Sally Menti's early strike proved in vain as a clinical North Carolina Courage stage a second-half comeback to inflict a 3-1 defeat on Seattle Reign at a sweltering WakeMed Soccer Park.
Despite an opening period defined by calm, patient possession from the visitors, the Courage took full advantage of critical defensive lapses and a controversial VAR intervention to secure all three points.
From the first whistle, Seattle dictated the tempo, shifting the ball across the backline with maturity. They served an immediate warning of their attacking threat in just the second minute when Sam Meza’s sharp midfield distribution found Menti, who quickly released Maddie Dahlien out wide. The speedy forward cut inside aggressively but flashed her effort just wide of the far post.
The Reign continued to mount pressure, registering four more attempts before finally breaking the deadlock in the 19th minute.
Mia Fishel turned her defender brilliantly before picking out an overlapping run from Sofia Huerta. The Seattle captain showcased excellent vision, calmly slotting the ball to the waiting Menti at the top of the box, who unleashed a flawless, clinical strike into the back of the net.
The visitors' celebrations were short-lived, however, as North Carolina found an equalizer just three minutes later.
Seattle carelessly coughed up possession in their own defensive third, allowing Evelyn Ijeh to poke a short pass to Ashley Sanchez. Standing at the top of the 18-yard box, Sanchez unleashed a powerful drive that took a wicked deflection, leaving the goalkeeper stranded as it ricocheted into the net.
Seattle wrestled back control before the break, carving out back-to-back opportunities in the 43rd and 44th minutes. Fishel nearly turned provider to scorer during a chaotic scramble in the box, pulling the ball back sharply to fire toward goal, but Canadian international goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan reacted superbly to preserve the parity.
The Reign started the second half with similar attacking intent, almost reclaiming the lead in the 47th minute when a pinpoint Huerta free-kick found a teammate unmarked in the center of the box, only for Sheridan to produce another vital save.
The definitive turning point arrived on the hour mark. A heavily contested tackle inside the Reign penalty area was sent to a lengthy VAR review, resulting in the referee pointing to the spot. North Carolina's Riley Jackson stepped up under immense pressure, coolly dispatching the penalty into the lower right corner to hand the hosts the lead.
With Seattle forced to chase the game, the Courage struck the killer blow from open play 11 minutes later. Shinomi Koyama carved open the Reign backline with a beautifully threaded pass into the path of a roaring Sanchez, who calmly slotted her second of the evening inside the far post.
Though Seattle threw bodies forward in a desperate bid to claw their way back into the contest before the final whistle, the North Carolina defense stood resolute to deny the traveling side a point on the road.
|
