Chicago, 17 June 2017 – The Washington Spirit nearly ended Chicago’s home unbeaten streak on a goal from Francesca Ordega, but a late Christen Press penalty knotted the match at 1-1. Caprice Dydasco made her season debut for the Spirit, having suffered an ACL tear in last year’s championship.
Chicago started off with high pressure as usual, getting a couple shots from long range and earning a couple corner kicks, but couldn’t catch Spirit goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé napping. As the Red Stars settled in, they were able to use their combination play to get Christen Press in behind the defense, but Labbé came up with a couple big breakaway saves to deny Press.
Washington took the lead in the 42nd minute when Cheyna Williams found Francisca Ordega with a long chip. Ordega took advantage of a missed clearance and burned past the Chicago defense. Katie Naughton almost caught up with her, but couldn’t do enough to prevent Ordega putting the ball past Alyssa Naeher into the Red Stars’ goal.
The Red Stars backline took a hit in the second half, losing Taylor Comeau to injury. The defender was coughing up blood after a collision with Kristie Mewis. Comeau was evaluated by the team doctor and taken immediately to the hospital via ambulance. Reports say that Comeau suffered a lung contusion.
The Spirit defense stymied every attack the Red Stars threw at them until the 80th minute. Casey Short gained control of the ball near midfield, dribbled past a couple Spirit defenders, and chipped the ball into the penalty area for Press. The Red Stars’ captain barely lost the footrace with Shelina Zadorsky. Zadorsky slid from just behind Press getting the ball and a little too much of the player. The referee awarded a penalty kick and showed Zadorsky the yellow card. Press stepped up for the penalty kick and fooled the Spirit ‘keeper, calmly putting the ball into the left side of the net to level the match at one each. The score remained tied, 1-1 and Chicago managed to escape with the draw.
Next matches:
Chicago (5-2-2, 2nd, 17pts) try to keep their home unbeaten streak alive against a hot Sky Blue team (5-4-1, 3rd, 16pts) on Sunday 25th June at 5pm CDT.
The Spirit (2-5-2, 8th 8pts) host the Portland Thorns (4-2-3, 4th, 15pts) at 7pm EDT on Saturday 24th June.
Lineups
Chicago Red Stars
Naeher; Short, Johnson, Naughton, Comeau; Colaprico, Ertz, DiBernardo, Mautz; Huerta, Press (C)
Substitutes:
68’ Gorden in for Johnson
68’ Green in for Naughton
79’ Kaskie in for Comeau (injury)
Washington Spirit
Labbé; Kallman, Zadorsky(C), Church, Johnson; Kleiner, Dougherty-Howard, Soluan, Williams; Ordega, Mewis
Substitutes:
61’ Dydasco in for Kleiner
70’ Jensen in for Williams
89’ Ship in for Solaun
Misconduct:
31’ Yellow – Naughton (CHI)
63’ Yellow – Dougherty Howard (WAS)
81’ Yellow – Zadorsky (WAS)
