The 11th season of the National Women’s Soccer League kicked off on Saturday with the N.C. Courage hosting and defeating the Kansas City Current 1-0 at WakeMed Soccer Park.
Danish international Mille Gejl scored the game’s lone goal with a strike from way outside the box in the 23rd minute.
Before you play this video just be sure that your volume is down. There were some extremely apparent issues with the microphones being used by broadcasters JP Dellacamera and Lianne Sanderson.
Mille Gejl goal vs. KC Current
The first goal of the season goes to Mille Gejl and @TheNCCourage! pic.twitter.com/kzmiZwyqbq
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) March 25, 2023
How about another angle for the first goal of the NWSL season, #CourageCountry! pic.twitter.com/VW6LFF3yRi
— NC Courage (@TheNCCourage) March 25, 2023
BREAKING: sources tell me these are the microphones being used on the #NWSL broadcast pic.twitter.com/BQFFJGHpqu
— Jenna Tonelli (@jennatonelli) March 25, 2023
the audio sounds like jp and lianne are broadcasting to us from an allied bunker and in between goals will be reminding us ration books are only good for 2 ounces of tea not 3 starting next week
— Steph Yang | Horrible Soccer Goose (@thrace) March 25, 2023
N.C. Courage were the better side throughout the 90 minutes. The Courage could’ve won by three or more goals had it not been for some poor finishing and quality goalkeeping from KC’s Adrianna Franch.
One of the most threatening players was Brazilian forward Kerolin who terrorized KC’s defense. She was involved in two of the best chances during the first half with Franch having to make big saves on both occasions.
Kerolin dancing around the defense.
AD Franch with a wonderful save.Early action in North Carolina and @paramountplus. pic.twitter.com/z7usrUh7HR
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) March 25, 2023
Kerolin is giving KC Current's defense fits in the first half.
AD Franch comes up with a huge save right before HT. pic.twitter.com/arfWhe3Wco— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) March 25, 2023
The KC Current, who were without star Brazilian and former N.C. Courage forward Debinha, couldn’t find an equalizer despite recording 10 shots and having 10 corners.
Olivia Wingate nearly had an epic assist in the 90th minute after dribbling past KC’s entire defense, however Rikke Madsen skewed her shot wide.
Rikke Madsen will want this one back.
How about that run from Olivia Wingate though?! pic.twitter.com/cCDXdQMhWz— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) March 25, 2023
Up next for the Courage is a trip to Snapdragon Stadium to face San Diego Wave FC on April 1. KC will also play that Saturday with the team’s home opener against the defending champions Portland Thorns.
