North Carolina Courage: Attack remains the focal point

After the weekend’s win over the Houston Dash, the North Carolina Courage have now scored nine goals in their last two games. The attack remains the focal point for Paul Riley’s team, and that should spell trouble for everyone else in the NWSL.

If it’s not broke, don’t fix it. The message of North Carolina Courage manager Paul Riley when he put the same starting XI on the field to take down the Houston Dash 4-1 in the Courage’s first road match of the 2019 season.

Both teams headed into the match with one win and one draw to start the season. The defending champions brought pressure early, but Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell was up to the challenge to try and keep the potent Courage attack at ease. However, it seemed like North Carolina finally found their breakthrough when Jessica McDonald earned a penalty kick for Carolina.

The penalty was the third Houston had given up in as many games, and the previous two both not converted thanks to Campbell. And the third was no different as the American keeper saved Lynn Williams attempt in the 31st minute.

But the Houston defense could only hold on for so long. Lynn Williams would bounce back from her failed penalty and open the scoring at the end of the first half.

From then on, the North Carolina Courage remained in control and took a two-goal lead 15 minutes later when Crystal Dunn scored her fourth of the year. Only nine minutes later, Paul Riley’s team added another when Debinha made her 2019 debut count by firing a cross by Jaelene Hinkle into the net to make it 3-0. Debinha’s goal marked the Courage’s 100th goal in only 51 games, a sensational record.

But North Carolina kept their foot on the gas, just as they did in last week’s dominant victory over Orlando. Eight minutes later Leah Pruitt earned her first goal in NWSL when she headed home a Lynn Williams cross to open the rookie’s scoring campaign.

The Houston Dash would find a consolation goal late on thanks to a nice strike from Rachel Daly, but this game was all about the attacking threat that the Courage pose. Moreover, not only is Riley blessed with a bevvy of stars, but they are relentless in their pursuit of control, not letting up for one moment. They have now scored nine goals in their last two games.

With the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup drawing closer, clubs are having to adjust to the loss of several key players. The Courage are no different. New players will have to step up if they want to continue their dominance in the NWSL.

But with rookies like Leah Pruitt staying in America this summer, the champions may just have the depth to endure this summer’s World Cup and remain on the top of the table. With the attack the focal point of the team, North Carolina could be about to go as far as they did last time out: absolute domination.