Press scores brace to earn seventh and eighth goals

CHICAGO – The Red Stars grabbed the 2-1 win against the Orlando Pride in their first game back at Toyota Park to remain undefeated at home in 2017. Captain Christen Press scored her first brace of the season totaling eight goals, with Sofia Huerta taking an assist.

Despite Chicago having only 40% of ball possession, the first 45 minutes were controlled by the Red Stars after several chances were created. In the first ten minutes, Vanessa DiBernardo tested Orlando goalkeeper with a strike from the top of the box, skimming just wide of a diving Aubrey Bledsoe. Defender Arin Gilliland was able to get past Pride captain Ali Krieger to take the ball up the sideline and cross it into the box to a diving Sofia Huerta, who came just short after Bledsoe got her hands on it.

The Red Stars captain shined in the first half, creating multiple chances from the top of the box. In the 21st minute, forward Jen Hoy found Press running toward the box and sent a floating ball to meet her at the top of the box. With no defenders able to catch up, Bledsoe came off her line to meet Press at the ball, but the captain was able to get a foot on it, only to be deflected by the Pride goalkeeper.

Chicago found their opening goal in the 29th minute, as Huerta placed a perfect ball just over the head of the last Pride defender, where Press collected and went straight into the attack. Bledsoe came off her line to defend, but Press took a touch around her and slotted it into the open net to give the Red Stars the early 1-0 lead.

Orlando turned the tables as Krieger managed to send the ball across the field into the box, where Alex Morgan was able to head it toward goal. Chicago goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher read the ball well and deflected the header out for a corner kick. Just before halftime, Naeher was called upon again as a short pass out of the box fell to the feet of Morgan. Naeher came off her line to deflect any chance Morgan had on goal. Chicago entered halftime with the lone goal, 1-0.

In the second half, Red Stars continued their high pressure, paying off in the 52nd minute to up their lead. Hoy crossed the ball from the sideline, leading Press into the box. The Red Stars captain split two defenders, collecting the ball and slotting it past a diving Bledsoe, upping the score, 2-0.

In the second half during stoppage time, Orlando was able to get one back as midfielder Alanna Kennedy struck one past Naeher. The late goal wasn’t enough though, as Chicago would slide by with a 2-1 victory.

In the final minutes of the match, Chicago midfielder Alyssa Mautz entered the game, earning her 100th appearance for the Red Stars, first player to achieve this feat in club history.

Watch the Red Stars take on the Orlando Pride for the final matchup of their three-game series this season on August 5, at 6:30 p.m. CT at Orlando City Stadium.

– CHICAGO RED STARS MATCH REPORT –

MATCH: Chicago Red Stars vs. Orlando Pride
DATE: July 22, 2017
VENUE: Toyota Park; Bridgeview, Illinois
KICKOFF: 2:50 p.m. CT
ATTENDANCE: 4,742
WEATHER: 84 degrees, cloudy

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

CHI – Christen Press (Sofia Huerta)                        29’
CHI – Christen Press                                                    52’
ORL – Alanna Kennedy                                               90+4’

Chicago Red Stars Lineup: 1-Alyssa Naeher; 3-Arin Gilliland, 6-Casey Short, 5-Katie Naughton, 7-Taylor Comeau; 24-Danielle Colaprico (8-Julie Ertz, 46), 30-Lauren Kaskie (13-Morgan Proffitt, 85), 11-Sofia Huerta, 10-Vanessa DiBernardo; 2-Jen Hoy (4-Alyssa Mautz, 89), 23-Christen Press (capt.)
Substitutes: 9-Stephanie McCaffrey, 14-Sarah Gorden, 18-Michele Dalton, 19-Summer Green
Head Coach: Rory Dames

Orlando Pride Lineup: 19-Aubrey Bledsoe; 7-Steph Cately, 11-Ali Krieger (capt.), 3-Toni Pressley, 9-Camila; 10-Marta, 14-Alanna Kennedy, 17-Dani Weatherholt (15-Rachel Hill, 79); 13-Alex Morgan, 23-Jasmyne Spencer (12-Kristen Edmonds, 46), 6-Chioma Ubogagu (21-Monica, 79)
Substitutes: 4-Jamia Fields, 18-Maddy Evans, 20-Nickolette Driesse, 40-Caroline Stanley
Head Coach: Tom Sermanni

Stats Summary: CHI / ORL
Shots: 9/15
Shots on Goal: 5/4
Saves: 3/3
Corner Kicks: 2/7
Fouls: 3/10
Offside: 1/1

Misconduct Summary
ORL – Marta (caution)                                                76’

Officials:
Referee: Farhad Dadkho
Asst. Referees: Rachel Smith, Art Arustamyan
4th Official: Lukasz Szpala