On Saturday, July 23rd, the Chicago Red Stars were out to avenge their season-opening loss to Houston. Chicago was off to a great start with a goal from Danielle Colaprico in the second minute. However, Houston fought back and English international Rachel Daly found the equalizer in the 82nd minute.
After waiting out a thunderstorm, the Red Stars came out hot, earning a corner kick in the second minute. Vanessa DiBernardo played a short corner to Danielle Colaprico who fired a low cross into Houston’s penalty area. The ball hit a Dash defender and ricocheted into the net. Colaprico got credit for the goal, her first of the season.
Neither team created another threatening shot until the 21st minute. DiBernardo was first to a loose ball at the top of the Dash’s penalty area. She blasted a quick left-footed shot toward Houston’s goal, but it hit the crossbar. The next good chance for Chicago was in the 42nd minute. The Red Stars did a good job possessing the ball through the midfield and finally worked the ball out to Arin Gilliland on the right flank. Gilliland drove into the penalty area and played the ball to DiBernardo wide open at the penalty mark. DiBernardo’s first-time shot skipped barely wide of the left post.
In the 56th minute, Chicago goalkeeper Michelle Dalton collected a Dash cross. She saw the counter-attack was on and placed her punt perfectly into space for Sofia Huerta. Unfortunately, Huerta and the Red Stars couldn’t generate a chance from the play.
It seems Vanessa DiBernardo can’t even buy a goal. Chicago earned a corner kick in the 68th minute and, as usual, DiBernardo trotted to the corner to take it. She played the same short pass to Colaprico coming off the near post as she did in the second minute. This time, Colaprico played a back heel to return the ball to DiBernardo running toward the penalty area. One touch took her into the penalty area and she blasted a shot that had Dash goalkeeper Bianca Henninger well and truly beat. The Red Stars would have been up two and DiBernardo would have had her first goal on the season, but for Dash defender Denise O’Sullivan on the goal line. O’Sullivan was in the right place at the right time and DiBernardo’s shot caromed safely off of her.
Houston punished the Red Stars’ wastefulness, drawing level in the 82nd minute. The Dash launched a counter attack and easily entered the final third. Kealia Ohai battled down the left flank and played the ball to Rachel Daly in Chicago’s penalty area. Her back to goal, Daly took a touch to control the pass and shot as she turned. The shot wrong-footed Dalton and slipped inside the near post for the equalizer.
Chicago needed a spark and Stephanie McCaffrey got her first minutes as a Red Star, replacing Cara Walls in the 85th minute. The Reds Stars acquired McCaffrey from the Boston Breakers on Friday, 22nd July. She arrived in Chicago the same day. Boston gained an international spot and four 2017 draft picks in the deal. The gamble didn’t pay off and the match ended knotted at one all.
The chemistry of the Red Stars attack is finally starting to solidify. They are possessing the ball with better purpose, going forward more instead of back. The combination play is improving and they are playing fewer long, hopeful balls. Chicago now needs to increase their speed of play. They have a tendency to allow their opponent’s defense to settle in, making it hard for Chicago to make the final pass.
Next Match:
Chicago (6-4-4, 22 pts) hosts regional rival FC Kansas City (4-6-4, 16pts) on Saturday, 30 July at 7pm CDT. The Red Stars will retire the jersey of their former captain and US Women’s National Team member, Lori Chalupny. The FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy will be on display at the match as well.
The Dash (2-7-2, 11 pts) return to Houston to face the Western New York Flash (8-5-1, 25 pts) on Saturday, 30 July at 7:30pm CDT.
Lineups:
Chicago Red Stars 4-4-2
Dalton; Gilliland, Naughton, Johnson, Short; Colaprico, DiBernardo (C), Huerta , Comeau; Walls, Hoy
Substitutes:
61’ Mautz for Hoy
85’ McCaffrey for Walls
Houston Dash
Henninger; Privett, Brush, Brooks, Roccaro, Crosson; Ochs, O’Sullivan, Ohai; Daly, Ubogagu
Substitutes:
66’ Henderson for Ubogagu
82’ Floris for Ochs
Goals:
2’ CHI – Colaprico (DiBernardo)
82’ HOU – Daly (Ohai)
Misconduct:
64’ – Yellow – HOU Crosson
