Red Stars routes Sky Blue FC 5-0 in home finale

CHICAGO – The Red Stars ended its 2018 home series with a 5-0 victory against Sky Blue FC.

Alyssa Mautz notched her fourth and fifth goals of the season, Sam Kerr continued leading the Golden Boot race with her 15^th goal, while Rosie White and Michele Vasconcelos added their first goals for Chicago.

Fifteen minutes into the first half, Chicago controlled much of the possession, getting two shots off while Sky Blue couldn’t get out of their defensive half. Sam Kerr nearly tallied as her shot skidded just wide of the far post.

Just minutes after, Arin Gilliland spread the ball wide, driving toward the end line and crossing it into the box, where Mautz was able to head the ball into the goal for the first tally of the night.

Despite Sky Blue gaining more touches closer to the end of the half, Chicago led the 1-0 scoreline into halftime. The Red Stars outshot New Jersey (8-3), while tacking on two shots on goal.

Repeating the first half, the Red Stars upped the lead seconds into the second half after Gilliland’s cross found Mautz for the second time in the match, making it 2-0.

The floodgates opened for Chicago as defender Brooke Elby found Kerr in the box to add another goal in the 64^th minute of the match.

Just seconds onto the field as a substitute, midfielder Rosie White notched the fourth goal of the match and her first goal with Chicago as both Gilliland and Kerr were rewarded with the assist.

Just when the Red Stars were about to walk away with a 4-0 victory, substitute Michele Vasconcelos notched her first goal in stoppage time, finishing the match 5-0.

Chicago will head to Utah to take on the Royals for both sides final match of the 2018 season. The match will be broadcast live on Saturday, September 8, at 2:30 p.m. CT on the NWSL app and NWSLsoccer.com.

CHICAGO GOALS:
Alyssa Mautz (18’) – Defender Arin Gilliland spread the ball wide of the 18-yard box, heading toward the end line. Crossing it into the box, Alyssa Mautz rose above the rest on the far post and headed it just under the crossbar and high enough out of the reach of goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan for the first goal of the match.

Alyssa Mautz (46’) – Seconds into the second half, Arin Gilliland once again stretched the ball wide and moved up toward the edge of the 18-yard box. Crossing it to the far post, a sliding Alyssa Mautz connected with the ball and struck it past a diving Kailen Sheridan to complete her brace.

Sam Kerr (64’) – Getting the ball well outside the 18-yard box, Brooke Elby took a touch past a Sky Blue player, creating space to lob the ball into the box. Finding the head of Sam Kerr, the struck ball grazed the tips of Kailen Sheridan and found its way into the goal.

Rosie White (80’) – Assisting on her third goal tonight, Arin Gilliland sprayed the ball into the 18-yard box, where both Sam Kerr and Rosie White awaited. Kerr chested the ball down away from defenders, giving it up for White to connect and strike it over the keeper and into the net for her first goal of the season.

Michele Vasconcelos (90+7’) – With seconds remaining in the match, Rosie White fought for the ball near half field, resulting in the ball being lobbed up the field. Rookie Michele Vasconcelos ran up on the ball and shot a wide open strike for her first goal for Chicago.

– CHICAGO RED STARS MATCH REPORT –

MATCH: Chicago Red Stars vs. Sky Blue FC
DATE: September 4, 2018
VENUE: Toyota Park; Bridgeview, IL
KICKOFF: 6:30 p.m. CT
ATTENDANCE: 2,974
WEATHER: 87 degrees, sunny

Scoring Summary:      1          2          F
CHI                              1          4          5
SBFC                            0          0          0

CHI – Alyssa Mautz (Arin Gilliland)                            18’
CHI – Alyssa Mautz (Arin Gilliland)                            46’
CHI – Sam Kerr (Brooke Elby)                                     64’
CHI – Rosie White (Sam Kerr/Arin Gilliland)              80’
CHI – Michele Vasconcelos                                         90+7’

Chicago Red Stars Lineup: 21-Emily Boyd; 23-Brooke Elby, 5-Katie Naughton, 14-Sarah Gorden, 3-Arin Gilliland; 24-Danielle Colaprico, 2-Nikki Stanton, 10-Vanessa DiBernardo (capt.) (15-Michele Vasconcelos, 74), 4-Alyssa Mautz; 12-Yuki Nagasato (22-Rosie White, 79), 20-Sam Kerr (25-Erin Yenney, 83)
Substitutes: 0-Ryann Torrero, 26-Joanna Boyles, 28-Zoey Goralski, 29-Chandra Eigenberger
Head Coach: Rory Dames

Sky Blue FC Lineup: 1-Kailen Sheridan; 8-Erica Skroski, 9-Amanda Frisbie, 7-Dominique Richardson, 22-Mandy Freeman (29-Amandine Pierre-Louis, 78); 11-Raquel Rodriguez, 16-Sarah Killion (capt.), 31-Christina Gibbons,  73-Madison Tiernan (7-Jen Hoy, 46), 2-McKenzie Meehan (15-Eliza Bona, 66), 6-Shea Groom
Substitutes: 13-Rebekah Stott, 18-Gabby Cvevas, 24-Nickolette Dreiesse, 27-Caroline Casey
Head Coach: Denise Reddy

Stats Summary: CHI / SBFC
Shots: 25/4
Shots on Goal: 11/1
Saves: 1/6
Corner Kicks: 5/0
Fouls: 9/6
Offside: 4/3

Misconduct Summary:
none

Officials:
Referee: Ismir Pekmic
Asst. Referee: Diego Blas, Trent Vanhaitsma
4th Official: Joshua Kelley