North Carolina Courage Vs Reign FC: Containing Megan Rapinoe
By Drew Hubbard
The North Carolina Courage embark on their NWSL title defense when they host Reign FC this weekend. If they want to ensure victory, they must find a way to contain Megan Rapinoe.
The defending champions North Carolina Courage begin their NWSL title defense when they host Reign FC on Sunday afternoon.
North Carolina enter the match as clear favorites, having the number one overall seed and playing on home turf. Reign FC, meanwhile, are yet to defeat the Courage at WakeMed Soccer Park in five attempts, only strengthening the home side’s chances — North Carolina are looking to extend an impressive run of form at home, winning their final seven matches at WakeMed Soccer Park where they have yet to lose all season.
Vlatko Andonovski’s team did defeat North Carolina once this season for their first and only win against the Courage. It was a 2-1 victory at Cheney Stadium in late May with Shea Groom and Bethany Balcer netting the crucial goals.
However, this victory came without both team’s USWNT players and other internationals that were preparing for this summer’s World Cup. And for the Courage, that is a major change in personnel. Crystal Dunn, Abby Dahlkemper, Jessica McDonald and Samantha Mewis were all named to the USWNT squad, while Debinha (Brazil) and Stephanie Labbé (Canada) also missed the defeat. That is over half of the North Carolina Courage’s starting XI.
Nevertheless, the two clubs survived the World Cup absentees and qualified for the postseason, leading to this weekend’s contest. The Courage, due to being the superior regular-season team and being at home, are the unquestioned favorites. But that does not mean they should take this game lightly. Reign FC are dangerous, especially as they now welcome 2019 FIFA Women’s Player of the Year, Megan Rapinoe, back into the fold.
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Rapinoe has yet to score a goal or earn an assist this season, so this may seem like a slightly odd individual to highlight. But that is largely due to injury and World Cup duties. Her talent is undeniable and she has the ability to singlehandedly win this match. North Carolina Courage head coach Paul Riley must be acutely aware of Rapinoe’s threat, specifically on the right side where the flame-haired USWNT star will match up against another World Cup champion, Heather O’Reilly.
O’Reilly began consistently starting for the Courage after Merritt Matthias picked up a season-ending ACL tear against the Houston Dash in September. O’Reilly started the final four games of her final NWSL regular season and performed admirably, but she will have her hands full against Rapino.
The Courage’s ability to contain the front three of Rapinoe, Jodie Taylor and Darian Jenkins will be key. If they can do that, North Carolina will be able to implement their high-pressing attack that has led them to scoring a record-breaking 54 goals this season. But if the space in defensive areas is too much to contain, Rapinoe and co. could have a field day, especially on the counter-attack.
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This, then, is an intriguing match-up between a dominant favorite and dangerous underdog. And Reign FC have embraced that underdog identity throughout the regular season. Could it now fuel the fire of an upset en route to an NWSL championship? And if it does, you can bet your bottom dollar that Megan Rapinoe is at the heart of it.