CHICAGO – The Chicago Red Stars held the U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team to a scoreless draw in the final match of the Thorns Spring Invitational, presented by Tillamook.

The U-23’s started the attack as captain Savannah McCaskill took a run at goal but would be denied by the defensive unit of Chicago. Moments later, the U.S. would put more pressure on the backline when Briana Pinto crossed the ball for Mallory Eubanks, but she was unable to get a shot off.

Chicago turned the tables immediately and began to put the pressure on the U-23’s. Red Stars midfielder Alyssa Mautz skillfully fed several balls up to the front line, only to be denied any further action.

The first real opportunity came just before the first half ended when Chicago captain Vanessa DiBernardo hit a through ball to forward Stephanie McCaffrey, who’s strong shot went right to the hands of U-23 goalkeeper Bella Geist, ending the first half in a scoreless draw.

The next opportunity would not come until the 69th minute, as second half sub Simone Kolander took a shot from outside the 18-yard box, but the ball went off the crossbar.

With minutes remaining in the match, U-23 forwards Ashley Sanchez and McCaskill kept the pressure on Chicago, but were unable to produce anything from their attack, leaving the game with a final score of 0-0.

Chicago finishes the tournament with an overall record of 1-1-1.

Chicago will finish their preseason playing University of Notre Dame on Thursday, April 6 at 4 p.m. CT at Alumni Stadium in South Bend, IN.

– Chicago Red Stars Match Report –

MATCH: Chicago Red Stars vs. U.S. U-23 WNT – Thorns Spring Invitational, presented by Tillamook
DATE: April 1, 2017
VENUE: Providence Park; Portland, OR
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. CT
ATTENDANCE: n/a
WEATHER: 58 degrees, cloudy

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

Chicago Red Stars Lineup: 18-Dalton; 3-Gilliland, 16-Johnson, 14-Gorden, 7-Comeau; 13-Proffitt (34-Luba, 45), 24-Colaprico, 10-DiBernardo (capt.), 4-Mautz (29-Ratcliffe, 45); 12-Walls (25-Kolander, 45), 9-McCaffrey (19-Green, 75)
Substitutes: 2-Hoy, 5-Naughton, 11-Huerta, 15-Raetzman, 30-Kaskie
Head Coach: Rory Dames

U.S. U-23 WNT Lineup: 22-Geist (1-Murphy, 65); 14-Cook, 3-Riehl, 13-Seiler, Warner; 7-Davidson, 10-Pinto, 16-Yu, 11-Eubanks, 9-Sanchez, 24-McCaskill (capt.)
Substitutes: 2-Isom, 4-Jean, 5-Racioppi, 8-DiBiasi, 14-Cook, 15-Xiao, 17-McGrady, 18-Charley, 21-Warner
Head Coach: B.J. Snow

Stats Summary: CHI / USA
Shots: 9 / 9
Shots on Goal: 2 / 1
Saves: 1 / 2
Corner Kicks: 7 / 4
Fouls: 12 / 4
Offside: 4 / 2

Officials:
Referee: Levi Rippy
Asst. Referee: Brandon Harris, Connor Hazelwood