CHICAGO – The Red Stars defeated the Orlando Pride in a 1-0 victory, the only scoreline that has ever separated these teams in three total matches with Chicago taking all three wins.

After an hour weather delay, the Red Stars had a slow start against Orlando as Marta, Maddy Evans and Alanna Kennedy continuously pressed into Chicago’s half. But Red Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher came up big with a diving save off a shot from Marta in the 31st minute to keep the Pride off the board.

Orlando continued to dominate ball possession through the first half. Marta led the chase as she sent multiple crosses into the box, only to be deflected away from the net.

Chicago regained possession as the half closed out. Christen Press launched a strike at Orlando keeper Aubrey Bledsoe, but it bounced over the crossbar minutes before halftime. The Red Stars headed to the locker room as the score stood at 0-0.

Red Stars defender Sarah Gorden had a strong first NWSL start as she went head-to-head against Marta several times in the box, pushing Marta out of bounds on each challenge.

The second half began similar to the first as the Pride did not hesitate to press high. However, Chicago came back fighting as Press slid into a cross from Sofia Huerta, but the ball went wide of the net.

The game’s intensity continued late into the half, as Casey Short entered the match, drawing a foul in the box a minute later. Press stepped up to the spot, shooting left as Bledsoe fell right, putting Chicago on the board.

With seconds left in the match, an Orlando corner kick landed just above the six-yard box, where a Pride player struck the ball directly toward goal. Bouncing toward the far post, Danielle Colaprico made a goal line save by heading the ball away. The clearance only got as far as defender Ali Krieger at the top of the box, who struck the ball, hitting the crossbar for Orlando’s final attempt of the match.

Despite the 2017 NWSL debut of Alex Morgan, Orlando wasn’t able to capitalize at home, as the Red Stars hung on to the 1-0 win.

Watch Chicago in their third-straight road match when they play the Boston Breakers on Friday July 7, at 6 p.m. CT.

– CHICAGO RED STARS MATCH REPORT –

MATCH: Chicago Red Stars vs. Orlando Pride
DATE: July 1, 2017
VENUE: Orlando City Stadium; Orlando, Florida
KICKOFF: 4 p.m. CT
ATTENDANCE: 5,476
WEATHER: 85 degrees, mostly cloudy

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

CHI – Christen Press (Penalty Kick)                             68’

Chicago Red Stars Lineup: 1-Alyssa Naeher; 14-Sarah Gorden (6-Casey Short, 66), 16-Samantha Johnson, 5-Katie Naughton, 7-Taylor Comeau; 24-Danielle Colaprico, 8-Julie Ertz, 4-Alyssa Mautz (3-Arin Gilliland, 89), 10-Vanessa DiBernardo (13-Morgan Proffitt, 86), 23-Christen Press (capt.), 11-Sofia Huerta
Substitutes: 2-Jen Hoy, 9-Stephanie McCaffrey, 18-Michele Dalton, 30-Lauren Kaskie
Head Coach: Rory Dames

Orlando Pride Lineup: 19-Aubrey Bledsoe; 7-Steph Cately, 3-Toni Pressley, 11-Ali Krieger (capt.), 12-Kristen Edmonds; 14-Alanna Kennedy, 21-Monica, 18-Maddy Evans (9-Camila, 56); 23-Jasmyne Spencer (6-Chioma Ubogagu,79), 10-Marta, 15-Rachel Hill (13-Alex Morgan, 65)
Substitutes: 4-Jamia Fields, 17-Dani Weatherholt, 20-Nickolette Driesse, 40-Caroline Stanley
Head Coach: Tom Sermanni 

Stats Summary: CHI / ORL
Shots: 16/20
Shots on Goal: 6/5
Saves: 4/5
Corner Kicks: 2/9
Fouls: 7/6
Offside: 6/0

Misconduct Summary
ORL – Ali Krieger (caution)                                         52’

Officials:
Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr.
Asst. Referees: Brooke Mayo, Natalie Simon
4th Official: Francesco Terranova