Final match announced for 5p ET on Sunday, Nov. 2
So much news this week! Normally I love NWSL chaos, but the Courage are really running it down to the wire this year, vying with Racing Louisville for the final playoff position.
The Courage posted a dominant 4-1 performance over Bay FC, with Manaka Matsukubo becoming the youngest NWSL player to ever achieve a hat trick. Louisville played well against Gotham, but a late penalty goal from Rose Lavelle forced a draw.
The end result from the weekend is that Louisville is currently ranked higher, but the Courage can overtake them if:
- The Courage beat Gotham FC on Sunday Nov. 2 AND
- Racing has a draw or loss against Bay FC
Both teams play at home for their final match, and both games are scheduled for 5p ET.
This weekend, clubs get a break for international friendlies, and the remaining matches will be held on Nov. 2, Decision Day. The final matches will determine the Courage’s fate, as well as several playoff seedings.
Let’s take a look at that tremendous win over Bay, and what’s in store for the final match.
Recap: Courage v. Bay FC
The Courage were, simply put, unstoppable against Bay FC. They were sharp, precise and largely in control of the match. They scored twice early, and spent much of the remaining match working the ball through the midfield, hungry for more. There were a couple of efforts from Bay that nearly equalized, but ultimately the Courage attack was too overwhelming.
There were no changes in the Courage starting line up from last week. They once again started Meredith Speck in the forward position, Natalie Jacobs over Maycee Bell, and Casey Murphy in goal. Bay answered a unique question by fielding Brooklyn Courtnall, a center back on loan from the Courage, with no restrictions against her facing her parent club.
Manaka scored at just 3’, following a great header from Ryan Williams and an incredibly deft assist from Ashley Sanchez, who kicked the ball high and gentle over defenders to Manaka’s feet. Manaka found space somehow under keeper Jordan Silkowitz’s armpit for the goal.
Her next goal came at 8’, with a great long ball forward from Riley Jackson. Speck, who brings the speed North Carolina needs to field these forward passes, made a terrific pass to Manaka, who scored. This second goal fully took the wind out of Bay’s sails and silenced their fans.
With assists from every direction, it was difficult for Bay to know where connections would come from, creating a lot of chaos on their defense. It seems like finally the Courage were able to play the type of soccer they strive to play.
Bay’s lone goal came right before the half, which kept the game exciting. Bay earned a corner kick, which have vexed the Courage all season. Alyssa Malonson went for a short kick, but received the ball right back on a pass, and kicked a long sailing cross in to Penelope Hocking, always a scoring threat. She managed to steer a header past Murphy.
On a Courage corner just after the half, repeated shots earned a handball call against Bay. It gave Manaka a penalty shot opportunity, but Silkowitz successfully batted it away. Bay had a two good looks around 67’ and 68’, each glancing off the woodwork, that would have equalized the match.
At 74’, Manaka made another nice run at goal, which drew pretty much all of the defenders, leaving Speck and Tyler Lussi wide open. Manaka makes a nice high pass to Lussi, who angled a perfect header into the center of the box, where Shinomi Koyama made an excellent run and scored.
The final goal, at 80’, resulted from Bay making a slow and terrible reset pass back to Silkowitz, and Manaka having the wherewithal to sneak up and disrupt the pass. Silkowitz went down, and Manaka had a wide open shot on goal for a hat trick.
Ending on a positive note, Denise O’Sullivan returned to the pitch as a sub this week, coming off of injury.
Standout stats
- Manaka became the youngest player in NWSL history to score a hat trick, and had 4/5 shots on target.
- The Courage had 3.42 xG, showing how precise they were (both teams had 16 total shots).
- Out of 16 total shots, the Courage took 13 inside the box.
- Bay narrowly won the possession battle at 53%, but this was a good example of the Courage controlling the ball when they needed to, and taking appropriate risks.
- Bay received two yellow cards; the Courage had 0.
- Bay had 5 corners to the Courage 2, and Bay scored on one.
Look ahead: Courage v. the Gothams
While always a threat, Gotham is very banged up. Keeper Ann-Katrin Berger, along with forwards Geyse and Ella Stevens, have been out with knee injuries. There was a last-minute update in their most recent match against Louisville, with Esther listed as out with a hip injury. And Tierna Davidson has a season-ending knee injury.
Shelby Hogan has recently taken over goalkeeping duties, and the defensive line features Bruninha, Emily Sonnett and Lily Reale. Jaelin Howell has been excellent in the midfield, standing alongside Rose Lavelle. And the front is rounded out by former Courage player Jaedyn Shaw, along with Midge Purce and Katie Stengel.
In short, scoring can come from anywhere, including Sonnett or the wingbacks. Last week, Howell scored one goal, and Rose Lavelle took a penalty kick for the other to draw with Racing.
At this late stage, both teams look a lot different than when they squared off in April, when Gotham beat the Courage 3-1. And they varying motivations.
Under a narrow set of circumstances, Gotham can end up in the 4th spot on the table, clinching a home berth, so it’s not guaranteed they will rest players in preparation for the playoffs.
The Courage, of course, must win to keep their season going, and are dependent on Louisville.
It doesn’t get more edge-of-your-seat than being on the playoff bubble, and the final home match is sure to be packed. The NWSL announced a 5 p.m. kickoff for this match, which will also air on ESPN and ESPN+.
Courage news and updates
- In a nice surprise, the Courage signed outside back Sydney Schmidt just before the late season roster freeze. Schmidt has played for the USYNT and is competing in the U-17 World Cup in Morocco. She’ll join the Courage once that run ends.
- Manaka received player of the week honors for the second time this season.
- Lussi earned assist of the week for her smart header to Shinomi.
- Other call ups for international duty, besides Schmidt:
- O’Sullivan will compete with Ireland in a 2-leg UEFA Women’s Nations League playoff in Belgium
- Manaka and Shinomi will compete in Japan’s friendlies against Italy and Norway
- Cortnee Vine was called up for Australia, facing Wales and England
- Jackson will participated in the U-23 training camp in Philadelphia
Around the league and beyond
- The U.S., Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica launched a bid to host the 2031 Women’s World Cup. It’s also the only bid.
- NWSL posted how to find all of the Decision Day matches.
- Boston Legacy FC will have the most expensive season tickets in the NWSL.
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, November 2, 5:00 pm ET
North Carolina Courage v. Gotham FC
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