Courage Score 3-2 Challenge Cup Win as Soccer Returns
by Fran Stuchbury
April 11, 2021 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
North Carolina Courage
North Carolina Courage vs. the Washington Spirit
(North Carolina Courage, Credit: Fran Stuchbury)
In-person sports finally made a return in Cary, North Carolina on Saturday when the North Carolina Courage defeated the Washington Spirit 3-2 in the National Women's Soccer League Challenge Cup. This was the first game the Courage were allowed to have fans played at home due to COVID-19 since the NWSL Championship on October 27, 2019. It was the first sports event I covered since I traveled to Dallas to cover the XFL Dallas Renegades game back in March 2020, a week before the sports world shut down due to COVID-19.
Courage head coach Paul Riley was happy with the team's performance, saying, "I thought it was a good first half. We missed some big chances. Wasn't a great performance. I am more about the performance than the result. We will get better. We needed that 90 minutes."
The Spirit scored first in the 5th minute on a goal by Kumi Yokoyama. Yokoyama, 27, signed with the Spirit in December of 2019 and plays for the Japan National team.
The Courage tied the game 1-1 when Kristen Hamilton found the net in the 10th minute. Hamilton, 28, started her NWSL career in 2014.
The Courage then took the lead in the 28th minute with a goal from Jessica McDonald.
McDonald on finally playing at home said, "It was simply amazing, we were itching to get a game in playing in front of our fans. Getting the win was the cherry on it."
McDonald, 33, is also a member of the United States women's national team.
In the second half the Courage took a 3-1 lead with a goal in the 51st minute by Merritt Mathias in her first game since 2019 after returning from an ACL injury. "The first game getting back is never easy," said Mathias, "it was a long road to recovery, but I focused on getting healthy and strong."
Mathias, 30, has been a member of the North Carolina Courage since the 2018 season.
The Spirit made it a 3-2 game with a score in the 60th minute by Trinity Rodman playing her first professional game. The youngest player drafted in the NWSL Draft at the age of 18, taken second overall, she became the youngest player to ever score in a NWSL game. Rodman entered the contest in the second half in the 55th minute.
Trinity Rodman is the daughter of former NBA player Dennis Rodman.
Sahlen ¬â¢s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park holds 10,000 fans. North Carolina outdoor sports events are now allowed to be open at 50 percent capacity. The Courage opted to open at 23 percent allowing 2,300 fans to give fans a safer experience.
One passionate Courage fan was holding a sign stating, "I've waited over a year for theses nachos."
The next Courage game will be April 20th on the road against NJ/NY Gotham FC, the recently re-branded Sky Blue FC. Their next home matchup in the Challenge Cup will be against the Orlando Pride on Saturday, May 1st.
Images from this story
 North Carolina Courage and the Washington Spirit line up before their Challenge Cup game (Fran Stuchbury) |
 A North Carolina Courage fan exults in the team's return (Fran Stuchbury) |
 North Carolina Courage vs. the Washington Spirit (Fran Stuchbury) |
National Women's Soccer League Stories from April 11, 2021
- Courage Score 3-2 Challenge Cup Win as Soccer Returns - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
- Courage Score 3-2 Challenge Cup Win as Soccer Returns - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
- Courage Score 3-2 Challenge Cup Win as Soccer Returns - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
