North Carolina Courage: Strange start to title defense
By Drew Hubbard
This weekend, after a dominant 2018 season, defending champions North Carolina Courage began their title defense against the Chicago Red Stars. And it was a strange opening encounter.
The reigning Nation Women’s Soccer League champions, the North Carolina Courage, began the 2019 campaign after having one of the best seasons in league history with a 1-1 home draw against a team they met in last year’s playoffs, the Chicago Red Stars.
The Courage headed into the game with a full squad available. With the majority of them having played together last season when they took home the NWSL Shield, the Women’s International Champions Cup, and finishing it off with the 2018 championship.
Starting the title-defense season was the record-breaking backline of Abby Dahlkemper, Jaelene Hinkle, Abby Erceg, and Merrit Mathias. The defense backed up the dynamic duo of Lynn Williams and Jess McDonald who headed up the attack as two of the best teams in the league met up in Week 1.
The match began with the defending champions on the front foot early, generating chances early and often. It seemed like only a matter of time before the flood gates opened and the Courage reminded us of their dominance.
But once again, the game reminded us, it only takes one.
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After a Carolina turnover, Japanese international Yūki Nagasaton played a perfect ball to Sam Kerr who side-stepped the keeper and gave Chicago the lead after the team’s first shot in the 26th minute. Kerr, as is well known, does not need more than one invitation to score.
After falling down 1-0 at home, the Courage again took a hold on the game and forced Red Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher into making acrobatic saves to keep the upset hopes alive. But the Paul Riley’s team eventually broke through, and it was American Crystal Dunn who found the net in the 66th minute to level the score at 1-1.
The remainder of the match remained relatively back and forth, giving both teams the opportunity to grab all three points to start the season. But the best chance fell to the visitors when Stephanie Labbe beat the Carolina goalkeeper but hit the post, with the ball cleared off the line to ensure the points were split at WakeMed Soccer Park.
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The North Carolina Courage will be forced to make a quick turn around as they continue their homestand when they host the Orlando Pride on July, 17.