The Chicago Red Stars (7-9-2, 23 pts) return home to host the Orlando Pride (13-0-5, 44 pts) in the Welcome Home Match, presented by United Airlines. Fans, family and government officials at SeatGeek Stadium will celebrate Olympic gold medalists Alyssa Naeher and Mallory Swanson; welcome new Red Stars, Olympian Julia Grosso and Olympic silver medalist Ludmila; and recognize the achievements of multiple Illinois Olympians.
With gates opening at 4 p.m. CT and the first 1,000 entrants receiving an exclusive Red Stars scarf, ticketed fans are encouraged to arrive early for exciting fan zone activities. Fun, live music and other giveaways will be available to fans before they participate in the prematch Olympic celebration. DePaul University students, staff, faculty and alumni can receive an exclusive Red Stars x Blue Demons hat when purchasing the DePaul Night ticket package here.
The Chicago Red Stars broke club and National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) records again tonight in the team’s Welcome Home Match, presented by United Airlines. A crowd of 7,291 marked the fifth-highest attendance in Red Stars history and helped the NWSL surpass 1.5 million regular-season match attendees for the first time in league history. The Red Stars honored Olympians Julia Grosso, Ludmila, Alyssa Naeher and Mallory Swanson before ultimately falling to the Orlando Pride, 0-1.
KEY MOMENTS:
19’ Mallory Swanson takes a free kick for the Red Stars in the attacking third. The ball finds Jenna Bike in the box on the side of the back post. Bike takes a touch to settle the ball, but the following shot goes wide of the net.
22’ Orlando send a cross, on the attack, to Barbara Banda that finds the attacker on the right side of the 18-yard box. Banda takes a few touches into the box before taking a quick shot that looks dangerous, but misses the target
37’ Off a free kick, Orlando’s Marta finds the ball after an initial denial by the Red Stars, takes a masterful touch before taking a shot that finds the back of the net, 0-1 Orlando
54’ Taylor Malham, deep into the attacking third, touches the ball to create some space, sending a cross into Orlando’s 18-yard box that floats past the entire backline and almost finds Jenna Bike in excellent position to score, but Bike miscalculates the trajectory, and the ball goes out for a goal kick
75’ Orlando run up the left side of the pitch, sending a cross into the box that finds the head of Barbara Banda. The header looks dangerously close to finding the net, but out of nowhere, Chicago’s Natalia Kuikka gets her head on it, clearing it over the crossbar and out of danger
GAME NOTES:
Next Game
Portland Thorns vs. Chicago Red Stars Friday, September 13, at 9:00 p.m. CT at Providence Park
Goals by Half
1 2 F
CHI 0 0 0
ORL 1 0 1
