The 2022 NWSL season will hopefully bring to an end the search for a title for the two oldest franchises in US women's professional soccer, the Boston Breakers and the Chicago Red Stars. Twelve other teams will have their say on whether either franc...
The Sunday afternoon meeting between the Chicago Red Stars and North Carolina Courage boiled down to the lack of defensive depth for Chicago biting them once again. Sofia Huerta's eighteenth minute goal from Kristie Mewis gave the Red Stars a 1-0 lead at halftime, but with Casey Short being lifted after 55 minutes due to pain from her high ankle sprain suffered against Houston, the right side of the Courage's offense was able to attack Mewis and Courtney Niemiec with impunity, resulting in a goal in the 62nd minute from Marta and the game winner in the 65th from Makenzy Doniak. A strong defensive effort from the back line of Taylor Smith, Abby Erceg, Estelle Johnson, and Rebecca Moros kept Chicago's multitude of weapons at bay. In stoppage time, Sabrina D'Angelo picked up a yellow card for time-wasting, her fourth caution of the season, which means she will be suspended for North Carolina's match in Boston on May 28th. The Courage's 2-1 victory moves them out a tie with Sky Blue and into fourth place in the East, six points behind the Breakers and Storm.
North Carolina 2 Chicago 1 (Marta/Doniak, Doniak/Proffitt; Huerta/Mewis)
After six weeks of the NWSL season, the standings look like this:
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With their game being this afternoon, the Red Stars and Courage are the last teams to release their players to their national federations for the international break. At the Raleigh-Durham airport, the seven players on their way to Kansas City board their flight and take up seats near the back. Alyssa and Steph are together, with Taylor, Casey, and Christina across the aisle and Danielle and Cari in front of the two Red Star veterans.
Steph (to Alyssa): When we get to Kansas City and are settled into our rooms, I need to track down Sam and find out what the schedule is for the next few days so we can figure out when to hold our May meeting of the Wedding Committee.
Alyssa: Kristie told me that Sam would send her and Abby a note after dinner with the options as she saw them.
Taylor overhears the conversation and pipes up.
Taylor: Are you two talking about Sam and Abby's wedding?
Steph: Yes.
Alyssa: Taylor, you're part of the honor guard, right? I think I remember seeing your name on the last thing I got from Abby.
