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3
vs
1
SundayMay. 12
4:30pm CT
SeatGeek Stadium
Match 9
Regular Season
Preview
Recap
Chicago Red Stars logo
Chicago Red Stars
4-3-1
Previous Result
Chicago overcame an early deficit, securing a 1-2 triumph away against Bay FC
Utah Royals logo
Utah Royals
1-6-1
Previous Result
Utah were shutout on the road, 2-0, by San Diego
Match Preview

The Chicago Red Stars (4-3-1, 13 pts) return home to host struggling Utah Royals FC (1-6-1, 4 pts). Meeting for the second time this season, the Red Stars look to capture momentum from a 1-2 comeback win on the road against Bay FC, while the Royals search for their first victory since March 22.

With gates opening at 3:30 ahead of the 4:30 kickoff for the Bark in the Park match, Red Stars fans and their furry friends can look forward to fun activities, including a dog toy making station, and the first 1,000 to enter will receive a Red Stars collapsible water bowl for their pets. The Red Stars will also be celebrating Mother’s Day at the May 12 match, where fans can look forward to a Mother’s Day photo station. Fans bringing their pups can purchase the $26 Bark in the Park ticket package that includes a human and a dog ticket in the Corner Kick section. There is also a special Mother’s Day ticket package for $32/ticket that includes a $20 food and beverage voucher and a parking pass for the match.

Seeking a Second Sweep
A win for the Red Stars over the Royals wouldn’t just add another season sweep to Chicago’s resume; it would earn the Red Stars the honor of sweeping their first two opponents in the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League season. The first foe Chicago faced off against at home and on the road was Seattle Reign FC, initially in the Red Stars’ Home Opener March 23 then again April 21. Chicago reigned victorious with a 2-1 scoreline in both fixtures, securing the season sweep. After shutting out Utah 2-0 on their home turf to open the season March 16, Chicago has the chance to repeat the achievement again. Having the home field hasn’t been the advantage it’s often cracked up to be for the Red Stars this season, however: since dampening the Reign March 23, Chicago has lost three straight at SeatGeek. In Chicago’s favor, the Royals sit at the bottom of the NWSL table, haven’t won since week two, have lost all three road matches and had a midweek match, meaning less time to recover. Maybe Sunday’s match will be what the Red Stars need to turn the tides.
Rocky Start Royals
Chicago outpaces a struggling Utah squad in most statistics, including goals scored, where Utah ranks worst in the NWSL with just five goals in eight matches. The Royals’ inability to find the back of the net is costing them, with their singular win and draw making them the ninth team in league history to earn four points or less in eight matches. Utah is also being tormented at the opposite end of the pitch, giving up 15 goals. The only two teams conceding more goals than the Royals are the Houston Dash (16) and Bay FC (19). Additionally, Utah has committed more fouls (106) and accumulated more yellow cards (17) than any other team in the league. Can the Royals turn things around and claw their way out of the Wooden Spoon Race?
Dynamic Duo
Defenders Natalia Kuikka and Sam Staab have been a virtually impenetrable center back pair this season. Together, the players account for half of Chicago’s Iron Woman contenders and seven team highs in club statistics. The two are tied for a team-high 10 blocks each, Kuikka has more passes (393) and clearances (50) than any other Red Star and Staab leads the team in touches (524), passes into the final third (70) and chances created (10). Kuikka and Staab’s (42) clearances place them second and fifth in the league highs, respectively, and their 10 blocks also tie them for third in the league highs. Staab was also recognized this week in the NWSL Best XI of the Month for March/April along with keeper Alyssa Naeher. Talk about synergy and strength out of the back.
CHI vs UTA | Prematch Media Availability
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Chicago Red Stars logo
Chicago Red Stars
3
Scoring Summary:
23’ Jenna Bike (Mallory Swanson), 29’ Swanson (PK), 97’ Penelope Hocking (Jamees Joseph) 
Disciplinary Report:
Lineup:
Alyssa Naeher (Mackenzie Wood), Taylor Malham, Sam Staab, Natalia Kuikka, Maximiliane Rall, Cari Roccaro, Leilanni Nesbeth (Julia Bianchi), Penelope Hocking, Ally Schlegel (Shea Groom), Jenna Bike (Jameese Joseph), Mallory Swanson 
Utah Royals logo
Utah Royals
1
Scoring Summary:
81’ Cameron Tucker (Michele Vasconcelos) 
Disciplinary Report:
33’ Mikayla Cluff (Yellow Card), 10’ Amandine Henry (Yellow Card) 
Lineup:
Mandy Haught, Madison Pogarch, Lauren Flynn, Kate Del Fava, Olivia Griffitts (Zoe Burns), Amandine Henry, Mikayla Cluff (Agnes Nyberg), Dana Foederer, Ally Sentnor (Michele Vasconcelos), Hannah Betfort (Cameron Tucker), Paige Monaghan (Brecken Mozingo) 
Chicago Red Stars Beat Utah At Home, 3-1

The Chicago Red Stars, behind goals from Jenna Bike, Mallory Swanson and Penelope Hocking, broke their streak of home losses with a 3-1 win against Utah Royals FC. With this win, the Red Stars completed the season sweep over Utah. Chicago now prepares to head to New Jersey to face the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League Champions, NJ/NY Gotham FC, Sunday, May 19.  

 

KEY MOMENTS: 

11’ Utah get a clean shot at goal from the top of Chicago’s 18-yard box, but goalkeeper, Alyssa Naeher, makes a diving save to keep things level 

23’ Chicago’s Mallory Swanson forces a turnover in Utah’s half that Ally Schlegel picks up, then passes back to Swanson running up the left side of the pitch. Swanson sends a cross to Utah’s back post that finds Jenna Bike’s head before finding the back of the net, 1-0 Chicago Red Stars  

29’ Chicago’s Jenna Bike draws a penalty inside Utah’s 18-yard box. Mallory Swanson steps up to take the attempt and converts to extend Chicago’s lead, 2-0 Chicago   

56’ Utah misplay the ball trying to build out of the back and deliver Swanson a free ball. Swanson carries the ball 30 yards before taking a left-footed shot that’s saved by Utah, 2-0 Chicago 

81’ Utah’s Michele Vasconcelos finds Cameron Tucker outside and to the left of Chicago’s 18-yard box. Tucker takes a couple of touches before taking a long-distance shot that goes past Chicago’s keeper and into the upper 90 to get Utah on the board, 2-1 Chicago  

97’ Chicago, on a breakaway started by Jameese Joseph, find Penelope Hocking who takes a touch around Utah’s keeper, out runs the trailing defenders and takes a shot that rolls into the empty net to seal the win for Chicago, 3-1 Chicago 

 

GAME NOTES: 

  • Tonight marks the 100th regular-season win for the Chicago Red Stars. 
  • Jenna Bike’s goal tonight was the first in her career. The forward was assisted by Mallory Swanson, who scored two goals on assists by Bike earlier this season. 
  • Jameese Joseph made her first career assist tonight on Penelope Hocking’s goal. 
  • This match marks the second time this season that Swanson recorded a goal and assist.  
  • Tonight’s penalty kick attempt for Swanson was the ninth PK attempt in her career. The forward has attempted six with the Red Stars and converted on four of her nine attempts.  
  • Penelope Hocking scored her second goal this season and her second in consecutive matches 
  • Hocking’s goal in the 97th minute is the latest goal in club history.  
  • Goalkeeper, Mackenzie Wood, made her NWSL debut tonight after subbing in for Alyssa Naeher. Wood previously appeared with the Red Stars in their friendly match against the Mexico Women’s National team last year. 

 

Next Game 

Gotham FC vs. Chicago Red Stars May 19, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. CT at Red Bull Arena 

 

Goals by Half  

          1 2 F 

CHI 2 1 3 

UTA 0 1 1 

Highlights | May 12 vs Utah Royals
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CHI vs UTA | Postmatch Media Availability
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