CHICAGO – The Red Stars battled Portland to a 1-1 draw in the heat at Toyota Park. Yuki Nagasato notched her second goal of the year for Chicago in the first half.

Just thirty seconds into the match, Chicago showed its motive as Sam Kerr received a lofted ball past the Portland backline and charged down the field, streaking her shot barely wide of the far post. In a matter of minutes, the Red Stars put up several shots to Portland’s zero.

With the ball finding its way on both sides of the field, Chicago found a break as Kerr was taken down in the box, awarding Chicago the penalty kick. Nagasato stepped up for the free opportunity, only to have it saved by goalkeeper Britt Eckerstrom. The deflection was quickly rebounded by Nagasato, putting the ball into the back of the net to give Chicago the lead into the second half.

Minutes into the second half, Portland found the equalizer as chaos ensued in the box. With the box full, Lindsey Horan was able to get a piece of a deflected ball and place it into the side netting to tie the game up.

Continuing the battle in the half, Alyssa Mautz and Nagasato found their fair share of opportunities, all going just over the cross bar.

Kerr narrowly got on the end of a goal after another lobbed ball was controlled ahead of the Portland backline. Kerr stretched wide and shot toward the far post, but Eckerstrom laid out and saved the shot from danger.

The Red Stars will continue its home game stretch on Saturday, June 23, when Chicago hosts Utah Royals FC for their first visit to Toyota Park. Match will kick off at 7 p.m. CT, and will be broadcast live on go90 app and NWSL app. Tickets are available here.

CHICAGO GOALS:
Yuki Nagasato (43’) – With little promising chances being created by each team, the Red Stars got a break as Sam Kerr was taken down in the box by Kelli Hubly. Stepping up to the penalty spot, Nagasato struck the ball low, as Portland goalkeeper Britt Eckerstrom dove correctly and saved the shot. Deflecting back toward the penalty area, Nagasato raced defender Meghan Klingenberg to the ball, striking the rebound into the back of the net.

CHICAGO SAVES:
Alyssa Naeher (15’) – As Portland gained momentum, the Thorns found their way into the 18-yard box. Ellie Carpenter stretched wide, receiving a wide-open pass and put a shot on goal, only to be stopped by Naeher making a diving deflection.

– CHICAGO RED STARS MATCH REPORT –

MATCH: Chicago Red Stars vs. Portland Thorns FC
DATE: June 16, 2018
VENUE: Toyota Park; Bridgeview, Illinois
KICKOFF: 7:00 p.m. CT
ATTENDANCE: 4,093
WEATHER: 91 degrees, sunny

Scoring Summary:      1          2          F
CHI                              1          0          1
POR                             0          1          1

CHI – Yuki Nagasato (penalty kick)                 43’
POR – Lindsey Horan                                      48’

Chicago Red Stars Lineup: 1-Alyssa Naeher; 14-Sarah Gorden (6-Casey Short, 65), 5-Katie Naughton, 3-Arin Gilliland; 2-Nikki Stanton, 24-Danielle Colaprico, 8-Julie Ertz (capt.), 15-Michele Vasconcelos (10-Vanessa DiBernardo, 79), 12-Yuki Nagasato; 4-Alyssa Mautz, 20-Sam Kerr
Substitutes: 19-Summer Green, 21-Emily Boyd
Head Coach: Rory Dames

Portland Thorns FC Lineup: 33-Britt Eckerstrom; 2-Katherine Reynolds, 4-Emily Menges, 25-Meghan Klingenberg, 20-Kelli Hubly (34-Tyler Lussi, 46), 15-Ellie Carpenter; 12-Lindsey Horan, 12-Christine Sinclair (capt.), 8-Andressinha (30-Celeste Bourielle, 60); 26-Mallory Weber (21-Hayley Raso, 76), 7-Ana Marie Crnogorcevic
Substitutes: 16-Emily Sonnett, 22-Ifeoma Onumonu, 31-Bella Guist, 36-Angela Salem
Head Coach: Mark Parsons

Stats Summary: CHI / POR
Shots: 19/11
Shots on Goal: 7/4
Saves: 3/6
Corner Kicks: 6/3
Fouls: 13/9
Offside: 3/1

Misconduct Summary:
POR – Kelli Hubly (caution)                             42’
POR – Lindsey Horan (caution)                       54’
CHI – Nikki Stanton (caution)                         62’

Officials:
Referee: Danielle Chesky
Asst. Referee: Ian McKay, Gjovalin Bori
4th Official: Rebecca Pagan