The Chicago Red Stars continued their travels with a visit to the Washington Spirit on Saturday, 9 July. The road has not been kind to the Red Stars in recent weeks and this week was no exception. Chicago lost their third-straight 2-0 decision to the Spirit. Washington scored in each half to seal the win.
Washington scored their first goal in the 20th minute. The Spirit broke up Chicago’s attempt to play up-field and Christine Nairn gained control for Washington. Nairn played a quick ball through to Argentinian international Estefania Banini on the left flank. A give-and-go with Nigerian international Francisca Ordega, allowed Banini an uncontested chance on goal. Banini placed the ball around Chicago goalkeeper Michelle Dalton and into the far lower corner of the goal.
Fifteen minutes into the second half, Chicago produced their best chance of the match. Sofia Huerta collected the ball near her own penalty area and quickly started a counter attack. She dribbled into Washington’s final third before meeting an opponent and laying the ball off to Jannelle Flaws on the right flank. Flaws took the ball almost to Washington’s endline before crossing back to Arin Gilliland on the far side. Gilliland’s header would have evened the score if not for Wys’ acrobatic save. Wys dove to her left and parried the ball out of harm’s way.
Washington nearly doubled their lead in the 65th minute. Caprice Dydasco won a 50-50 ball, drove to the center, and ripped a left-footed shot toward the Chicago net from 25 yards out. Michelle Dalton made the save of the match for Chicago to keep the ball out. Her good footwork took her across the goal into a flying full extension dive to parry the ball around the post.
A Spirit corner kick allowed them to make their second substitution of the match. In the 73rd minute, Katie Stengel replaced Francisca Ordega. With her first touch of the match, Stengel headed Christine Nairn’s laser of a corner kick directly into Chicago’s net.
The Red Stars never found their rhythm in this match. They again had trouble finding each other with passes and often gave the ball away easily. When they did have possession, Chicago moved the ball too slowly and failed to pull Washington’s defense out of shape to create opportunities. As in past weeks, the Red Stars struggled to generate opportunities and couldn’t put away the opportunities they did create.
Next Match:
The Red Stars (5-4-3, 18 pts) wrap up this road streak in Orlando when they face the Pride (6-6-0, 18 pts) on Saturday, 16 July at 7:30pm EDT.
The Washington Spirit (7-2-2, 23 pts) are on the road against FC Kansas City (3-5-4, 13 pts) on Saturday, 16 July at 7pm EDT.
Lineups:
Chicago Red Stars 4-4-2
Dalton; Gilliland, Naughton, Johnson, Short; Colaprico, DiBernardo, Comeau, Da Costa; Mautz, Huerta
Substitutes:
46’ Flaws for Da Costa
46’ Hoy for Mautz
80’ Luba for Hoy
Washington Spirit 4-3-3
Wys; Kleiner, Johnson, Oyster, Dydasco; Nairn (C), Huster, Lohman; Farquharson, Ordega, Banini
Substitutes:
58’ Williams for Farquharson
73’ Stengel for Ordega
83’ Church for Nairn
Goals:
20’ WAS Banini (Ordega)
74’ WAS Stengel (Nairn)
Misconduct:
42’ Yellow – CHI Mautz
47’ Yellow – WAS Ordega
