CHICAGO – The Red Stars complete a four-game undefeated streak after a 2-0 victory against the Washington Spirit. Defender Casey Short notched her first goal of the season, while Yuki Nagasato notched a spectacular header for her third goal this year.

In just the first minute, Chicago saw an opportunity after Washington goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe was disposed for the ball by Michele Vasconcelos. Sam Kerr was able to track it down and shoot from close range, only to be blocked by the defensive unit of Washington.

In her rookie season, Vasconcelos nearly found her first-career goal minutes later, but was denied by the crossbar after her strike from outside the 18-yard box.

After a few shots on target, the Red Stars finally took the lead in the 34th minute. Danielle Colaprico sent a lofted corner kick into the box, finding the head of Short who put the ball past Bledsoe to give the Red Stars the lead and her first goal of the season.

The Red Stars ended the first half with a 1-0 lead.

Chicago extended its lead in the 60th minute as Kerr spread the ball out wide. Seeing players in the box, Kerr crossed toward the penalty spot, where Yuki Nagasato displayed a highlight-worthy diving header to hit the back of the net.

With multiple shots on frame, the Red Stars were unable to capitalize, but finished a 2-0 victory to settle into Playoff contention in fourth place.

The Red Stars have a short turnaround, hitting the road to face North Carolina Courage on Wednesday, July 4, at 6 p.m. CT. The match will be broadcast live on the NWSL app and go 90.

Chicago Goals:

Casey Short (34’) – In just her second start this season, Casey Short found her first goal this season, fourth overall. Setting up a corner kick, Danielle Colaprico lofted the ball to the corner of the 6-yard box, where Short rose above the rest and headed it past goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe for a 1-0 Chicago lead.

Yuki Nagasato (60’) – With her third goal this season, the Japanese international extended Chicago’s lead. With Sam Kerr stretching the field up the sideline, Yuki Nagasato made her way closer to the box. Kerr crossed the ball toward the penalty mark, finding a diving Nagasato to head the ball into the net.

– CHICAGO RED STARS MATCH REPORT –

MATCH: Chicago Red Stars vs. Washington Spirit
DATE: July 1, 2018
VENUE: Toyota Park; Bridgeview, Illinois
KICKOFF: 5:00 p.m. CT
ATTENDANCE: 2,858
WEATHER: 81 degrees, partly cloudy

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

CHI – Casey Short (Danielle Colaprico)                       34’
CHI – Yuki Nagasato (Sam Kerr)                                 60’

Chicago Red Stars Lineup: 1-Alyssa Naeher; 6-Casey Short (23-Brooke Elby, 67), 5-Katie Naughton, 3-Arin Gilliland; 2-Nikki Stanton (10-Vanessa DiBernardo, 58), 24-Danielle Colaprico, 8-Julie Ertz (capt.), 15-Michele Vasconcelos (13-Morgan Brian, 76), 4-Alyssa Mautz; 12-Yuki Nagasato, 20-Sam Kerr

Substitutes: 14-Sarah Gorden, 19-Summer Green, 21-Emily Boyd, 22-Rosie White

Head Coach: Rory Dames

Washington Spirit Lineup: 1-Aubrey Bledsoe; 3-Caprice Dydasco, 5-Whitney Church (88-Tiffany Weimer, 70), 7-Taylor Smith, 24-Estelle Johnson (capt.); 4-Rebecca Quinn, 6-Andi Sullivan (9-Havana Solaun, 90+3), 8-Meggie Dougherty Howard (15-Joanna Lohman, 78); 14-Francisca Ordega, 23-Tori Huster, 33-Ashley Hatch

Substitutes: 16-Rose Lavelle, 21-Didi Haracic, 22-Mallory Eubanks, 25-Maddie Huster

Head Coach: Jim Gabarra

Stats Summary: CHI / WAS

Shots: 17/15

Shots on Goal: 7/2

Saves: 2/5

Corner Kicks: 4/10

Fouls: 17/9

Offside: 2/3

Misconduct Summary:

WAS – Estelle Johnson (caution)                                24’

CHI – Alyssa Mautz (caution)                                      65’

WAS – Ashley Hatch (caution)                                    86’

Officials:

Referee: Sergii Demianchuk

Asst. Referee: Trent Vanhaitsma, Deleana Quan

4th Official: Calin Radosav