CHICAGO – Defender Casey Short scored a late-game header in the 85th minute as the Chicago Red Stars concluded the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup preliminary round with a 1-0 win against the Utah Royals FC on Sunday, July 12.

KEY MOMENTS

29’ – Arielle Ship had an open opportunity on goal for the one-touch finish towards the far post for Utah, but Alyssa Naeher dove to her right to make the save, keeping the game scoreless early on.

40+1’ – Morgan Gautrat looked to break the first-half deadlock with a stoppage-time goal but was met instantly by Utah’s Abby Smith who came off her line to prevent the goal.

65’ – Katie Johnson and Zoey Goralski initiate the build-up play in Utah’s attacking half to set up Casey Short, but her shot is handled by Smith who falls on top of it to secure the save.

85’ – Savannah McCaskill whips a cross that connects with Casey Short who heads the ball into the back of the net for the clutch game-winning goal.

GAME NOTES

• Savannah McCaskill played 89 minutes in the match, her 36 passes were tied for the team-high and tallied an assist, the fourth in NWSL play for the forward.
• Vanessa DiBernardo joins McCaskill with a team-high 36 passes and finished second on the team with 54 total touches.
• In the week leading up to the game, Sarah Gorden announced across her social channels that for every pass she would donate $5 to Get Yo Mind Right Chi as part of the #PassItOnCRS Challenge. With 31 passes, Gorden will be donating $155 to the mental health initiative.
• Casey Short’s Woman of the Match performance saw her impact the game on both sides of the field. In addition to her game-winning goal in the 85th minute, she added 3 interceptions, 12 possessions gained, a block, and a tackle on the defensive end.

NEXT GAME

The Chicago Red Stars will take on an opponent to be named later in the quarterfinal round of the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup. The game will be played on Friday, July 17 or Saturday, July 18. Time is TBD.

Utah Royals FC vs Chicago Red Stars
July 12, 2020
Zions Bank Stadium (Herriman, UT)

Goals by Half                        1 2 F

Utah Royals FC                     0 0 0

Chicago Red Stars                0 1 1

Scoring Summary

CHI: Casey Short 85’ (Savannah McCaskill)

LINEUPS

CHI: GK Naeher, D Gorden, D Ertz, D Davidson (Goralski 32’), D Short, M Colaprico, M Gautrat (Johnson 45’), M DiBernardo, F McCaskill (Doniak 88’), F, Hill, F Watt (Vasconcelos 82’)

UT: GK Smith, D Corsie, D Jonsdottir, D Leach (Ball 26’), D Bowen (O’Hara 70’), M Lytle (King 70’), M Diallo, M Nolf (Labonta 57’), F Weber, F Ship, F Ratcliffe (Boquette 45’)