North Carolina Courage hammered Chicago Red Stars by a record 4-0 to win a second straight NWSL Championship title.

It took the reigning champions less than four minutes to get their noses in front as Jessica McDonald crossed for Debinha who, after her first two efforts were blocked, finished at the third time of asking.

McDonald then doubled Courage's lead mid-way through the first half when Lynn Williams' wicked delivery was met with a deft close-range header by the American forward.

And the game looked all but over before half-time when Crystal Dunn reacted quickest in the box to pounce on a goalmouth scramble and send the holders in 3-0 up.

It was more of the same after the break as Samantha Mewis made it four shortly after the hour mark when Abby Dahlkemper's long, direct ball into the box was flicked into the top corner.

The win is the biggest margin of victory in an NWSL Championship match since the league was formed seven years ago.