CHICAGO – The Red Stars finished their final match in the Thorns Spring invitational with a 1-0 loss to the U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team.

Chicago found early threats, as forward Stephanie McCaffrey found Sofia Huerta open, but with a one touch shot, Huerta’s ball sailed over the crossbar. Minutes later, Taylor Comeau was able to get a shot on goal, only to be saved by the goalkeeper. Forward Summer Green got in on the action, taking a shot toward net that deflected out for a corner kick after a save from the goalkeeper.

On the other end of the field, Alyssa Naeher and her back line were tested. The U-23’s turned the tables, adding pressure of their own, as Catalina Macario earned a shot, but Naeher coming in clutch to make the save.

Minutes after the save, a penalty kick was given to the U-23’s after Danielle Colaprico was nabbed for the fou inside the boxl. Macario stepped up and tallied for the only goal of the match in the 32^nd minute.

With the second half unfolding, subs Sarah Gorden and Lauren Kaskie connected that resulted in a header from Kaskie, but grazed off the fingertips of the goalkeeper for a corner kick.

With the game coming to a close, Sam Kerr was able to bring a spark of action, heading the ball off a corner kick, but unfortunately it went wide of the post, being the last true effort for Chicago to equalize.

After opening the season on the road in Houston on March 25, the Red Stars will kick off at home on Saturday, March 31, against the Portland Thorns. The match will take place following the MLS-side Chicago Fire and Portland Timbers game, as part of a doubleheader event at Toyota Park. Tickets are available here.

Red Stars Starting XI (substitutes):
GK – Alyssa Naeher
D – Taylor Comeau
D – Sam Johnson (Lauren Kaskie, 46)
D – Katie Naughton
D – Megan Buckingham (Sarah Gorden, 38)
M- Danielle Colaprico
M – Arin Gilliland
M – Sofia Huerta
M – Michele Vasconcelos (Alyssa Mautz, 75)
F – Stephanie McCaffrey (Sam Kerr, 64)
F – Summer Green (Nikki Stanton, 80)