Hi everyone! In case you didn't know, the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup Started this week! Every week we will be writing one blog about all the games that happened that week. We usually do one for each game but since there will be so many games, we thought it was a better idea to just write about each game in the same blog. This week The North Carolina Courage played Portland Thorns FC and The Chicago Red Stars played the Washington Spirit. Here's a little bit about each game. During both games warm ups all of the teams wore shirts that said "Black Lives Matter", They kneeled during the National Anthem, and they all wore arm bands with "Black Lives Matter" on them. They also kneeled before they started playing.
North Carolina Courage v Portland Thorns FC
We have to say this game had us on the edge of our seats! The game seamed to be pretty back and fourth but neither team was able to score in the first half. Then in the seventy-fifth minute North Carolina's Debinha scored an amazing header. But Portland had not given up. A few minutes later in the eightieth minute Lindsey Horan hit the ball off the crossbar & Simone Charley was able to hit it into the net on the rebound! But then in the fourth minute of extra time, Lynn Williams headed the ball into the back of the net! North Carolina had taken the lead with only two minutes left in the game. Unfortunately in the second half Ally Watt had to be carried off the field by stretcher. The final score ended up being North Carolina 2 and Portland 1. North Carolina had won the first ever Challenge Cup game!
Chicago Red Stars v Washington Spirit
We saw a beautiful moment between Julie Ertz and Cassey Short while they were kneeling as the National Anthem played. You can see them flooded with emotion while they are hugging. This game wasn't a nail biter but it was definitely an entertaining game. In the eighth minute Ashley Hatch shot the ball but Alyssa Naeher was able to save it with her foot. The rebound went straight to the middle of the 18-yard box. Rose Lavelle was able to run onto it and shoot it into the roof of the net. Then right as the second half started in the forty-fifth minute a Chicago Red Star player passed back to Alyssa Naeher. Naeher took a little too long. Ashley Hatch was able to take the ball and pass the ball into the net! Chicago wasn't just going to give up though. In the fiftieth minute Vanessa DiBernardo passed the ball threw to Morgan Gautrat (formerly Morgan Brian) who shot the ball diagonally into the goal. Both teams had other good shots but the game ended 2-1 with the Spirit taking the win.
If you want to see when other games will be played you can go look at our schedule tab. Stay safe and healthy, and don't forget to check out our other blogs!
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