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The Chicago Red Stars hosted the Washington Spirit at SeatGeek Stadium on the first night in May. The midweek matchup marked the second consecutive home game where a US National start attacker was going to create some issues for the Red Stars defense. Last week it was Sophie Smith of the Portland Thorns that was a major thorn for the Red Stars, but on this night it was Trinity Rodman.
The first shot of the game took place in the 9th minute with the Red Stars threatening to take the early lead.
Trinity Rodman was a handful for the Red Stars from the start and the signs were there that she would wreak havoc all night.
Rodman made her statement in the 28th with a fantastic shot in the box that went off the back goal post and into the net for a 1-0 lead.
It took a minute for the Spirit to add to the lead when a sideline breakaway from Rodman resulted in a cross to the box where Ouleymata Sarr put away for a 2-0 lead.
Scary moment for the Spirit as Rodman goes down and needs assistance in the 32nd. She remained in the game. Naer with a save in 37th from a straight on shot from the top of the box by Sarr.
At halftime the Spirit lead the Red Stars 2-0. Lots of tactical changes to be considered for the Red Stars who don’t have any answers for Rodman and the Spirit attack.
“If Trinity (Rodman) looks this good, we as coaches got it wrong”, Red Stars head coach Lorne Donaldson spoke postgame about the impact that Rodman had on the game.
Washington’s Annaig Butel received a yellow card in the at the end of the half, leveling Mallory Swanson, who violently landed face in the 45th.
The Spirit kept pushing and threatening deep into the 6 additional minutes of extra time. Rodman splitting the defense deep inside the box that ultimately resulted in a block from the Red Stars defense.
The second half wasn’t much different for the Red Stars. Spirit continued the attack and the chances the Red Stars created were few and far between.
In 70th the Red Stars created a bit of a stir when a ball ricochet from a Spirit defender straight onto Swanson’s feet and she created a dangerous shot/cross from it that missed the goal by a few feet. Rodman exits in 75th.
Red Stars finally breakthrough in the 80th. Mallory Swanson’s shot on goal saved, but followed up by substitute Ally Schlegel. 2-1 Washington. The Red Stars have a chance to get away with a point.
Not so fast. Three minutes later Spirit’s Brittany Ratcliffe puts it away with a beauty past the diving Alyssa Naeher. It’s 3-1 Spirit.
Red Stars almost got one back. Moment of hope for the Red Stars when Sam Staab’s throw into the box was put away to the back of the net after a malee, but not so fast, offsides was called, still 3-1. Right after the offsides, the Spirit quickly countered and it’s Radcliffe again! Putting one away between Nears legs, it’s 4-1 Washington.
The Red Stars got one back in the 92nd, with a consolation goal from rookie Leilani Nesbet. Too little, too late. Six goals on the night. Lots of offensive output, but the Red Stars weren’t up to par on this night. Too much spirit and offense from Washington and Trinity Rodman. The home losing streak stands at three games for the Red Stars, who are clearly in a slump.
Up next, the Red Stars travel to Bay Area on a short week to face Bay FC on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. CT at PayPal Park
GAME NOTES:
- Tonight marked the first professional start for Ally Cook and Jameese Joseph
- First-round draft pick, Leilanni Nesbeth, scored her first professional goal tonight
- Ally Schlegel’s goal tonight, third on the season, leads the Red Stars in goals scored
