CHICAGO – The Chicago Red Stars lost to the Portland Thorns 1-0 in their first preseason match in the Thorns Spring Invitational.

Portland saw the first bit of action in the fifth minute of the match off a free kick 35-yards out. Mana Shim curled the ball into the six-yard box, where Chicago goalkeeper Michele Dalton was able to stop the ball with ease to stop the Thorns attack.

In the ninth minute, Chicago saw their first opportunity when Arin Gilliland sprinted down the right flank and crossed a ball toward the top of the box. Deflecting off Thorns defender Emily Sonnett, the ball landed perfectly in front of Courtney Raetzman, who sent a rocket toward goal to only be skimmed off the crossbar.

Minutes later, Vanessa DiBernardo hit a set piece perfectly on frame from 30 yards out, but Portland’s goalkeeper Adrianna Franch made a diving save to keep Chicago off the board.

In the 26^th minute, Portland was awarded a penalty kick. Nadia Nadim stepped up and converted the shot to put Portland ahead in the match 1-0.

Chicago nearly found the equalizer before halftime after Casey Short crossed it perfectly to the far post. Alyssa Mautz soared over Portland defender Megan Klingenberg to connect her head with the ball, sending it just over the crossbar.

In the second half, Chicago found an opportunity when they were awarded a free kick at the top of the box after a foul. Second half sub Morgan Proffitt struck the ball, deflecting off the Portland defensive wall.

Moments later, Thorns nearly doubled their score after captain Christine Sinclair skipped a ball into the six-yard box, but Dalton was there to grab it out of danger.

The last ten minutes Chicago applied pressure to Portland and nearly grabbed a goal when Mary Luba found herself wide open at the top of the 18, but struck the ball just wide of the net. With minutes remaining, Chicago gave it their all as Taylor Comeau moved the ball forward to the attacking third. Luba received the ball and struck it on frame, only to be pushed over the crossbar by Franch.

Four Chicago rookies saw their first minutes of professional play when Summer Green, Lauren Kaskie, Simone Kolander and Proffitt were subbed onto the pitch in the second half.

Chicago will face Houston on Wednesday, March 29 at 7 p.m. CT.

– CHICAGO RED STARS MATCH REPORT –

MATCH: Chicago Red Stars vs. Portland Thorns FC – Thorns Spring Invitational, presented by Tillamook
DATE: March 26, 2017
VENUE: Providence Park; Portland, OR
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. CT
ATTENDANCE: 6,802
WEATHER: 48 degrees, rain

Scoring Summary:      1          2          F
CHI                               0          0          0
POR                             1          0          1
POR – Nadia Nadim (penalty kick)                 26th minute

Chicago Red Stars Lineup: 18-Dalton; 3-Gilliland, 5-Naughton, 14-Gorden, 6-Short (7-Comeau, 45); 4-Mautz, 10-DiBernardo (34-Luba, 45), 24-Colaprico (13-Proffitt, 45), 15-Raetzman (30-Kaskie, 60); 9-McCaffrey (19-Green, 60) 12-Walls (25-Kolander, 60)
Substitutes: 2-Hoy, 16-Johnson, 29-Ratcliffe
Head Coach: Rory Dames
Portland Thorns FC Lineup: 24-Franch; 30-Boureille (8-Cox, 75), 16-Sonnett, 4-Menges, 25-Klingenberg (15-Johnson, 58); 10-Long, 6-Shim (19-Herndon, 67), 28-Henry, 9-Nadim ((21-Raso, 38) (20-Flynn-75)), 12-Sinclair, 26-Weber (27-Hubly, 75)
Substitutes: 2-Reynolds, 11-Brynjarsdottir, 44-Morris
Head Coach: Mark Parsons

Stats Summary: CHI / POR
Shots: 15 / 7
Shots on Goal: 5 / 4
Saves: 3 / 5
Corner Kicks: 6 / 4
Fouls: 7 / 10
Offside: 2 / 2

Officials:
Referee: Farhad Dadkho
Asst. Referee: Brandon Harris, Connor Hazelwood