Tune into this week’s edition which saw critical victories clinched by Washington Spirit and Chicago Red Stars, with San Diego Wave taking the lead after triumphing over Portland​. This week's spotlight is on NC Courage's star forward, Kerolin, who has been instrumental in her team's competitive edge this season, in a league where the top three teams are merely separated by three points.

Washington Spirit vs KC Current (2-1)

Kansas City Current took an early lead with a penalty kick by Debinha but was later defeated 2-1 by Washington Spirit, who scored two goals in the second half, the clincher coming from Trinity Rodman during stoppage time. Despite the loss, coupled with a victory by Chicago Red Stars, Kansas City remains in contention for the NWSL Playoffs, emphasizing the competitive spirit of the teams as they inch closer to the playoff stage.

Chicago Red Stars vs Racing Louisville (1-0)

In a nail-biting encounter, the Chicago Red Stars clinched a 1-0 victory over Racing Louisville at SeatGeek Stadium, a crucial win that kept their NWSL playoff dreams alive with just two games left in the regular season. This marked their first triumph over Louisville in four attempts in 2023, with Bianca St-Georges scoring the decisive goal, also the Red Stars' sole goal against Louisville this year, in a match filled with near misses and a gallant goal-line clearance by Casey Krueger in the dying moments to secure the win.

Portland Thorns vs San Diego Wave (0-2)

The Portland Thorns were defeated 2-0 by the San Diego Wave, marking a dip in form since the World Cup break and causing them to slide to second in the NWSL standings. Despite a more aggressive play in the second half, the absence of their key player, Sophia Smith, due to injury, significantly impacted the Thorns. On the other hand, the Wave showcased strong midfield control and capitalized on their chances, propelling them to the top of the table with only two more games left in the regular season.

Gotham FC vs Houston Dash (0-2)

In a hard-fought match, Houston Dash emerged victorious with a 2-0 win despite Gotham FC's dominant possession of 72% in the second half, showcasing an impressive defensive performance. Gotham FC's offensive onslaught with 20 shots in the second half alone kept Houston on their toes, yet their goalkeeper's crucial saves, coupled with Michelle Alozie's brace, ensured the Dash's victory. Interesting dynamics included World Cup champion Esther González's addition to Gotham FC's attack, and a disallowed goal for Gotham FC following a video review for offsides which could have changed the game's momentum.

OL Reign 🟥 vs NC Courage (1-1)

In a closely contested match at Lumen Field, the North Carolina Courage and OL Reign ended in a 1-1 draw. Despite being a player down in the second half due to a red card incident, OL Reign managed to hold the fort, although the Courage dominated with a 24-5 shot advantage and 69% possession. Interesting to note, Kerolin's goal for the Courage marked her 10th of the season, placing her second in the Golden Boot race, and the match saw the Courage having a player-advantage for the second time this season, showcasing their competitive edge.

Angel City vs Orlando Pride (0-1)

Orlando Pride secured a 1-0 victory against Angel City in their Monday-night match. The game's lone goal was scored by Adriana around the 22-minute mark of the first half, giving the Pride a solid lead. Despite Angel City's efforts to make substitutions and regain momentum in the second half, the Pride's strong defense held them off. The game ended in the Pride's favor after more than 10 minutes of overtime, breaking a streak of late-game goals in their previous encounters. Orlando Pride's next match will be against Racing Louisville on October 6 at 7:30 p.m.

Kerolin (NC Courage)

Kerolin Nicoli Israel Ferraz, known as Kerolin, is a Brazilian footballer born on 17 November 1999, currently playing for the North Carolina Courage in the NWSL and as a forward for the Brazil national team. Her career spotlight came in 2018 when she was named the breakout female player in the Brasileirão by the Brazilian Football Confederation, scoring 14 goals in 35 games for Ponte Preta.

Raised by her single mother in Bauru before moving to Campinas, Kerolin's early life was challenging. At 12, she faced a health setback with osteomyelitis and cellulitis in her leg, advising her against contact sports. Nevertheless, she pursued her passion, joining the youth system of Valinhos Futebol Clube, and later shining in Ponte Preta, being voted the best player of the 2017 Campeonato Paulista.

Her career took a significant stride when on loan to Corinthians/Audax, she played a vital role in their 2017 Copa Libertadores Femenina victory. However, in 2019, her career hit a snag due to a doping allegation which led to a provisional suspension by CONMEBOL, barring her from the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.

The suspension lifted in January 2021, marking her comeback. Transferring to Madrid CFF in April 2021 and later to North Carolina Courage in January 2022, Kerolin made a resilient return. Noteworthy performances included scoring her first NWSL hat-trick in a 5-0 win against Chicago Red Stars in 2023, and her call to a Brazil national team training camp in 2021, renewing her international football journey.

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