Courage Concedes a Fateful Goal in Overtime and Sends Washington Spirit to the Semi-Finals
Pugh and Defense Send Chicago to the Semifinals | Chicago 1-0 Gotham FC
Coming into the game at Seat Geek Stadium, the Chicago Red Stars had a 0-2-1 record against Gotham FC. However, one could argue that Chicago came into the first round of the players in better form than Gotham, with a record of 3-0-1 in the month of October as opposed to Gotham’s 2-4-0.
Gotham FC 1 – Racing Louisville 1 | Carli Loyd’s farewell match
On the final day of the NWSL regular season, Gotham FC played their final home game against Racing Louisville. After obtaining a playoff spot in the previous match, it gave the fixture a less competitive tone. It also gave Carli Lloyd a well-deserved spotlight, as it also marked her farewell match at club level. The day seemed fit, with good weather, media coverage, and tributes left and right from fans across the stadium. A goal from the legend herself was the final touch to seal such a memorable occasion.
Racing Ends Their Debut Season With a 1-1 Draw Against Gotham FC
By Christine Espinoza
Interim coach Mario Sanchez summed up Racing’s draw against Gotham best. “It’s a great way to end the season. We got better every game, and I think we were starting to see what the team’s capable of. I’m really, really proud of the team. They have continuously showed their character.”
One would have to agree with Sanchez after Gotham, though having better possession of the ball simply could not overtake Racing’s resilient defense in the first half. Defensively, Ebony Salmon would make the most compelling attempts to score only to come up short.
Unfortunately, in the second half, Carli Lloyd would do what she does best and find the back of the net after a cross from Elizabeth Eddy at the 53rd minute. Fortunately for Racing, Gotham’s handball in the box would earn them a penalty shot. Cece Kizer easily put the strike past Kailen Sheridan’s net, cutting Gotham’s celebration short. After the game Kizer remarked “I like taking penalties…The Girls on the field were confident in me. They said to go up and take my shot, and I buried it.”
On them missing the post season, Gemma Bonner added “I think there’s lots of positives to take from the latter part of the season. We’ll look to come back stronger next year.”
Scoreless Draw Against Portland Kept Their Play-Off Hopes Alive, But Washington Spirit Win Puts the Courage in the Play-Offs
One day. One day after their nail-biting draw against Portland Thorns was what the Courage had to wait for to know their fate. While their draw after their game had kept them in contention, Houston Dash could have easily dashed their hopes. However, their resilience, patience, and some help from Washington Spirit now has the Courage in the play-offs.
Courage players have often called Portland their “rivals” and they definitely proved themselves to be in a game that had everyone at the edge of their seat. An early goal from Kaleigh Kurtz would, unfortunately, be called offside. Amy Rodriguez attempted a very close shot as well. Courage would just not be able to finalize.
In the second half, Debinha and Jessica McDonald put an intense amount of pressure on the Thorns, including a heart stopping and devastating cross bar by McDonald near the end of the game. On the defensive side, the Thorns had to contend with goalkeeper Casey Murphy, who is tied in the league’s record for most clean sheets in a single season with 11 clean sheets. Thorns players made many shots only to either find Murphy’s very capable gloves or miss the box. With this not only did the Thorns get this first-ever goalless draw, but the Courage now had to wait for the Washington Spirit vs Houston Dash game to know their fate.
After the game, interim coach Sean Nahas stated that the players “Have done everything that I have asked of them, and I’ve told them how proud I am of them. I have a feeling we’ll have another week together.”
Denise O’Sullivan echoed wanting more opportunities by joking “I will be Washington’s biggest fan” against Houston Dash.
Nahas, O’Sullivan, and the rest of the Courage got what they asked for in yesterday’s Washington vs Houston game, where Washington defeated the Dash and earned Courage a spot in the playoffs.
Coincidentally, Courage will now face off against Washington in the quarterfinals on Sunday, November 7th.