Credit Rene Vidal
By Marilia Macedo
Marozsán and Bouhaddi made their debut during a tough match against NCC.
After the international break, NWSL came back with an even match at WakeMed Soccer Park between North Carolina Courage and OL Reign.
The visitors started keeping the ball and creating opportunities with Angelina, Huerta, and Balcer, but it was difficult to break the defensive lines. On the other hand, North Carolina attacked with Pickett, Williams, and Debinha. The French keeper Sarah Bouhaddi fought to keep the ball away in her first game wearing the OL Reign jersey. However, in the last minute of the first half, Jessica McDonald scored on a beautiful header, assisted by Merritt Mathias, 1-0.
In the second half, both teams created chances. Even keeping the ball, Farid Benstiti’s squad had difficulty finding a better way to the goal.
In the 75th minute, Lynn Williams broke into the area and passed the ball to Sam Mewis, who scored for her first time as a Courage player, the goal that secured the three points for the home team, 2-0.
Benstiti made some changes, and Jess Fishlock came off the bench to score, with five minutes left, a masterpiece goal when she perfectly lobbed the keeper, 2-1.
The German midfielder Dzsenifer Marozsán attempted to find the equalizer, but Murphy was there to deny it, and the final whistle confirmed Reign’s defeat.
OL Reign will face Chicago Red Stars on June 22 at 7:30 pm ET, and North Carolina Courage will travel to play against Racing Louisville on June 23 at 10 pm ET.