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NWSL North Carolina Courage

Courage Lose Control of Playoff Fate with Loss to Gotham FC

by Fran Stuchbury
October 18, 2021 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
North Carolina Courage


North Carolina Courage vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC
North Carolina Courage vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC
(North Carolina Courage, Credit: Fran Stuchbury)

The North Carolina Courage, battling to make the National Women's Soccer League postseason, lost 3-0 to NJ/NY Gotham FC in the last match of the season in front of a big crowd of 7,064 fans at WakeMed Soccer Park on Sunday afternoon. The game was nationally televised on CBS Sports Network.

"I felt we were okay in the first half; I thought we created some good chances and we settled into the game. Players did what was asked of them in terms of possession," said North Carolina Courage interim head coach Sean Nahas. "Once they scored, you could just see we could never get back in. I always think there are positives, I look at the first half especially and I thought we had four really good chances; I felt we minimized errors and balanced out the game. Scoring goals has been hard to come by at the moment."

He added, "The team never stopped batting and competing and we will take that when we play against Portland."

Margaret "Midge" Purce scored the first two goals of the game for Gotham FC in the 54th and 65th minute, her 5th and 6th goals of the season. Purce played for the Boston Breakers in 2017, Portland Thorns FC in 2018 and 2019; and was traded to Sky Blue FC on January 8, 2020 before the club rebranded as NJ/NY Gotham FC this season. She started playing for the United States National team in 2019.

Carli Lloyd scored to make it 3-0 for Gotham FC in the 67th minute, on a goal from 20 yards out. Lloyd, who is retiring at the end of the season, played for the United States National team since 2005 and has made over 300 appearances for the team. She played in Women's Professional Soccer from 2009 till 2011 and joined the NWSL when it started up in 2013.

Lloyd received a standing ovation by fans when she was subbed in the 89th minute.

The Courage finished with a 6-5-1 record at WakeMed Soccer Park for the season. They are seventh in the NWSL standings with the top six teams making it to the postseason. They will need a victory over Portland and help from other teams to make it to the playoffs.

Merritt Mathias made her 150th NWSL start in today's match, making her the fourth player in league history to achieve such the milestone. Also for the Courage Amy Rodriguez recorded her 100th NWSL appearance during the match.

After an International break, the Courage finish the regular season on the road against Portland Thorns FC on Saturday, October 30th.

Check out the North Carolina Courage Statistics




Images from this story

Fans support the North Carolina Courage
Fans support the North Carolina Courage
(Fran Stuchbury)		 North Carolina Courage pose before their match with NJ/NY Gotham FC
North Carolina Courage pose before their match with NJ/NY Gotham FC
(Fran Stuchbury)		 Carli Lloyd of NJ/NY Gotham FC leaves the pitch
Carli Lloyd of NJ/NY Gotham FC leaves the pitch
(Fran Stuchbury)
Carli Lloyd of NJ/NY Gotham FC leaves the pitch
Carli Lloyd of NJ/NY Gotham FC leaves the pitch
(Fran Stuchbury)		 North Carolina Courage and NJ/NY Gotham FC gather at midfield
North Carolina Courage and NJ/NY Gotham FC gather at midfield
(Fran Stuchbury)		 North Carolina Courage vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC
North Carolina Courage vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC
(Fran Stuchbury)

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from October 18, 2021


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