**CARY, NC** – The 2023 NWSL season officially kicked off at WakeMed Soccer Park with the North Carolina Courage defeating the Kansas City Current, 1-0, thanks to debutant Mille Gejl’s strike from distance in the first half. Though the teams’ shot count was similar—11 for NC and 10 for KC—the Courage seemed favorites for the result the entire match and did well to hold on for a victory in the opener.
In the second minute, the Courage’s first real foray into the Current’s defensive third resulted in forward Tyler Lussi feeding teammate Kerolin into the penalty area. As Kerolin took a touch away from goal in the penalty area, the onrushing Kansas City goalkeeper AD Franch came off her line and was able to smother the chance. North Carolina’s game plan in attack was clear from the outset as they would continue to feed the Brazilian forward on the run and in behind the defense.
Four minutes later, the Courage tried that game plan once again as Kerolin was released down the right side. The forward did well to streak past the defense into the penalty area, and as she danced around a defender, she cut a pass back for midfielder Narumi Miura. Miura then fired on goal from about 14 yards out and forced a save out of Franch, though the ensuing corner resulted in nothing for the home side.
The Current did settle into the match and had a decent spell of possession at the other end, but failed to threaten the Courage goal. Then, in the 23rd minute, North Carolina were able to strike first as newcomer Mille Gejl put the hosts on the board. Taking the ball down the left side of the field, Gejl dribbled inside toward the middle of the field and, still some 20-plus yards out, fired a low strike toward the bottom left corner of the goal. The ball then sailed past the defense to where Franch was unable to get a hand to it and rippled the back of the net. The strike saw Gejl claim the first goal of the 2023 season as her side took a lead midway through the first half. With the goal, Gejl became the third player in North Carolina history to score on her regular season debut and the first since Julia Spetsmark’s arrival in 2019. Though Gejl’s run was extensive, midfielder Narumi Miura got credit for the assist.
A few minutes later, North Carolina’s pace in the attacking line continued to open opportunities down the left side as Kerolin played a quick one-two and was set streaking down toward the penalty area. Receiving possession back and moving toward goal, Kerolin struck toward Franch’s goal and watched as her effort dragged narrowly wide as she nearly doubled her side’s advantage.
As the first half continued, Kansas City and North Carolina would create several chances in front of the other side’s goal, though neither would add a second goal to the game through the duration of the half. Overall, the Courage were the better side in the opening 45 minutes and deserved their 1-0 advantage heading into the halftime interval.
Into the second half, the hosts continued to keep their tempo and saw another great opportunity for Gejl fall as one of the only chances created through to the hour mark. After finding success from distance once, Gejl again received a pass from Miura and tested Franch, though this time the goalkeeper was more than equal to the effort. As the half wore on, Kansas City struggled to create quality chances of their own in front of goal. However, in the 78 ^th minute, forward Michelle Cooper was played into the penalty area and did manage to get a snapshot off. However, her effort was easily held by Courage goalkeeper Casey Murphy.
North Carolina did have an opportunity to put the match to bed in the 82 ^nd minute after a blitzing counterattack set Kerolin and rookie Olivia Wingate ahead. Following a set piece that the Courage did well to clear, Kerolin was off to the races and took two Current defenders with her as she gravitated toward the left side. From there, the Brazilian was able to spot the run of Wingate on the opposite side and slid a pass through with Wingate attempting to run onto it around 25 yards away from goal. However, Wingate was unable to bring the ball under control and Kansas City escaped what would have been the final nail in the proverbial coffin with just a few minutes to play.
In a similar vein, North Carolina had another chance to add a second just before the end of regulation time as this time Wingate turned provider. Streaking down the right again, Wingate found teammate Rikke Madsen open in the middle of the field after absorbing pressure from two defenders and creating the space. Madsen received the pass and attempted to curl a right-footed effort past Franch and into the bottom corner, but her shot rolled just wide of the far post.
When the final whistle sounded, the North Carolina Courage kept all three points after a well-earned 1-0 victory over the Kansas City Current. Midfielder Mille Gejl’s 23 ^rd -minute strike was the difference maker despite chances for the Courage to add to that, but head coach Sean Nahas’s side will be thrilled with the win, nonetheless. The win is North Carolina’s first in its season opener since 2018.

Match Highlights

Match Highlights