Source: Chicago Red Stars

HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD

A big part of Chicago's Championship and Shield drought, despite their relative consistency over the NWSL era, has been their losing record to North Carolina.

This is the third time these two clubs have met in the playoffs and the Courage are yet to concede a goal in winning both games, which gives the Courage - already boasting the far superior Championship experience - an extra mental edge heading into this one.

It's not all bad news though. Chicago actually have a winning record in the NWSL regular-season, with five wins and three draws in the teams' nine matches played.

So while Carolina have the big-game gusto, Chicago clearly have the everday Courage sussed.

CHICAGO RED STARS

Coach

Long serving US coach Rory Dames has been with the Red Stars since 2011! In that time he's secured a 60% winning percentage and developed some of the league's best talent, but never made it past a Playoff semi-final.

He's never had a player like Kerr up front though.

Key Player

We're going to step off the Kerr bandwagon for one second here and talk Yuki Nagasato.

She's the playmaker who's been key to Kerr's goalscoring prolifacy this season and it was her phenomenal curling through ball that allowed Kerr to break Portland hearts early in their semi-final.

She possesses that range that could be Chicago's secret weapon and if Chicago are going to cause an upset this time, her big-game experience (World Cup winner) is going to be absolutely crucial.