Boston, 7 July 2017 – Chicago leaves Boston a bit disappointed with a 0-0 draw. Goal scoring chances were few and far between for both sides in the first half. The Red Stars turned up the pressure in the second half, but failed to capitalize on free kicks and Boston’s turnovers.
Sofia Huerta had Chicago’s first good chance in the 25th minute, but put her shot well over the crossbar. Huerta then drew a free kick at the top of the Boston penalty area. Christen Press fired the kick toward Boston’s net where Sammy Jo Prudhomme made the save for the Breakers to keep the match level at zero.
Right at the beginning of the second half, Arin Gilliland and Sofia Huerta almost broke the deadlock. Gilliland played the ball in from the right flank and Huerta headed it just over the bar. Chicago kept the pressure up, finally finding Press at the top of the penalty area for the shot. It never troubled Prudhomme, sailing over the net.
Then it was Boston’s turn to apply pressure. The Breakers almost scored off a corner in the 57th minute, but Julie King’s header went wide. A minute later, Rosie White ripped a shot from long distance hoping to catch Alyssa Naeher sleeping, but the shot flew over the net. Boston kept the pressure up for a while, but couldn’t get a good chance.
The Red stars thought they had their breakthrough in the 72nd minute when Christen Press got in behind the Breaker’s defense and slotted the ball past Prudhomme. It was relieved hugs all around as Chicago celebrated the goal while the referee blew the whistle and signaled no goal. Press was correctly called offside. This fueled the fire for Chicago and they continued the onslaught with greater fervor. Three minutes later, Chicago won a corner. Boston seemingly cleared the kick, but the ball fell to Press lurking 20 yards out. Press floated a high ball back into the penalty area. Prudhomme came out to punch the ball away and sent it directly to Taylor Comeau. Comeau chipped the ball back towards goal. It would certainly have been in except for Rosie White who managed to backpedal and jump to get her head on the ball to force it safely over the crossbar. The Red Stars again nearly scored on the ensuing corner kick, but the headed ball hit the far post. In the 77th minute ,Press almost bent the ball into the far right corner. Prudhomme denied her once again with a diving save.
Chicago continued to push for a goal. In the 87th minute Short streaked up the field. She laid it off to Press on the left who struck it first time. Prudhomme misjudged the shot and dove to the far post, but still managed to make the save, catching the ball on her hip. In stoppage time, Vanessa DiBernardo chipped the ball over Boston’s defense. Huerta fired the one-timer right into Prudhomme who smartly snuck up to cut the angle and make the save.
In the end, the Breakers’ defense absorbed everything the Red Stars threw at them to hang on for the 0-0 draw.
Next matches:
Chicago (7-3-3, 2nd, 24 pts) finish their long road trip with a visit to Sky Blue FC (7-6-1, 3rd, 22 pts) on 15 July. The match between the second and third place teams kicks off at 6pm CDT.
Boston Breakers (3-6-4, 9th, 13 pts) cross the country to meet Seattle (5-3-5, 4th, 20pts) on 15 July at 10pm EDT.
Lineups
Chicago Red Stars
Naeher; Short, Johnson, Naughton, Gilliland; Ertz, DiBernardo, Mautz; Huerta, McCaffrey, Press (C)
Substitutes:
60’ Colaprico in for McCaffrey
Boston Breakers
Prudhomme; Westphal, King (C), Oyster, Chapman; Salem, Andrews, White; Haavi, Dowie, Leon, Weimer
Substitutes:
60’ Purce in for Wiemer
78’ Onumonu in for Leon
81’ Stengel in for Dowie
Misconduct:
62’ Yellow – Mautz (CHI)
80’ Yellow – Chapman (BOS) (Misses next match due yellow card accumulation.)
90’ Yellow – White (BOS)
