Hello Courage Country!
The playoff picture is finally clear. The final day of the regular season is this Sunday, Nov. 1. To make it to the post season, the Courage must beat the scrappy Denver Summit. Additionally, Seattle will need to post a draw or a loss to a sagging Orlando Pride.
Players, along with head coach Mak Lind, expressed disappointment in Sunday’s 1-0 loss away in Portland, but there’s a final chance at home this week for the team to end on a high note.
What we learned: Courage v. Portland Thorns
A lot is coming together, but it might be too little, too late
The Courage did many things well this week. They cut down on turnovers and dialed up the physicality, repeatedly winning tackles and duels. For the effort, the team earned 63% possession and controlled much of the match.
What they didn’t do, despite earlier success this season, is create chances. Portland earned a 1.51 xG, while the Courage posted a 0.72 xG. Expected goals is a fuzzy stat in a single match, but in this case, the possession and xG stats align to tell the story.
If the Courage can combine this week’s effort and ball control with their previous ability to create goal-scoring opportunities, they’ll have no problem putting Denver away at First Horizon Stadium on Sunday.
Courage can’t shake being a second-half team
Portland was creating more threats early in the game, although the Courage managed not to give up an early goal. Momentum shifted a little before the half.
After the half, the Courage looked like the stronger team. Unfortunately, at 60’, Portland attacked in transition. Courage defender Natalie Jacobs blocked an initial kick, but the ball rebounded to the feet of Portland defender Marie Müller, who kicked a devastating strike for the goal.
At this point, the Courage battled hard for an equalizer, not allowing Portland many more looks at goal. The Courage were unable to find the equalizer, leaving everything on the line on Decision Day.
Look ahead: Courage v. Denver Summit
Don’t count Denver out of the playoffs, either. If the Summit beat the Courage, and Seattle posts a loss, they can claim the 8th and final spot.
Denver has won 3 of their last 5 matches, but that includes wins against bottom-of-the-table Chicago Stars and Racing Louisville, so it’s hard to gauge their current strength.
Denver is also looking healthy. Midfielder Lindsay Heaps was out in the prior matchup, when the Courage won 2-0 in Denver. They also have a formidable defense, including Eva Gaetino, who is paired with former Courage center back Kaleigh Kurtz. Full back Janine Sonis has put away 12 goals this season, tying with Temwa Chawinga at fourth in the golden boot race.
Finally, it’s worth noting Courage forward Ashley Sanchez is still looking to break the all-time scoring record in this final match.
Courage news and updates
- Ally Schlegel came off the D45 injury list this week, and subbed into the match in the second half for Evelyn Ijeh.
Around the league and beyond
- Gotham leads the shield race by 3 points, but it’s not impossible for San Diego to catch them.
- Gotham, San Diego, Washington, Kansas City, Angel City, Utah and Portland have snagged a playoff spot, but only the shield leaders have claimed home field advantage. Every game on Decision Day will have an edge to it.
- Anti-trans agitators showed up at the Courage / Thorns match, pointedly trying to get a reaction from the Portland supporters’ group with hate speech. They were ultimately removed from the match by security. Katie and I discuss this in more detail on this week’s podcast, out tomorrow.
- Lesley Ryder posted an excellent video on the incident.
- The Department of Justice has said they will investigate on behalf of the agitators.
That’s it for this week! As always, you can get in touch with tips, suggestions, corrections and more: contact@lionspitch.com.
Next match: Sunday, Nov. 1, 5:00 pm ET
North Carolina Courage v. Denver Summit
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