Chicago, 22 April 2017 – Julie Ertz (née Johnston) shone in her new role for Chicago, leading them to a 1-0 home-opener victory against FC Kansas City. After a slow start for both teams, Julie Ertz scored the game winner for Chicago late in the first half. The goal is her first of the season. KC Goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart made several key saves to keep the game close.
The Red Stars’ first good chance came in the 27th minute. Ertz, playing in an attacking role in Chicago’s midfield, started the play. She drove through the center of the field only to hit a wall of KC defenders at the top of the penalty area, but was able to get the ball to Casey Short on the left. Ertz continued her run and met Short’s cross squarely with her head. KC’s Barnhart made a fantastic save-of-the-week, palming the high shot away from goal. Christina Gibbons cleared the danger for the Blues.
The Red Stars finally got their breakthrough in the 41st minute. Sofia Huerta made a neat little turn to get behind Gibbon. Huerta threaded a cross through the KC defense. Ertz timed her diagonal run perfectly and struck the ball first time, driving it home inside the near post.
After the halftime break, Ertz was again making things happen for the Red Stars. She drew a penalty kick in the 48th minute. Unfortunately, Christen Press couldn’t convert it. She had Barnhart fooled but pushed the shot wide to the right. In the 56th minute, Ertz nearly got a brace, heading a cross from Jen Hoy just barely wide. Press got another chance at goal in the 65th minute. Vanessa DiBernardo played a beautiful long ball across the field right into Press’ stride. Press rounded Barnhart, but Press’ shot clanged off the outside of the near post and out of bounds. KC made a few forays into Chicago’s end in the final fifteen minutes, but the Red Stars defense held strong to get the 1-0 win.
Chicago coach Rory Dames continued tinkering with his lineup in this second match. He made his largest change yet, putting Julie Ertz in an attacking role in the midfield. His gamble paid off. In Ertz, he may have finally found the field general he’s needed since Lori Chalupny retired. While Ertz will need a few matches to settle in and learn more about how to function in this new role, her potential for the Red Stars is obvious. Her attacking runs were varied and well-timed. KC had a lot of trouble tracking her, especially in their own penalty area. Her strength and tenacity were often key to Chicago’s chances on goal. Chicago had several turnovers in the final third, but Ertz stuck with the plays. Her persistence on three specific sequences forced a difficult save, lead to her goal, and created the penalty kick opportunity. Time will tell if she’s the solution to the lackluster midfield. Next week’s match against Portland will be a fantastic test for her if she remains in this new role. Her continued growth and success in this role could make her the heart of the team, just like Chalupny.
Next matches:
Chicago (4th, 1-1, 3pts) travels to Portland and faces the Thorns (6th, 1-1, 3pts) in the Lifetime game of the week on 29 April at 3pm CDT.
Kansas City (5th, 1-1, 3pts) continue their road trip with a visit to New Jersey. They take on Sky Blue FC (10th, 0-1-1, 1pt) on 30 April at 6pm EDT
Lineups
Chicago Red Stars:
Naeher; Short, Johnson, Naughton, Gilliland; Ertz, Colaprico, DiBernardo; Hoy, Huerta, Press (C)
Substitutes:
71’ McCaffery for Hoy
87’ Mautz for Huerta
87’ Proffitt for Ertz
FC Kansas City:
Barnhart; Gibbons, Averbuch, Sauerbrunn (C), Taylor; Moros, Bowen, LaBonta; Newfield, Leroux, Groom
Substitutes:
74’ Kelly for Leroux
Misconduct:
None
