CHICAGO – The Red Stars were defeated 2-1 at Utah Royals FC, finishing the regular season 9-5-10 with 37 points. Sam Kerr notched her 16^th goal of the season.

The match began with shots from the Chicago side, while Utah equally countered with their fair chance of opportunities. But it was the Red Stars that took advantage and got on the board early.

With her third assist of the week, defender Arin Gilliland lobbed the ball into the box, where a soaring Kerr notched the header past a diving Utah goalkeeper.

The 39^th minute goal became the difference heading into halftime, as Chicago tallied six shots on goal to Utah’s four.

Just 10 minutes into the second half, Utah found the equalizer as Amy Rodriguez’s strike bounced off the near post, ricocheting to the inside netting to draw the match, 1-1.

Minutes later, Utah Royals took the lead after substitute Taylor Lytle sent the ball in the box for Katie Stengel to head it in for a 2-1 scoreline.

Five minutes of stoppage time wasn’t enough to get the equalizer for the Red Stars, falling in their first match since July 4^th.

In a repeat of last year’s Playoffs, Chicago will head to North Carolina for their fourth-consecutive NWSL Semifinal match on Sunday, September 16. The match will kick off at 2:00 p.m. CT and will be broadcast live on ESPN2.

CHICAGO GOALS:
Sam Kerr (39’) – As Michele Vasconcelos held up the ball, turning defenders at the top of the box, Arin Gilliland made a run just outside toward the end line. Receiving the ball from Vasconcelos, the defender took one touch and lobbed it into the box, where Sam Kerr hung in the air to head it past goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart.

CHICAGO SAVES:
Alyssa Naeher (59’) – With Utah getting further up the field, forward Katie Stengel found her way inside the box with the ball, taking a close-range strike toward goal. Timing her jump correctly, goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher dove to just get her hands on the ball, parrying it away from danger. 

– CHICAGO RED STARS MATCH REPORT –

MATCH: Chicago Red Stars vs. Utah Royals FC
DATE: September 8, 2018
VENUE: Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah
KICKOFF: 2:30 p.m. CT
ATTENDANCE: TBA
WEATHER: 83 degrees, sunny

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

CHI – Sam Kerr (Arin Gilliland)                                   39’
UTA – Amy Rodriguez (Katie Bowen)                         55’
UTA – Katie Stengel (Taylor Lytle)                              64’

Chicago Red Stars Lineup: 1-Alyssa Naeher (capt.); 3-Arin Gilliland, 5-Katie Naughton, 14-Sarah Gorden, 23-Brooke Elby (13-Morgan Brian, 67); 2-Nikki Stanton (24-Danielle Colaprico, 75), 22-Rosie White (19-Summer Green, 75), 15-Michele Vasconcelos, 4-Alyssa Mautz; 12-Yuki Nagasato, 20-Sam Kerr
Substitutes: 8-Julie Ertz, 21-Emily Boyd, 25-Erin Yenney
Head Coach: Rory Dames

Utah Royals FC Lineup: 18-Nicole Barnhart; 3-Becca Moros, 4-Becky Sauerbrunn (capt.), 2-Rachel Corsie, 6-Katie Bowen; 11-Desiree Scott, 24-Katie Stengel, 23-Gunnhildur Jonsdottir; 5-Kelley O’hara (12-Taylor Lytle, 46), 21-Christen Press (15-Erika Tymrak, 85), 8-Amy Rodriguez (9-Lo’eau LaBonta, 89)
Substitutes: 1-Abby Smith, 10-Diana Matheson, 16-Samantha Johnson, 19-Katrina Gorry
Head Coach: Laura Harvey

Stats Summary: CHI / UTA
Shots: 14/18
Shots on Goal: 8/7
Saves: 5/7
Corner Kicks: 7/4
Fouls: 8/8
Offside: 4/1

Misconduct Summary:
CHI – Arin Gilliland (caution)                          17’
CHI – Nikki Stanton (caution)                         25’

Officials:
Referee: Rosendo Mendoza
Asst. Referee: Amilcar Sicaju, Gjovalin Bori
4th Official: Kali Smith