The 2021 NWSL season marked the long-awaited return to regular season games following a disrupted 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But this year was a monumental season in other ways, too — including a slew of career milestones, international appearances for members of the Courage roster, and well-deserved postseason recognition for Courage newcomer Carson Pickett.
SEASON SUCCESSES
Early in the season, four players represented the Courage and their respective countries at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, including Lynn Williams and Sam Mewis of the United States, Debinha of Brazil, and Abby Erceg of New Zealand. The United States earned the Bronze medal during the Games, defeating Australia 4-3 in the bronze medal match to secure a spot on the podium. Williams and Mewis added a goal and an assist apiece in a match against the Netherlands en route to their first Olympic medal. Likewise a difference maker for her country, Debinha added two goals for Brazil, one in a match against China and another in a match against the Netherlands.
Additionally, several players reached career milestones throughout the year. Courage captain Abby Erceg became the first New Zealander and 14th NWSL field player in league history to pass 10,000 regular-season minutes of playing time in late June. Denise O’Sullivan and Amy Rodriguez each celebrated their 100th career NWSL appearances, while Merritt Mathias earned her 150th career NWSL appearance. Mathias also collected her 150th career NWSL start later in the season, becoming the fourth player in league history to achieve such a milestone. Jessica McDonald recorded her 50th career NWSL goal, and Lynn Williams set two NWSL records, becoming the league’s all-time leader in both assists and shots taken. In the last match of the season, goalkeeper Casey Murphy tied the league record for most clean sheets in a single season (11) and later broke her own record for most saves in a playoff match.
PUSH TO THE POSTSEASON
In late October, as their final regular season match against Portland loomed ahead, the Courage’s task was clear: a win or draw against the Thorns would be enough to keep their playoff hopes alive if the Houston Dash lost to the Washington Spirit the following day. Sure enough, the North Carolina side held their league rival to a 0-0 draw, and a subsequent Washington Spirit win was enough to send the Courage into the playoffs as a sixth seed.
On November 7, the Courage faced the Washington Spirit on the road in the first round of the NWSL playoffs, a match that required extra time to decide its winner. Firing on all cylinders, whether by way of goalkeeping, defensive play, or on the attack, the Courage pieced together what was arguably one of their best performances of the year. Despite their impressive showing, a game-winner from Washington’s Ashley Hatch sealed the Courage’s fate in the 113th minute as the North Carolina side fell, 1-0, ending their season.
“The team I saw at the end of that match is the team that I know,” said Interim Head Coach Sean Nahas following the quarterfinal game. “I’m in awe of these players. I’ll repeat it until I’m blue in the face. I am in awe of this group. One thing I do know is that the Courage will be back, and they’ll get back to work on a clean slate.”
LOOKING AHEAD
At the conclusion of their playoff campaign, several Courage players were called back to their respective national teams to represent their country during the offseason. Among these players were Debinha, who will represent Brazil in the International Friendly Tournament; Denise O’Sullivan and Diane Caldwell, who will represent Ireland in a series of World Cup qualifying matches; Angharad James, who will aid Wales in vying for a World Cup berth; and Lynn Williams and Casey Murphy, who have joined the United States in Australia for camp and a series of friendlies.
To cap off an eventful season for the Courage, Carson Pickett was selected for a postseason award and was named to the 2021 Best XI First Team in her first year with the North Carolina side. The Best XI includes a first and second team and recognizes the top 22 players in the league, and is voted on by players (50%), owners, general managers, and coaches (20%), media members (20%) and fans (10%).
Though the Courage season ended sooner than they’d hoped, there were plenty of highlights to be proud of. With the offseason to recharge and the 2021 NWSL Expansion and College Drafts on the horizon next month, the Courage will look to return next season with a refreshed energy to kick off 2022.