The Maryland Charm enter Friday night at 2-1, tied with the California Palms atop the WLL standings with identical records but sitting at zero in goal differential while the Palms hold a plus-8 edge. That number matters because in a four-team league where only two clubs advance to the August 15 championship in Philadelphia, tiebreakers become everything.
While they’re in with a win, if the Charm lose by two goals or more, they’d be eliminated from championship-game contention.
Boston arrives at 0-2 and mathematically desperate. If they lose, their season is finished and if they don’t win by enough, it could be done too, and that makes them dangerous and unlikely to roll over, and Charlotte North gives them a reason to believe in any game they play.
All-Star defense Abby Bosco will likely mark North. Caylee Waters and rookie Jenika Cuocco are sharing goalkeeper duties for the Charm.
On the other end, Ashley Humphrey — the NCAA all-time assists leader — will run the Charm offense against a Boston defense that has surrendered 34 goals in two games.
A Charm win does two things: it guarantees Maryland finishes no worse than second in the standings and punches their ticket to Philadelphia, and it ends the defending champions' season on the spot.
Opening draw is 8:30 PM ET on ESPN+. The Charm need Humphrey creating, Bosco locking down North, and their goalkeepers to be sharp.
Where to Watch
Opening draw: 8:30 PM ET Friday at Fairfield, CT
TV: ESPN+