{"id":22243,"date":"2019-04-14T13:17:20","date_gmt":"2019-04-14T17:17:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonsoccer.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=22243"},"modified":"2019-04-14T13:17:20","modified_gmt":"2019-04-14T17:17:20","slug":"north-carolina-courage-chicago-red-stars-draw-in-semifinal-rematch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2019\/04\/14\/north-carolina-courage-chicago-red-stars-draw-in-semifinal-rematch\/","title":{"rendered":"North Carolina Courage, Chicago Red Stars draw in semifinal rematch"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cary, North Carolina (April 14, 2019) \u2014<\/strong> For the last two seasons, Samantha Kerr has led the NWSL in scoring. Last season, she led the league with 16 goals. On Saturday, opening her second season with the Chicago Red Stars, Kerr opened up her scoring account.<\/p>\n

North Carolina Courage, Chicago Red Stars draw in semifinal rematch<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Kerr scored the opening goal of the Chicago Red Stars clash with the reigning NWSL champions, the North Carolina Courage. The last time these two sides met was in Portland, where they were forced to play their NWSL semifinal match. A hurricane hitting the coast of the Carolinas prevented the match to be played in North Carolina.<\/p>\n

This time, the story was different.<\/p>\n

Instead of a victory for the Courage, the two sides battled to a 1-1 draw. Kerr began the scoring with a goal in the 26th minute. Yuki Nagasato, who was one of Chicago’s most consistent members of the midfield last season, assisted the goal.<\/p>\n

However, Chicago didn’t keep the lead.<\/p>\n

Despite featuring on defense for the U.S. Women’s National Team, Crystal Dunn doesn’t stray from the attack for the Courage. Instead, she features in the attacking midfield. Paul Riley doesn’t tailor to what Jill Ellis, USWNT head coach, wants. Instead, he does what he knows works.<\/p>\n

Putting Dunn in an attacking position works, as she scored the equalizing goal in the 66th minute. Her national team partner and striker Jessica McDonald recorded the assist.<\/p>\n

In front of\u00a04,053 at WakeMed Soccer Park, the Courage began their season with one point. Last year, the Courage were close to keeping an unbeaten record throughout the regular season. However, the North Carolina club had one loss to the Utah Royals FC.<\/p>\n

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First goal of the #NWSL<\/a> season goes to @samkerr1<\/a> of @ChiRedStarsPR!<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc4f#NCvCHI<\/a> | #NWSL<\/a> | \ud83d\udcbb @YahooSports<\/a>: https:\/\/t.co\/lApUrwqIjH<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Vg0K8mij3r<\/a><\/p>\n

— National Women\u2019s Soccer League (@NWSL) April 13, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n