The North Carolina Courage’s 3-1 win over the Chicago Red Stars had it all: stellar strikes, team goals, silky skills, big defensive moments, and the reining NWSL MVP scoring in the league for the first time since returning from injury.
Kerolin Nicoli, playing in just her second game back from injury, found the back of the net in the 66’ to put the exclamation point on what was already a strong performance and important win. Olivia Wingate got the assist on the goal, getting to the end line and sliding the ball back across to Kerolin.
“We’ve seen Kero work so hard since she had the injury and she’s went through it. She’s put in the work every single day, so to see her come back and score was really special. I’m happy to have her back and We’re really proud of her and are all here to support her,” Denise O’Sullivan said.
Kerolin’s lethal touch in front of goal and ability to take the top off a defense will be crucial for the Courage down the home stretch and the MVP is getting back in the swing of things just in time for playoffs. Kerolin’s first game back at WakeMed Soccer Park will be on October 5 against the San Diego Wave and tickets are available here.
Ashley Sanchez was a catalyst for much of the Courage’s offensive creativity on the night, setting up the own goal with a delicate cross and pulling off a silky back-heel nutmeg during the buildup to O’Sullivan’s wonderful strike.
While she didn’t get on the scoresheet Sunday, Sanchez’s footprint was all over the result and her ability in the final third has been on full display in recent weeks. Sanchez scored against Bay FC, becoming the first player to score against all 14 active NWSL clubs, and she picked up a silky assist to Brianna Pinto in Louisville.
With nine goal contributions on the season, a career-best for the Courage talisman, Sanchez has been earning some well-deserved praise from some greats of the game.
O’Sullivan’s goal was a prime example of how the Courage machine can operate when all cylinders are firing in unison. Ryan Williams won the ball at midfield and found Aline Gomes. Gomes did well to hold the ball up and lay it off to Sanchez, who danced around in the corner and set up Tyler Lussi for the layoff. Lussi played the smart ball and set up O’Sullivan for the strike.
It is easy to take the Courage’s buildup to O’Sullivan’s goal as quick-hit transitional play, but it is far better explained as the team flipping the switch and taking advantage of how their play forces teams to operate. Williams snuffed out a chance at one end and passing patterns went to work in the final third.
Not to be lost in the scoring fun were the key defensive plays from the Courage stalwarts. Chicago’s offense is far from easy to play against. As Head Coach Sean Nahas put it, “Mal’s world class, Ludmila’s world class, Joseph has grown a lot in the last little bit, Grasso is a really good player.”
Most notably was Kurtz’s double block in the 35’. It’s a bang-bang play against one of the top forwards in the league and Kurtz does incredibly well to make herself big without presenting an opportunity for a penalty-awarding handball.
A goal for Chicago in that moment makes it 1-1 with 10 minutes to play in the half and easily changes the flow of the game before the Courage get O’Sullivan’s game-winner.
The Courage are back at home on Saturday, taking on the San Diego Wave at 7 p.m. ET. The Courage crashed the retirement party in the first meeting between the two and Saturday is shaping up to be more must-watch TV as the playoff race continues to heat up. Tickets are available here.
