Four Words on Week One of the Courage Season

FIRE: Kerolin may not have scored a goal last Saturday against the Kansas City Current, but she’s harnessed the wily evasiveness of the Road Runner. And she’s showing that she’s more than willing to throw down when an opposing player gets a little extra chippy defending her. Injuries and international duty made for a bit of a stop-start season for Kerolin in 2022: Here’s to a full season of her wreaking havoc on defenses and taking her place among the Brazilian women who have become global superstars.

INVESTMENT: The NWSL has made it a priority to invest not only in important issues such as player salaries and health care, but it’s the first women’s soccer league in the world to implement VAR (much to NJ/NY Gotham’s delight and Angel City’s dismay). But it’s also good to see investment coming not just from celebrities but national brands like Ally Bank and local companies including Merz Aesthetics, the newest front-of-jersey sponsor for the NC Courage.

Investing in women’s sports is not only great for helping them increase their visibility and improve playing and living conditions for the athletes. It also makes damn good business sense when you consider that women make up more than half the population.

PERSEVERANCE: Ryan Williams’ journey with North Carolina is a story of hard work and perseverance. Williams was drafted by the Courage in 2018 but wasn’t signed by the club right away. In a roster filled with marquee names, Williams continued to train and has always been ready to step in where she was needed, whether it’s her regular outside back, midfield, or, as she did on Saturday, at center back.Her versatility and enthusiasm for pitching in where she can best help the team should earn her a regular spot in the starting lineup this season. And I’m here for 2023 being her breakout year.

SUPPORT: Emily Gray was looking forward to a breakout year of her own with the Courage. Sadly, that came to a crushing halt when she suffered a season-ending knee injury late in the preseason. During Saturday’s warmups, her Courage teammates all wore shirts honoring the midfielder with her name and jersey number. Here’s wishing Emily a speedy and complete recovery!