CHICAGO – The Red Stars suffered its fourth loss of the season after a 4-1 match against the current NWSL leaders, North Carolina Courage. Yuki Nagasato notched the Chicago goal in second half stoppage time.

Earning majority of the possession early on, Chicago was able to create multiple shots to put the pressure on North Carolina. Sam Kerr nearly had a goal given to her as a one-on-one opportunity turned into a ricochet off the cross bar.

But it was the Courage who took the lead in the 20^th minute as Crystal Dunn struck the ball from the top of the box to bounce past a diving Alyssa Naeher, being the only goal of the first half. Dunn now is tied with Portland’s Christine Sinclair to lead the league with seven goals.

In the second half, the Red Stars were unable to find any momentum forward, only seeing three more shots in the first 20 minutes.

North Carolina was able to extend their lead after Lynn Williams’ shot from the top of the box deflected in off the crossbar, while Debinha’s quick run into the box gave her the ability to chip it over a diving Naeher. The two goals in two minutes grew to a 3-0 Courage lead.

Not wanting to further the scoreline deficit, Naeher made a spectacular save from point-blank range off a Williams header.

Chicago nearly got on the board as a dangerous Danielle Colaprico cross found Kerr in the box for an easy tap in, but was called offsides.

To finish the match, North Carolina furthered its lead to 4-0 after Naeher came off her line and misjudged the clearance. Williams picked the ball up and skid it across the face of the goal, where substitute Kristen Hamilton placed it into the net.

Chicago was able to pull one back in stoppage time after a foul in the box led to Yuki Nagasato striking a low penalty kick to end the match 4-1.

The Red Stars will finish its third game in just six days by traveling to New Jersey to take on Sky Blue FC. The match will kick off on Saturday, July 7, at 6 p.m. CT, and will be broadcast on the NWSL app and the go90 app.

CHICAGO GOALS
Yuki Nagasato (90+2’) – In the final second of the match, a ball was lofted in the box, easily caught by goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland, but not before Abby Dahlkemper clipped Yuki Nagasato, bringing her to the ground. A penalty kick was awarded and Nagasato stepped up and slotted the ball into the back of the net for her second goal in two matches.

CHICAGO SAVES
Alyssa Naeher (71’) – After going down 3-0, Alyssa Naeher was called upon to not concede anymore goals. Denise O’Sullivan stretched the field, sending a lofted a ball into the box, connecting to the head of Lynn Williams, whose point-blank header was deflected by a diving Naeher.

CHICAGO RED STARS MATCH REPORT

MATCH: Chicago Red Stars vs. North Carolina Courage
DATE: Wednesday, July 4; 6:00 p.m. CT
VENUE: WakeMed Soccer Park; Cary, North Carolina
BROADCAST: NWSL app, go90 app
ATTENDANCE: 5,295
WEATHER: 82 degrees, partly cloudy

SCORING SUMMARY:   1        2          F
CHI                                0        1          1
NCC                               1        3          4

NCC – Crystal Dunn (Jessica McDonald)                     20’
NCC – Lynn Williams (Merritt Mathias)                     67’
NCC – Debinha (Sam Mewis)                                     69’
NCC – Kristen Hamilton (Lynn Williams)                   87’
CHI – Yuki Nagasato (penalty kick)                             90+2’

Chicago Red Stars Lineup: 1-Alyssa Naeher; 3-Arin Gilliland, 5-Katie Naughton, 14-Sarah Gorden, 23-Brooke Elby; 24-Danielle Colaprico, 8-Julie Ertz (capt.), 22-Rosie White (12-Yuki Nagasato, 60), 10-Vanessa DiBernardo, (19-Summer Green, 74) 13-Morgan Brian (2-Nikki Stanton, 68), 20-Sam Kerr
Substitutes: 4-Alyssa Mautz, 6-Casey Short, 15-Michele Vasconcelos, 21-Emily Boyd
Head coach: Rory Dames

North Carolina Courage Lineup: 0-Katelyn Rowland; 11-Merritt Mathias, 13-Abby Dahlkemper, 15-Jaelene Hinkle, 6-Abby Erceg (capt.), 10-Debinha (17-Heather O’Reilly, 75), 8-Denise O’Sullivan, 19-Crystal Dunn (5-Samantha Mewis, 68), 7-McCall Zerboni; 14-Jessica McDonald (23-Kristen Hamilton, 79), 9-Lynn Williams
Substitutes: 1-Sabrina D’Angelo, 21-Darian Jenkins, 25-Meredith Speck, 31-Kaleigh Kurz
Head coach: Paul Riley

STATS SUMMARY:
Shots: 15/21
Shots on Goal: 4/7
Saves: 3/3
Corners: 2/2
Fouls: 8/8
Offsides: 2/4

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
CHI – Julie Ertz (caution)                                             32’

OFFICIALS:
Referee: Matthew Franz
Assistant Referees: Dan Stupca, Joe Zawistowski
4^th Official: Gregory Brigman