This year, they did not take the ICC Title, did that make them hungrier for this year's NWSL crown? This is their 3rd straight year going up for the top trophy in women's pro soccer. Will NC be out shone by the Red Stars, find out tomorrow 3:30 p.m. on ESPN. Last year, 3-0 over the Thorns, put their emphatic stamp on the championship. A win in just over 24 hours, would have them as the first team to take the title at home. This is the 3rd playofff meet in a row with these 2 adversaries, Chicago has been sent to the offseason in the semis the last 2. It was Chicago who blew past those prickly Thorns this time, 1-0 in Chi town, off the left boot of Sam Kerr this year's Golden Boot winner. That same day, they Reigned supreme over Reign FC 4-1 in extra time with Long Islander Crystal Dunn, Heather O'Rielly, & Brazilian international Debhina netting goals for NC. Now 3 time winners of the NWSL shield with a stellar 15-5-4 record goood for 49 points and a +31 goal differential, they reseet their own season goal mark at 54. The top goal getter for this offensive juggernaut was Lynn Williams, a dozen, good for #2 league wide, #3 was Kristen Hamilton with 9 in just 1,313 minutes, they also had #2 in assists, Debinha and 3rd in Jaelene Hinkle. Rory Dames, the HC of Chicago for a time now had the 2nd best record on the year at 14-8-2 for 44 points. Kerr of the Aussie national team lead the charge in goals of course, as she now has 3 straight years as the top scorer in the top league, she had a hand or rather any body part but below the shoulder in 23 of the teams 41 goals, amazing, well over half as she added 5 assists. Lead by Long Island legend, Paul Riley, the Courage seek their first win of the year in the last game of the year facing Chicago, a 1-1 tie last time up in Cary back in April for the season opener and a pair of away losses, this is the ultimate grudge match for the season.
Despite knowing an Uncle, Paul from my last team, the Louisville Thunder and her father, Angelo, an ex NY Cosmos player to Vanessa Dibernardo, as well as the mother in law Lisa to Julie Ertz, the LI ties to the Courage are too strong to deny. Paul Riley, Crystal Dunn, Shannon Horgan, even Merrit Mathias did a clinic here and we had a great interview with Jessica McDonald, the Courage are our pick tomorrow. After they win, come to the clinic already scheduled by Shannon in Long Beach on Nov 24 from 10-1, remind me of this and you will be sure to get a photo by me with her.