Chicago, Il. – The Red Stars look to keep their playoff dreams alive in a massive Sunday match-up against Portland Thorns FC that will be broadcast live nationally on FOX Soccer at 6 p.m. CT. This marks Chicago’s second trip to Jeld-Wen Field this season and the final of four meetings between the teams.

Chicago enters the match in 5th place in the NWSL standings with a 6-7-4 record, good for 22 points and one spot short of the four coveted playoff positions. They are ending a West coast trip that began with a heavy 4-1 loss in Seattle on Thursday. A bright spot of the match was that 4th round college draft pick, Jen Hoy, registered the lone goal for Chicago on the evening, the first of her professional career.

Portland is looking to regain the top spot, as they jostle with Sky Blue FC and FC Kansas City for first place in the league. The Thorns boast a 9-4-3 record (30 pts) and one of the most dynamic front-duos in the league with USWNT star Alex Morgan and Canadian stalwart Christine Sinclair.

The Thorns defeated the Red Stars in Chicago twice very early in the season, but the Red Stars bounced back and defeated the Thorns at Jeld-Wen in the teams’ last visit. Missing from that match were the USWNT and Canadian allocated players, who were on national team duty.

The Red Stars continue to be led by former USWNT player and team captain Lori Chalupny, who has 5 goals and 4 assists from her midfield position. She also leads the team in total minutes played this year, and has been the engine of the team’s offense.

“After a disappointing result against Seattle (Thursday), this game becomes even more important for our playoff hopes,” stated Chalupny from Jeld-Wen Field prior to team training Saturday. “The last time we were here the atmosphere was amazing and we had a good performance that we’d like to repeat.”

The Red Stars return home next Saturday, 6 p.m. CT, for a rematch with Seattle Reign FC. Tickets available now at chicagoredstars.com.