Live Blogging: 2018 NWSL Playoffs: North Carolina Courage versus Chicago Red Stars 09/18/2018

NWSL: North Carolina Courage vs. Chicago Red Stars

ESPNEWS TV Broadcast

Starting Lineups

Hello and welcome to another edition of ‘Live Blogging on Shish on Women’s Soccer’. Tonight it is Game 2 of the NWSL Playoffs As NWSL Shield Champion North Carolina Courage take on Chicago Red Stars.

Courage were suppose to be the home team in this match, but due to Hurricane Florence the league moved the match to Providence Park in Portland, OR. Providence Park is the site of 2018 NWSL Championship Match, as well as the home digs of the Portland Thorns. The winner of tonight’s match will play the Defending Champion Thorns Saturday in Portland for the NWSL Championship.

As for this match, the Courage are hoping that they can overcome the distraction of Hurricane Florence and try to win a NWSL Championship for the Carolinas. But they play against one of the better teams against them, Chicago Red Stars.

The Red Stars got 2 points from the Courage and are hoping that Sam Kerr’s dominance can transcend into the Playoffs.

It is North Carolina Courage taking on Chicago Red Stars, coming up shortly.

Match Location: Providence Park, Portland, OR

Both teams are in their 4-4-2 formation. 

The Courage are in their navy and gold uniforms. While the Red Stars are in their white tops, red shorts and socks. 

1st Half:
​:00:00: Courage wins the kickoff. 
:03:00: Nagasoto hits the Courage Goal Post. NC 0, CHI 0
:04:00: Debinha's shot misses, for the Courage.
:05:00: GOAL: Jessica McDonald scores a goal for the Courage. NC 1, CHI 0
:07:00: Corner kick won by Courage. 
:07:00: Mewis' header is saved by Naeher.
​:09:00: Kerr hits the Courage Post, for the Red Stars.
:11:00: Kerr's shot saved by D'Angelo. 
:11:00: Dunn's shot saved by Naeher.
:13:00: Debinha's shot blocked by Ertz. Courage wins a corner kick. 
:15:00: Brian's shot blocked. Red Stars win a corner kick.
:17:00: Red Stars win the corner kick.
:22:00: Debinha misses a free kick shot, for the Courage.
:24:00: Courage wins a corner kick. McDonald hits Ertz in the torso. 
:25:00: Courage wins a corner kick. 
:25:00: McDonald's header saved by Nagasoto. 
:28:00: DiBernardo misses a shot, for Red Stars.
:32:00: Kerr misses a shot, for Red Stars.
:33:00: Debinha's shot saved by Naeher. Courage wins a corner kick.
:34:00: Hinkle misses McDonald, on a pass near the Red Stars Net.
:37:00: Red Stars win a corner kick.
:38:00: Di Bernardo's corner kick saved by D'Angelo. 
:42:00: Nagasoto's shot saved by D'Angelo.
:43:00: Hinkle's shot saved by Naeher. 
:45:00: 1 minute of stoppage time.
:46:07: The Match has reached Halftime.

Halftime:
NC 1, CHI 0

Halftime Scoring:
:05:00: Jessica McDonald (NC)

Halftime Thoughts:
It was fast paced the 1st part of the 1st Half. But then the match slowed down. Red Stars had some scoring opportunities, but couldn't cash them in for goals. 

2nd Half:
:45:00: Red Stars will kickoff to start the 2nd Half.
​ :46:00: Brian's shot saved by D'Angelo. 
:47:00: Short's shot missed, for the Red Stars.
:52:00: Debinha called for offsides.
:55:00: Short's shot by D'Angelo. 
:56:00: McDonald's shot missed, for the Courage.
:57:00: Dunn's shot blocked.
:59:00: McDonald is fouled by Julie Ertz. 
:72:00: YELLOW CARD: Merritt Mathias earns a yellow card for tripping Sam Kerr in the 18' box. 
:73:00: Morgan Brian misses the header, but her arm lands on the post. 
:73:00: INJURY TIMEOUT: Brian comes to the sideline. Brian returns to the game.
:75:00: McDonald's shot blocked. 
:77:00: Courage wins a corner kick.
:78:00: McDonald called for a foul, before a Naeher save. 
:80:00: Debinha's misses a bicycle kick attempt.
:81:00: Debinha's shot saved by Naeher.
:81:00: SUBSTITUTION: Michele Vasconcelos replaces Alyssa Mautz, for the Red Stars. 
:86:00: GOAL: Samantha Mewis scores a laser for the Courage. NC 2, CHI 0
:87:00: SUBSTITUTION: Kristen Hamilton replaces Debinha, for the Courage. 
:87:00: SUBSTITUTION: Rosie White replaces Vanessa DiBernado, for the Red Stars.
:88:00: Williams' shot saved by Naeher. 
:88:00: SUBSTIUTION: Heather O'Reilly replaces Merritt Mathias.
:90:00: Courage wins a corner kick. 
​:90:00: 4 minutes of stoppage time.
:90:00+1: Red Stars win a corner kick.
:90:00+5: Courage wins a corner kick.
:94:42: The Match has reached Full Time.

Full Time: 
NC 2, CHI 0

Courage advances to NWSL Championship, to play the Portland Thorns FC, in Portland. 

Final Scoring:
:05:00: Jessica McDonald (NC)
:86:00: Samantha Mewis (NC)

​Final Thoughts:
This game had was slow paced, for most of the game. But the Courage was able to get the goals, keep Sam Kerr from getting, and the Courage will face the Thorns, for the NWSL Championship. As for the Red Stars, they hope to figure out how to get to advance to NWSL Semifinals. 

This is Paul Shishkoff, Jr. This has been 'Live Blogging on Shish on Women's Soccer'. Thanks for visiting this page.
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