The 2019 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Championship was a thrilling event that saw the North Carolina Courage fall to the Chicago Red Stars in a hard-fought match. However, the biggest story of the night was the absence of USWNT star Megan Rapinoe, who was forced to miss the match due to a knee injury. Despite her absence, the Red Stars were able to prevail and take home the title.
Rapinoe’s injury was a major blow for the Courage, who had been relying on her leadership and skill to help them win the championship. Without her presence on the field, the Courage were unable to find a way to break down the Red Stars defense and ultimately fell short.
However, Rapinoe’s injury also opened up an opportunity for two other players to make an impact on the match. Yuki Nagasato and Sam Kerr, two of the Red Stars’ most influential players, stepped up in Rapinoe’s absence and helped lead their team to victory. Nagasato scored the game-winning goal in the second half, while Kerr provided the assist.
The duo of Nagasato and Kerr, nicknamed “González and Gotham” by fans, have been instrumental in the Red Stars’ success this season. They have combined for 13 goals and seven assists in the regular season and playoffs, and their efforts were rewarded with a championship.
Rapinoe’s injury was unfortunate, but it allowed González and Gotham to shine and help their team take home the NWSL title. They will now look to build on their success and help the Red Stars defend their championship in 2020.
