CHICAGO – The Red Stars earned their first victory of the new season after a 1-0 win against newcomers Utah Royals FC in front of 19,203 fans at Rio Tinto Stadium. Danielle Colaprico scored the game-winning goal in the 27^th minute.

Trading possession back and forth, the Red Stars found their first bit of action in the first 10 minutes as this year’s leading goal scorer Alyssa Mautz struck a ball toward goal, narrowly sailing it over the crossbar. Nearly 10 minutes later, off a free kick from Danielle Colaprico, Katie Naughton rose above the rest and headed the ball, sending it just left of the far post.

Chicago just about got on the board halfway through the first half. In her first match this season, Yuki Nagasato received a through ball at the top of the box and struck it past Utah goalkeeper Abby Smith. Unfortunately, the ball bounced off the far goal post and was cleared.

Off the counter, Utah charged down the field as Gunnhilder Jonsdottir controlled the ball, making her way into the box. Chicago defender Sam Johnson was able to zero in on her, dispossessing with a sliding save.

But the Red Stars took the lead in the 27^th minute as Colaprico’s volley made the first-half difference.

Just minutes into the second 90 minutes, Chicago nearly earned another goal off a Colaprico corner kick. Headed on by Huerta, Nagasato attempted to redirect the ball toward the net but was eventually saved on the goal line.

Later in the match, Alyssa Naeher was called upon as Jonsdottir found her way into the box, and during a one-on-one situation, Naeher came off her lines for the save.

The Red Stars turn right around and host a mid-week match on Wednesday, April 18, against Houston Dash. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast live on the NWSL app and go90 app.

MAJOR SHOTS:
CHI – Alyssa Mautz (7^’) – In the first opportunity, Sofia Huerta came up with the ball through some chaos at the top of the box. Spraying it out wide, Alyssa Mautz tapped it forward and struck the ball, narrowly missing the crossbar.

CHI – Yuki Nagasato (22’) – Pushing down the field, Danielle Colaprico threaded the ball forward to Yuki Nagasato. Taking a touch to switch directions, Nagasato turned her defender, striking the ball past a diving Abby Smith. The ball ricocheted off the far post, bouncing back into play but was eventually cleared.

CHI – Danielle Colaprico (27’) – Out wide, Alyssa Mautz sent the ball into the box, only the be headed a few feet by Utah. After the poor clearance, Danielle Colaprico picked up the ball from just outside the 18-yard box, chesting it down and struck her own volley just over the head of Abby Smith for the only goal of the game.

MAJOR SAVES:
CHI – Sam Johnson (22’) – Reciving a lobbed ball behind the Red Stars backline, Gunnhildur Jonsdottir dribbled inside the box. Bringing the speed, Sam Johnson quickly zoned in on the ball, making a sliding save to clear the danger.

CHI – Alyssa Naeher (56’) – Utah’s Dianna Matheson threads the ball past the Chicago backline. Meeting the ball inside the box, Gunnhildur Jonsdottir controlled and created a 1v1 situation with Alyssa Naeher. But coming off her line, Naeher was able to make a sliding save.

– CHICAGO RED STARS MATCH REPORT –

MATCH: Chicago Red Stars vs. Utah Royals FC
DATE: April 14, 2018
VENUE: Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah
KICKOFF: 2:30 p.m. CT
ATTENDANCE: 19,203
WEATHER: 49 degrees, cloudy

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

CHI – Danielle Colaprico                                  27’

Chicago Red Stars Lineup: 1-Alyssa Naeher (capt.); 16-Samantha Johnson, 5-Katie Naughton, 3-Arin Gilliland, 7-Taylor Comeau; 11-Sofia Huerta, 2-Nikki Stanton, 24-Danielle Colaprico; 15-Michele Vasconcelos, 12-Yuki Nagasato (9-Stephanie McCaffrey, 90+1), 4-Alyssa Mautz (19-Summer Green, 80)
Substitutes: 13-Lauren Kaskie, 14-Sarah Gorden, 21-Emily Boyd, 25-Erin Yenney
Head Coach: Rory Dames

Utah Royals FC Lineup: 1-Abby Smith; 5-Kelley O’Hara (17-Sydney Miramontez, 46), 2-Rachel Corsie, 4-Becky Sauerbrunn, 13-Brooke Elby; 11-Desiree Scott, 23-Gunnhildur Jonsdottir, 6-Katie Bowen; 10-Diana Matheson (8-Amy Rodriguez, 77), 20-Elise Thorsnes, 9-Lo’eau Labonta (15-Erika Tymrak, 62)
Substitutes: 12-Taylor Lytle, 18-Nicole Barnhart, 24-Katie Stengel, 25-Brittany Ratcliffe
Head Coach: Laura Harvey

Stats Summary: CHI / UTA
Shots: 10/13
Shots on Goal: 2/1
Saves: 1/1
Corner Kicks: 4/3
Fouls: 10/7
Offside: 1/6

Misconduct Summary:
none

Officials:
Referee: Karen Abt
Asst. Referee: Deleana Quan, John Krill
4th Official: Kali Smith