder Manaka Matsukubo (34) celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the first half against Angel City FC at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

Manaka Matsukubo and Brianna Pinto scored in the first 20 minutes and the North Carolina Courage registered their first victory in seven matches, topping Angel City FC 2-1 on Saturday at Cary, N.C.

The Courage (6-7-7, 25 points) have defeated Angel City twice this year by 2-1 scores.

Sveindis Jonsdottir scored in the 88th minute for Angel City (6-9-5, 23 points). It was her first goal in seven matches this year.

Marisa Bova made two saves for North Carolina. Angelina Anderson stopped five shots for Angel City, which has gone back-to-back matches without a point following a four-match points streak.

Matsukubo's sixth goal came in the sixth minute off an assist from Payton Linnehan, giving her two goals in a four-match stretch. Matsukubo's shot from the right side went into the left-side of the net.

Pinto posted her third goal of the year, a sequence aided when the ball bounced off an Angel City player before Pinto booted it into the net.

--Field Level Media