Cary, NC—A long 2019 National Women’s Soccer League season finished the way it began: with the North Carolina Courage on top.

The Courage shut down NWSL MVP Sam Kerr thanks to plays like this one from Lynn Williams tracking back on defense.

The teams that finished #1 and #2 in the NWSL faced off on a steamy afternoon at Sahlen’s Stadium in Cary, North Carolina.

The Chicago Red Stars, in their first NWSL Championship game, held the season advantage over the North Carolina Courage with two wins and a draw. The last time North Carolina beat Chicago was in their semifinal match last September. Of course, when you get to a championship game, that slate gets wiped clean and the teams lined up ready for a winner take all afternoon.

Both sides came out of the intent on putting intense pressure on each other and, if not for a sharp, heads-up save from goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé, Chicago would have grabbed the lead just moments into the game. Instead, it was North Carolina breaking through before the game was even four minutes gold.

Sam Mewis and Julie Ertz battle in the air for the ball.

The scoring play started with Lynn Williams collecting the ball at midfield and running right through the Red Stars’ half of the field before spotting Jessica McDonald on the right flank and dishing the ball to her. McDonald took note of Debinha about to sneak around her defender on the far post and lofted the ball across the box. Debinha tried to redirect the ball into the net but her attempt was blocked by the defense. With goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher getting tangled up with one of her defenders, the ball rolled right back to Debinha and this time the Brazilian smacked the ball into the back of the net and just like that Courage had the lead at home.

After their semifinal match when they took the lead, only to concede the equalizer a few minutes later, the Courage kept the pressure on Chicago, frustrating their attempts to get the ball beyond the center line.

The Courage were on the board less than four minutes into the championship game.

In the 26^th minute, Williams and McDonald would team up for the second goal of the game. This time it was Williams with the ball down the right flank cutting inside and looking far post for McDonald. Williams put her cross right into McDonald’s path and she was able to out jump the defense and nod the ball past Naeher to double the lead.

The Courage continued their pressure on Chicago throughout the half. The few times the Red Stars were able to penetrate through North Carolina’s final third, the defense was able to disrupt any scoring attempt. Goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé rarely needed to get involved in the play, but when she was called on, she was solid in net for the Courage.

North Carolina’s team effort effectively shut down the NWSL MVP, Sam Kerr. Whenever she got the ball, Abby Erceg and Abby Dahlkemper were quick to close her down. Even Williams took her turn on defense, tracking all the way back deep in Courage territory to tackle Kerr. Though she did break loose for a couple of close-range shots, she put them just wide of the net.

Sam Kerr’s frustration boiled over in the first half, leading to an outburst directed at her teammate.

Paul Riley called out his team defense in his post-game press conference. “I think that says a lot about our team and what we’re all about, that we would all pitch in today to stop Sam Kerr receiving balls and to stop her from causing us trouble.”

Kerr and midfielder Savannah McCaskill struggled to stay in sync throughout the first half. Late in the first half, Kerr’s frustration reached a boiling point and she erupted at her teammate in a scene that did not bode well for the Red Stars.

Between a mid-half water break and Chicago defender Casey Short going down late in the half with what was later reported as asthma symptoms, officials called for a minimum of four minutes of stoppage time. That was more than enough time for the Red Stars to organize an attack to try to steal a goal back.

However, it would be Crystal Dunn who would put this game out of reach. Five minutes into stoppage, Dunn took on several Chicago defenders and still managed to pop out of the pack and hammer the ball past Naeher.

Jessica McDonald fired up the supporters after coming out of the game in the second half.

Down 0-3 at halftime in North Carolina’s infamous heat and humidity and facing possibly the fittest soccer club in the world on their home turf is, well, a lot. Red Stars head coach Rory Dames swapped Katlyn Johnson in for McCaskill at halftime, hoping his team could shake loose some scoring opportunities. The fresh legs seemed to give Chicago a head of steam at the start of the second half and Johnson and Kerr seemed to have a good understanding of how to find each other.

But against the Courage, you’ve got to make hay while the sun shines and the Red Stars just couldn’t get it done. Yuki Nagasato, who had come on strong late in the season, helping to power her club to the championship game, was shut down by Heather O’Reilly, stepping in at right back for the injured Merritt Mathias. Playing in the final game of her legendary career, O’Reilly held Nagasato to just one shot.

North Carolina would lock the game down in the 61^st minute starting with a corner kick from O’Reilly that Chicago cleared back toward midfield. Dahlkemper got the ball and floated an absolutely stunning ball into the box for Sam Mewis who headed the ball home to put this game on ice.

Now, it was a matter of keeping a clean sheet to close out North Carolina’s 2019 season. Chicago opened up their attack and found some late success in getting through the Courage midfield. With only two minutes left in the game, it looked like Short might get one back for the visitors, but her attempt hit the post.

Heather O’Reilly finished her storied career with another NWSL Championship.

In an emotional moment late in the game, Cari Roccaro came into the game for O’Reilly, who received a long ovation from the 10,227 in attendance. After a minute of stoppage time, referee Rosendo Mendoza blew the whistle to end the game and start the party in Cary.

Riley offered his critique on his club’s performance. “It was a pretty good game. It wasn’t our best game but it was certainly a pretty good game and we deserved the result.”

With the 4-0 win, the North Carolina Courage are repeat NWSL Champions. And, after a standout season where she proved to be one of the most creative midfielders in women’s soccer, Debinha was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. “Debinha was the MVP, no question,” said Paul Riley about her performance. “She showed today on the big stage what she’s like.”

“It’s a great feeling,” Riley said in his post-game statement. “There’s nothing like winning the championship.”

Final Notes

It was a day of more records for the Courage. They are the first club to repeat as league champions, the first team to be crowned champions on their home field, the first team to score three goals in one half and the largest margin of victory in an NWSL championship game.
The sellout crowd of 10,227 fans was the largest home crowd in the history of the North Carolina Football Club (inclusive of the Courage).
With the helper on Sam Mewis’ 61^st minute goal, Abby Dahlkemper earned her first assist of the year.
Courage head coach Paul Riley said in his post-game press conference that he and his technical staff have already started planning for the 2020 season.

Debinha took ownership of the championship game and afterward took ownership of the MVP award.

Lineups

North Carolina Courage: S. Labbé; J. Hinkle, A. Erceg ©, A. Dahlkemper, H. O’Reilly (C. Rocarro, 89’); D. O’Sullivan, S. Mewis’ Debinha, C. Dunn (M. Zerboni 62’); L. Williams, J. McDonald (K. Hamilton 75’)

Chicago Red Stars: A. Naeher; C. Short, J. Ertz ©, K. Naughton, S. Gorden; D. Colaprico (B. Elby 84’), M. Brian, V. DiBernardo (N. Stanton 75’); S. McCaskill (K. Johnson 46’), Y. Nagasato, S. Kerr

Score:
North Carolina Courage: 4
Chicago Red Stars: 0

Goals:
North Carolina Courage: Debinha (4’ unassisted); J. McDonald (26’ L. Williams); C. Dunn (45+5’ unassisted); S. Mewis (61’ A. Dahlkemper)
Chicago Red Stars: none

Discipline
North Carolina Courage: M. Zerboni, YC 74’
Chicago Red Stars: V. DeBernardo, YC 47’; J. Ertz, YC 67’

Attendance: 10,227

Photo gallery: North Carolina Courage v Chicago Red Stars 2019 NWSL Championship

All photos by Victoria Klum.