by Katie Cleary
On Sunday, the Courage defeated the Chicago Red Stars in dominant fashion 4-0. Most importantly the Courage got a much needed win, their third of the season and also kept a clean sheet for the second time this year. This looked like the most complete game the Courage have played this year.
Pinto, O'Sullivan, Debinha, and Fuka seemed to control the midfield from the start, continually linking up with Kerolin and Ordonez, and taking pressure off our backline. The Courage backline only allowed 3 shots on target, which is a vast improvement from the two previous games with 8 and 11 shots on target allowed.
This game saw quite a few firsts, starting with Fuka getting her first NWSL start, as well as, her first NWSL goal and assist. She scored in the 64th minute, tapping the ball in after a bit of a scramble in front of goal.
It's a first #NWSL goal for @GjamdjPi and the second on the night for @TheNCCourage ! ✌️ #NCvCHI | #CourageUnitesUS pic.twitter.com/dSjKdOtMbx
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 21, 2022
Rylee Baisden also got her first NWSL goal in the 88th minute slotting the ball in the corner past a diving Naeher, with a great assist from Kerolin. Kerolin spent most of the game driving right into Chicago's backline and she was able to draw a defender which left Rylee wide open in the box.
. @RyleeBaisden puts @TheNCCourage up FOUR as time winds down in regulation ⌛️ #NCvCHI | #CourageUnitesUs pic.twitter.com/4ePlD3ReW9
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 21, 2022
Diana Ordóñez got her third brace of the season and 10th goal, scoring in the 10th and 74th minutes. Her goal in the 10th minute came from a corner, in which she headed it into the corner just past Naeher and was assisted by Carson Pickett. The goal in the 74th minute was assisted by Fuka (her first of the season). This is Diana's 5th straight game in which she has scored in, and firmly puts her in the golden boot race with plenty of games left to overtake those ahead of her.
Make that 🖐 straight games with a goal for the rookie @diana0rdonez ! 👏 #NCvCHI | @TheNCCourage pic.twitter.com/u2mg9qYbL6
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 20, 2022
Make it 🔟 on the year for @diana0rdonez as her stellar rookie season continues and @TheNCCourage put the game out of reach! 💫 #NCvCHI | #CourageUnitesUs pic.twitter.com/3J8xRaZO2H
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 21, 2022
The Courage play again on Wednesday, August 24 at 7 PM and look to continue the momentum from this game when they take on the Portland Thorns. Soon after the half-time break, the Courage doubled their lead in the 49th minute thanks to Ratcliffe’s first goal of the season. Merritt Mathias played a perfectly weighted cross into Ratcliffe, who beat a diving Emily Boyd with a one-touch finish.
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