Jessica McDonald led North Carolina to a 2-1 win over OL Reign, but Jessica Fishlock provided the moment of the week with a magical goal for a late consolation on Saturday. The Jess Fishlock lob was in my opinion the best goal of the day, even with Euro 2020 going on.
Taking advantage of the national TV spotlight on CBS (though it wouldn’t have hurt to kick off an hour later to avoid overlap with Spain-Poland), the NWSL put on a show, one that helped commemorate Juneteenth.
On Juneteenth, we celebrate the emancipation of enslaved Americans while recognizing that we have much more to do to eliminate racism. Sport has a unique role to play and the NWSL is unified in our commitment to doing our part to make the world a better, fairer, more just place. pic.twitter.com/gPi0YNL5Fb
— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) June 19, 2021
McDonald, one of the league’s most preeminent Black players, opened the scoring on Juneteenth with a header just before halftime.
@J_Mac1422 heads it home #NCvRGN | https://t.co/vmDqcK3jfH | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/YNuUxRzhei
— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) June 19, 2021
J-Mac’s not afraid to show off those mom muscles and moments later she was the feature of the CBS halftime show talking about her career, which she’s been able to share with her son Jeremiah.
"Ever since day one, the kid has been by my side." ❤️
Hear @J_Mac1422 talk about her decade-long career - and what sharing #JuneTeenth2021 with her son, Jeremiah, means to her.#NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/DDSPglJmUQ— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) June 19, 2021
Sam Mewis doubled the Courage lead in the 77th minute, turning home a Lynn Williams cross 11 minutes after coming on as a sub.
The Tower of Power strikes again ⚡️#NCvRGN | https://t.co/vmDqcK3jfH | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/sr5zEKTTIb
— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) June 19, 2021
Not exactly the start to life in the U.S. that France keeper Sarah Bouhaddi would have liked, but she did get a great view of the early frontrunner for goal of the season in the NWSL.
Jess Fishlock Lob Goal vs N.C. Courage
Searching for a way to get back in the match, the Reign found it from Wales icon Jess Fishlock. The 34-year-old midfielder stole the ball near midfield and looked for an outlet before spotting Courage keeper Casey Murphy off the line. What ensued was one of the best goals in NWSL history.
Jess goes fishing, and catches a big one #NCvRGN | https://t.co/vmDqcK3jfH | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/r2RU9zI4iG
— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) June 19, 2021
Unlike Patrik Schick’s goal against Scotland in Euro 2020 earlier in the week, in which the keeper was way off his line, Murphy wasn’t actually all that far out. Fishlock just provided a masterful lob to give the Reign a chance at a comeback.
In the end, the Courage held on for the win — a record 75th for N.C. coach Paul Riley — but Fishlock certainly made things interesting late.
Today's @TheNCCourage victory was Paul Riley's 7️⃣5️⃣th in his #NWSL career - a new record
Congrats, coach! #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/ooqWltIgkJ— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) June 19, 2021
