Sam Kerr brace puts the Red Stars top of the NWSL Standings

CHICAGO – Two Sam Kerr goals in four minutes were enough to give the Chicago Red Stars a victory over the Houston Dash. With the win, Chicago leaps over Houston for the top spot in the NWSL standings. Kerr’s brace puts her at six goals in as many games this season.

Captain Vanessa DiBernardo earned her 100th NWSL Cap tonight. Drafted by the Red Stars in the 2015 NWSL College Draft, she is the 25th player in league history to reach the milestone and only the 10th to do so playing for one club. With the assist on Kerr’s 2nd goal of the day, DiBernardo moved up to 4th all-time in the league with 20 career assists.

100 for @vdibernardo10

Tonight's match marks her 100th @NWSL appearance and she's represented her hometown the entire way.#MKOT pic.twitter.com/3lRR8KCAdU

— Chicago Red Stars (@chicagoredstars) May 19, 2019

Key Moments

8’ – Michele Vasconcelos slots a ball to Kerr, who times the run perfectly,  slices between two defenders and beats the goalkeeper for the opening goal.

Houston, we're a go for @samkerr1 to launch. pic.twitter.com/oaw4NnPrmz

— Chicago Red Stars (@chicagoredstars) May 19, 2019

12’ – Four minutes after the opening goal Kerr gets on the scoresheet for the second time. A give-and-go play between the Aussie and Vanessa DiBernardo frees up Kerr after a Dash defender fails at stopping Kerr with a slide tackle, leaving the NWSL all-time top scorer with a breakaway on goal, a chance she converts to put the Red Stars up 2-0.

https://twitter.com/chiredstarsPR/status/1130238382301491200

26’ – Sofia Huerta strikes with her left foot into the far post to add one to the board for the Dash.

38’ – The hosts nearly find the equalizer, but Boyd’s quick reflexes deny a point-blank opportunity for Houston and keep the Red Stars in the lead. Kealia Ohai is able to cross the ball to Huerta who is able to take a shot inches away from the goal, but Boyd sticks out her leg and blocks the shot.

https://twitter.com/chiredstarsPR/status/1130244641079660544

45+3’ Vasconcelos makes a great run to get to the ball just outside the 18-yard box. Campbell comes off her line and forces Vasconcelos to maneuver around the keeper. She fires a shot, but it’s pulled wide of the goal.

63’ Ohai attempts to get a shot off on goal, but great defense by Casey Short keeps her in check and the Chicago defender is able to poke the ball away to prevent a scoring opportunity.

81’ Chicago works the ball into the 18-yard box and the ball finds Vanessa DiBernardo after a couple of deflected shots. The captain shoots and the blocked shot nearly finds the back of the net after a deflection but it ends up wide of the goal.

Match Notes

• Vanessa DiBernardo earned her 100th NWSL appearance with tonight’s start. The Naperville, Illinois native was drafted by Chicago in the 2014 NWSL College Draft. DiBernardo started in 44 consecutive starts for the Red Stars between August 9, 2015, to August 5, 2017.
• Sam Kerr now leads the league in goals scored in 2019. The 2017 and 2018 NWSL Golden Boot winner has tallied six goals now, four in the last two matches. The Australian international will now report to Matildas camp in preparation for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, where she is representing her country for the third time at the prestigious tournament.
• Goalkeeper Emily Boyd earned her third consecutive start in tonight’s match. Boyd has now made nine saves through the three games and notched two wins.
• The Chicago Red Stars and Houston Dash will face each other three times this season. Sunday’s contest served as the first of three, with Houston hosting the next match at BBVA Compass Stadium on July 14.

Next Game

Chicago returns home to take on the Washington Spirit on Sunday, May 26 at SeatGeek Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 pm C.T.

Tickets

Houston Dash vs Chicago Red Stars

May 19, 2019

BBVA Compass Stadium (Houston, TX)

Goals by Half                         1  2  F

Houston Dash                       1  0  0

Chicago Red Stars                2  0  0

Scoring Summary:

CHI: Sam Kerr (8’) (asst. Michele Vasconcelos)

CHI:  Sam Kerr (12’) (asst. Vanessa DiBernardo)

HOU: Sofia Huerta (26’)  (unassisted)

Misconduct Summary:

CHI: Yellow Card: Stanton (49’)

Lineups:

HOU: GK Campbell, D Murray, D Brooks, D Polkinghorne, D Romero, M Hanson, M Nairn (Kizer 83’), M Mewis, F Ohai © (Fields 86’), F McCoy (Simon 54’), F Huerta

CHI: GK Boyd, D Short, D Naughton, D Gorden, D Wright, M Stanton (Johnson 59’), M Colaprico, M DiBernardo © (Elby 90+3’), F Vasconcelos (Sanchez 78’), F Nagasato, F Kerr

All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial.