The Chicago Red Stars (7-10-2, 23 pts) head West for the final time in 2024 to take on Portland Thorns FC (8-8-3, 27 pts). Both clubs look to snap three-match losing streaks to keep their playoff hopes alive with just seven regular-season matches left.
The Chicago Red Stars ended their three-match skid with a 0-1 win over the Portland Thorns FC. Forward, Ally Schlegel – making her first start since the summer break – providing the match winning goal for the Red Stars. The club returns to Chicago to take on San Diego Wave FC Saturday, September 21, at 8:30 p.m. CT at SeatGeek Stadium.
KEY MOMENTS:
8’ Mallory Swanson finds Natalia Kuikka running up the right side of the pitch and delivers her the ball. Kuikka takes a few touches looking to find an open runner, and finds Swanson running up the middle of the 18, but defenders swarm the attacker before Swanson can get a strong shot off
16’ Portland send a soft pass back toward their keeper, but Ally Schlegel’s quick reactions allow her to get to the ball first, maneuver around a group of Thorns and score on a wide-open net, 0-1 Red Stars
37’ Chicago turn the ball over this time, and the backline face the dangerous combination of Christine Sinclair and Sophia Smith, but great defensive prowess by Cari Roccaro helps stop Smith’s shot before it gets anywhere near the net
44’ A long throw in by Chicago’s Taylor Malham, finds the head of Ally Schlegel. The forward’s header sends the ball to Mallory Swanson, who in turn takes the ball up the left side of the pitch before sending a low cross to a charging Jameese Joseph. Joseph receives the ball in the 18-yard box, passes is to a wide-open Ludmila whose shot rockets towards goal, but goes off the post, 0-1 Red Stars
46’ Mallory Swanson lobs a ball into the 18-yard box that was destined to find the foot of Ludmila, however, Portland’s defender fouls the forward in the box and a penalty is called. Swanson steps up to take the penalty kick, aims to her left, but Portland’s keeper guesses correctly and makes the stop, 0-1 Red Stars
65’ Chicago defender, Hannah Anderson, sends a long ball to Swanson who is all alone on the right wing. Swanson dribbles into the box, takes a touch to her left foot and fires off a shot, but it’s blocked by a Portland defender
74’ Portland’s Sophia Smith races up the left side of the pitch, sends a strong cross into the box that finds the foot of Morgan Weaver, but the forward’s shot goes straight at Alyssa Naeher who makes the save
GAME NOTES:
Next Game
Chicago Red Stars vs. San Diego Wave FC September 21, 2024, at 8:30 p.m. CT at SeatGeek Stadium
Goals by Half
1 2 F
POR 0 0 0
CHI 1 0 1
