Match Info:
Chicago Red Stars vs. Utah Royals FC
Saturday, June 23, 2018; 7 p.m. CT
Toyota Park; Bridgeview, Illinois
BROADCAST: go90 app, NWSL app

CHICAGO – The Chicago Red Stars will welcome Utah Royals FC at Toyota Park for the first time this season, kicking off on Saturday, June 23, at 7 p.m. CT. The match will be broadcast on the go90 app and the NWSL app.

The Red Stars are coming off a bit of a high after a 1-1 draw against Portland at home last weekend. This was the first point Chicago has gotten against the Thorns since the same scoreline in the beginning of the 2016 season.

Goals on both sides of halftime, Chicago struck first minutes before the first half whistle. Forward Sam Kerr was taken down in the box, earning a penalty kick for the Red Stars. Yuki Nagasato stepped up for the kick, but was blocked by the goalkeeper guessing the correct way. Nagasato stuck with the play, rebounding the ball for an easily placed shot in the back of the net.

Minutes after the start of the second half, Lindsey Horan was able to place the ball over the head of Chicago goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher after a set piece ball into the box. The result still tied the two teams in points, dropping Portland and Chicago to fifth and sixth place, respectively.

Utah Royals FC saw its biggest win of the season as the newest club took down undefeated North Carolina in the final seconds of the match.

As the match was a scoreless much of the game, Brittany Ratcliffe was able to put a shot past Courage goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland in second-half stoppage time. This created the first loss for the front runners, while advancing Utah to playoff contention as the team sits in fourth place.

Chicago and Utah have played once this season, as the Red Stars found victory in the first half for a 1-0 win on the road. Danielle Colaprico placed a perfect volley in the upper 90 of the net for the go-ahead goal of the match.

Both teams will look a little different coming into this weekend, as the teams have swapped a player. Utah gained Chicago defender Sam Johnson for defender Brooke Elby, part of a three-team trade this past week. The Red Stars will also be without Sofia Huerta and Taylor Comeau, as both were traded to the Houston Dash. But this may be the first sight of U.S. Women’s National Team midfielder Morgan Brian, who recently rejoined Chicago after her stint in France.

The Red Stars will finish its three-home game stretch next weekend, Sunday, July 1, as Washington Spirit comes to town. Kick off will be 5 p.m. CT. The match will be the second annual Bark in the Park, and tickets are available here.

2018 Series History:
April 14: 1-0 W @ Utah (Colaprico 27’)