Newcomer McCaffrey earns game-winning goal

CHICAGO – The Battle of the Midwest was just that as the Chicago Red Stars battled to a 1-0 victory against the reigning National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Champions FC Kansas City, furthering their undefeated streak to three games.

Chicago goalkeeper Michele Dalton saw FCKC’s attacking force early in the 11th minute as forward Tiffany McCarty received a perfect through ball down the middle of the field. After taking one touch, McCarty struck the ball toward goal where Dalton was able to parry the ball out for a corner kick. FCKC’s corner kick bounced to the waiting forward Frances Silva, who struck the ball straight into the hands of Dalton.

The Red Stars were able to take control near the end of the first half with several connections between forward Sofia Huerta and captain Vanessa DiBernardo, nearly earning the first goal of the game in the 34th minute as Huerta tapped the ball to DiBernardo, who sent it just wide of the diving FCKC goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart.

Chicago nearly saw the back of the net in the final seconds of the first half when defender Casey Short skillfully evaded a Kansas City defender to make her way into the box. Her lofted ball made contact with the head of forward Cara Walls to send it over the crossbar, finishing the first half in a scoreless tie.

The second half started out favorable for Chicago with multiple chances coming minutes apart. DiBernardo was given two chances to tally, only to have Barnhart ready for the saves. But it was in the 53rd minute that the Red Stars were able to take the lead as the newest Red Star player Stephanie McCaffrey rebounded a deflection from Huerta’s close-range shot to tap it into the net, earning her first goal for Chicago and first goal in the 2016 NWSL season.

Catch the Red Stars back in action when they take on Sky Blue FC at Yurcak Field in New Jersey on Saturday, August 27 at 7 p.m. ET.

– Chicago Red Stars Match Report –

Match: Chicago Red Stars vs. FC Kansas City
Date: July 30, 2016
Venue: Toyota Park; Chicago, Illinois
Kickoff: 7 p.m. CT
Attendance: 2,550
Weather: 75 degrees

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

CHI – Stephanie McCaffrey                             53rd minute

Lineups:
CHI: 18-Michele Dalton; 3-Arin Gilliland, 5-Katie Naughton, 16-Samantha Johnson, 6-Casey Short; 24-Danielle Colaprico, 10-Vanessa DiBernardo (capt.), 11-Sofia Huerta (4-Alyssa Mautz, 67); 7-Taylor Comeau (15-Courtney Raetzman, 90+2), 12-Cara Walls, 9-Stephanie McCaffrey (2-Jen Hoy, 75)
Subs not used: 14-Sarah Gorden, 33-Brianna Smallidge, 34-Mary Luba
Head Coach: Rory Dames

KC: 18-Nicole Barnhart (capt.); 24-Molly Menschel (16-Tiffany Weimer, 84), 10-Yael Averbuch, 13-Brittany Taylor, 22-Brianna Reed, 1-Lo’eau LaBonta, 7-Mandy Laddish, 11-Frances Silva, 15-Erika Tymrak, 20-Tiffany McCarty (23-Caroline Kastor, 70), 2-Shea Groom
Subs not used: 19-Cat Parkhill, 88-Alexa Newfield
Head Coach: Vlatko Andonovski

Stats Summary: CHI / KC

Shots: 9 / 8

Shots on Goal: 5 / 1

Saves: 1 / 4

Corner Kicks: 9 / 3

Fouls: 5 / 8

Offside: 3 / 0

Misconduct Summary:
none

Officials:
Referee: Andrew Musashe
Assistant Referee 1: Artyom Arustamyan
Assistant Referee 2: Becky Pagan
4th Official: Edgar Osorio