The first group of 2021 Challenge Cup matches created headlines. Some on the field and some off, but all four-weekend matches featured moments that stirred conversation. There were fans in the stands, off-field drama, an on-field moment resulting in multiple red cards and the introduction of a new team and dynamic new players across the league. The exciting start to the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup.
Houston Dash vs. Chicago Red Stars
BBVA Stadium held a celebration prior to the first Challenge Cup to celebrate their 2020 tournament victory. The NWSL chose this contest because it’s a rematch of last year’s final. Inside last year’s bubble, Houston won on two exciting goals that acted as book ends of a back-and-forth contest. Unfortunately, all the excitement didn’t transfer to Saturday’s 0-0 draw.
Chicago had their opportunities through midfield play by Morgan Gautrat. She was the catalyst of the Red Stars midfield, completing 79% of her passes, blocking three passes, and applying pressure to Houston. The Houston midfield trio featured two players traded from Portland in the offseason: Emily Ogle and Gabby Seiler. Seiler’s performance stood out, making her first appearance for Houston, playing 90 minutes.
Both teams featured goalkeepers making their NWSL debuts. Of the two, only Houston’s Lindsey Harris made game-changing saves, making two, on the only shots on goal for either side.
Saturday morning, a tweet by Chicago defender Sarah Gorden showed post-match issues with stadium security. They did not let Gorden talk with her boyfriend, who traveled to Texas for the match. This happened while members of the Dash spoke with their families without security intervention.
My bf came to our game against @HoustonDash + after the game he came down steps to talk to me. We were immediately (before he was close 2 me)followed by security and told he would be arrested if he came close. Meanwhile white players were talking to white fam all over the stadium
— Sarah Gorden (@sarahlgorden) April 10, 2021
Houston responded to her tweets with one of their own, four hours later.
— Houston Dash (@HoustonDash) April 10, 2021
Public response to Houston’s tweet points out their lack of mentioning the racial difference in treatment. Monday afternoon, the Dash responded with another response to their initial reaction.
— Houston Dash (@HoustonDash) April 12, 2021
Portland Thorns vs. Kansas City NWSL
Portland and Kansas City started the goalscoring for the 2021 campaign. Defender Meghan Klingenberg, who played a midfield position Saturday, sent in a cross on a free kick. Midfielder Rocky Rodríguez found the end of the pass, scoring a headed goal in the 8th minute. Portland was dangerous in their offensive zone, forcing three saves from Kansas City goalkeeper Abby Smith.
In the second half, a Christen Westphal assist to forward Tyler Lussi gave Portland a 2-0 lead. It didn’t last long. Just two minutes later, a Kansas City turned an attempted Portland clearance into their first goal of the new/relocated franchise. Brittany Ratcliffe sent a wide cross into midfielder Victoria Pickett. Pickett’s pass to forward Amy Rodriguez. The former US international volleyed a shot over the outstretched arms of Portland goalkeeper Adrianna Franch, cutting the lead in half.
As exciting as the goals were, the first four minutes of stoppage time won’t soon leave the minds of league supporters. Forward Simone Charley received the first of four red cards given out in the match. Charley received a second yellow for a dangerous tackle outside of the penalty box. The other three came off an altercation out of play.
Portland substitute, at forward, Morgan Weaver held Kansas City defender Kristen Edmonds from advancing after Kansas City won possession. They both fell to the ground, and when they got up the two made contact again; this time with Edmonds hitting Weaver in response. Official Danielle Chesky gave Edmonds, Weaver, and Portland manager Mark Parsons red cards for their parts in the scuffle.
Portland won 2-1.
NC Courage vs. Washington Spirit
North Carolina hosted Washington in the first of two goal-filled Saturday matchups. Coming into the match, what to expect from the Courage was the big question. After losing key starters in the offseason, no one knew if they could continue their winning ways of 2018 and 2019. Both years where they played dominating football on the way to back-to-back NWSL Shields and NWSL Championships.
Washington came in with expectations that they are a team to beat in 2021. In the fourth minute, Washington showed why. Forward Kumi Yokoyama scored to put Washington up 1-0 early. Then the NC Courage of old entered the chat.
The Courage scored three goals by the 51st minute. Kristen Hamilton buried a pass by Jessica McDonald in the 10th minute, and McDonald scored one of her own in the 28th. Carolina had many other first-half opportunities on top of the two. Midfielder Debinha was dangerous with her four shots, but none were on target. Once she gets into better shooting positions; she’ll change that zero on her goal total quickly.
Fullback Merritt Mathias made it 3-1 in the 51st minute. It started with a pass by Hailie Mace that Mathias converted into the left corner of the goal.
Yokoyama came off the field in the 55th minute for the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NWSL draft: forward Trinity Rodman. Rodman opted out of playing collegiately at Washington State and went straight from high school to the pros. It only took five minutes to see why. Natalie Jacobs sent a long pass into Rodman, who brought the ball down to her feet, in stride, and slotted home a right-footed shot.
North Carolina held on to win 3-2, but more performances like Rodman’s debut will move her off the bench shortly.
Racing Louisville FC vs. Orlando Pride
The Saturday headlining match Louisville’s introduction into the NWSL. In front of 5,300 people, a sellout in a time of COVID-19 creating limited ticket availability, Louisville came in without expectations. They made a good first impression in a match that featured a downpour for 40 minutes and four goals.
Quickly, both teams had chances at goal. Louisville withstood early Orlando’s pressure to create some of their own. Orlando center back Konya Plummer and goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris kept the match at 0-0 after two crosses came strongly into the 18-yard-box.
At the 12-minute mark, forward CeCe Kizer became a piece of trivia as the first person to score a goal for Racing Louisville FC. A pass by the No. 1 NWSL draft pick, defender Emily Fox, led Kizer on a breakaway and subsequent goal.
With one minute remaining in the first half, Orlando scored one of their own off an assist by midfielder Meggie Dougherty Howard. Midfielder Taylor Kornieck scored an impressive-headed goal, under pressure by the young Louisville defense.
The final two goals didn’t come until the last 7 minutes of the match. In the 88th, substitute Abi Kim scored a goal over the head of Louisville goalkeeper Michelle Betos, while slipping, to put Orlando ahead 2-1.
Orlando defender Ali Krieger fouled Louisville midfielder, Savannah McCaskill, in the 93rd minute. McCaskill turned the foul into a free-kick, game-tying goal. The cross arrived at the head of midfielder Freja Olofsson. Her pass to center back Brooke Hendrix, who converted the late-match game-winner.
Beyond Women’s Sports was at the Racing Louisville inaugural match. Read the entire match recap here.
BWS XI
For the 2021 NWSL season, Beyond Women’s Sports will pick the best eleven from each group or weekend of matches. Here are the first group selections.
Upcoming Matches
Since each division has an odd number of teams, Gotham FC and OL Reign play their first matches this week. The next group of Challenge Cup matches run from Wednesday to Friday (home team first):
Wednesday, April 14 – Orlando Pride v. Gotham FC – 7:00 pm ET
Thursday, April 15 – Washington Spirit v. Racing Louisville FC – 7:00 pm ET
Thursday, April 15 – Chicago Red Stars v. Portland Thorns – 7:30 pm ET
Friday, April 16 – OL Reign v. Houston Dash – 10:00 pm ET
Check back to Beyond Women’s Sports throughout the year for more from the NWSL, WNBA, and more. And follow me on Twitter @1ThomasCostello.
