Jessica McDonald scored her 50th NWSL regular-season goal on Saturday night, helping the Courage to a 4-0 win over Kansas City. McDonald is the fourth player in NWSL history to reach the milestone, and only the second American player to do so behind North Carolina teammate Lynn Williams.
No. 50 for McDonald came in the game’s 21st minute. The forward headed in a Courage corner to put North Caroline up 2-0.
#50 for @J_Mac1422‼️#NCvKC | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/E2AtJGAevz— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 21, 2021
#50 for @J_Mac1422‼️#NCvKC | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/E2AtJGAevz
Williams got the scoring started in her first match back from the Tokyo Olympics. Bringing down a lofted cross from Carson Pickett, Williams slotted a low shot past the Kansas City keeper to give North Carolina a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute.
.@lynnraenie is back in business 😎#NCvKC | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/ROzhYhtQs2— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 21, 2021
.@lynnraenie is back in business 😎#NCvKC | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/ROzhYhtQs2
Amy Rodriguez added to the Courage’s goal tally in the 64th minute, one-timing a cross into the box for her second goal in as many games. It was Rodriguez’s first game against her former team after the Courage acquired her from Kansas City in a trade on July 22.
A-Rod against her former side 😱#NCvKC | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/Qs5hcuUM03— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 22, 2021
A-Rod against her former side 😱#NCvKC | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/Qs5hcuUM03
Meredith Speck capped off a dominant night for North Carolina, blocking a Kansas City shot to trigger a breakaway. With the goalkeeper out of position, Speck darted past midfield and found the back of the open net to give the Courage a commanding 4-0 lead in the 90th minute.
The dagger from @meredithspeck25 😏#NCvKC | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/DM6hCj2ARF— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 22, 2021
The dagger from @meredithspeck25 😏#NCvKC | https://t.co/0LtSAUK1Jw | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/DM6hCj2ARF
With the victory, the Courage extended their win streak to four games.
Next up: North Carolina will face the Washington Spirit on Aug. 29, while Kansas City hosts Racing Louisville on Wednesday.