Goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan joins North Carolina Courage – Equalizer Soccer

Photo Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

The North Carolina Courage and Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan have agreed to terms on a two-year, fully guaranteed contract through the 2027 NWSL season, the team announced Thursday.

“I can’t wait to join the Courage and bring my family to North Carolina. This team’s soccer identity and tactical systems are so exciting and fit the way I like to play as well. I’m really looking forward to joining the team, getting to work on the field, and focusing on a great season this year,” Sheridan said in the release.

The move follows the surprising news in December that Sheridan and the San Diego Wave had mutually agreed to terminate her contract that was set to run through the 2026 NWSL season. The veteran goalkeeper had signed a four-year extension with the southern California club in July 2023. 

Sheridan will likely immediately take over the starting spot in North Carolina that was vacated by Casey Murphy when she signed with the expansion club Boston Legacy.

“We’re delighted to welcome Kailen Sheridan to the club. She is an elite goalkeeper with proven experience at the highest level, and her leadership, distribution and shot-stopping ability immediately raise the standard of our squad. Kailen brings a strong mentality and professionalism that will be invaluable both on and off the pitch, and we’re confident she will play a key role in helping us achieve our objectives moving forward,” said Courage Chief Soccer Officer Ceri Bowley.

The only other goalkeeper under contract with the Courage is Texas Tech alum Madison White, who signed a three-year deal in free agency after being drafted by Racing Louisville in the 2024 NWSL Draft. White has not yet made an NWSL appearance, but played extensively on loan with Dallas Trinity of the Gainbridge USL Super League. Marisa Jordan was under contract but traded to Kansas City. Meanwhile, the Wave still has no goalkeepers signed for the upcoming season.

Sheridan signed with the Wave in 2022. In four seasons, she started all 86 of her regular-season appearances. She helped the Wave lift the NWSL Shield in 2023 and the NWSL Challenge Cup in 2024. Her first season in San Diego also saw her win the NWSL’s Goalkeeper of the Year award and be named to the Best XI first team. Before San Diego, during her time with Sky Blue FC/Gotham FC, she was awarded the NWSL Challenge Cup Golden Glove in 2020, along with an inclusion in the 2021 NWSL Best XI.

Internationally, Sheridan features for the Canadian women’s national team, where she remains the team’s starting goalkeeper. The 30-year-old has made 63 appearances for Canada. She was a member of Canada’s 2021 Olympic gold medal team and was named the 2022 Concacaf W Championship Golden Glove winner, as well as a member of the confederation’s Best XI for the tournament.