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Mother’ Day on a beautiful late afternoon in Chicago. Add some woof-woof and it set-up to be a day for the Chicago Red Stars, as they took on the struggling visiting Utah Royals.
Chicago looked like they were off to a super fast start when on their first possession, when in the first minute they created a breakaway and Penelope Hocking had a one-on-one with the goalie and finished it off nicely to the back of the net. The celebration didn’t last long as the goal ended up being called-off due to a an offsides.
The Red Stars kept pushing and in the 23rd they got their break when Mallory Swanson lifted a beautiful cross from outside the box and Jenna Bike finished it off with a header to the back of the net, unmarked, 1-0 Red Stars. They deserved the lead, after dominating the first quarter of the game.
The good fortunes kept up for the Red Stars when a penalty in the box was called against the Royals. Swanson stepped up for the penalty and cooly putt it away to the corner of the goal, 2-0 Chicago in the 28th.
With the injury time stoppages and the goals scored, the referee added a hefty 11 extra minutes to the first half. That gave an opportunity for the Royals to get on the board, and they had a chance in the 48th when a cross into the box was missed at point blank by the Royals attacker.
Right before the halftime whistle the Red Stars had a chance to add to the lead when Bike’s cross into the box sailed just over Taylor Malham.
The Royals were unable to create any meaningful impact offensively. A few shots on goal, but they were no threat to Alyssa Naeher.
Starting the second half, Utan made several substitutions, in hopes of adding some juice to the team. The Royals lacked composure throughout the match. Balls off the mark, shots off-target, missed assignments.
Hocking had a nice breakaway in the 55th that ended up going wide of the goal. Good opportunity, but lacking a quality shot.
Naeher got shaken up on a leg collision with the Royals attacker. Moments after Utah threatened with a nicely placed ball to the top of the box that resulted in another shot off-target. Naeher required some medical attention after the play and unfortunately had to leave the match and be replaced by backup keeper Mackenzie Wood, who made her first regular season appearance.
After the substitution the Red Stars started out on a break lead by Swanson who took it into the box and collided with Royals goalie Mandy Haught. Another goalie and attacker collision within minutes of the previous one which took out Naeher. Ironic and unfortunate on both ends. Royals keeper remained in the game after a medical check.
Red Stars did have a corner from the play that was caught by Haught, who was under duress frequently on the day.
Chicago kept up the attack, Swanson had a breakaway advantage stopped, but the Red Stars regained the ball and Bike created a goal scoring chance in the box that was saved by the Haught.
Utah nearly got on the board when an strike outside the box hit-off the top of the goalpost and rattled back down, but didn’t cross the line. Dangerous situation for the Red Stars, but luck was on their side. Strong attempt from Utah.
Two minutes later that proved to be an ominous sign. Royals Cameron Tucker laid out a pristine ball that sailed right above Wood and into the corner of the net. An absolute GOLAZO for Tucker. A certain goal-of-the-week nominee. Whoof. It’s 2-1 with 10 minutes to go, plus stoppage.
Red Stars coach Lorne Donaldson isn’t taking any wins for granted, they haven’t been easy to come.
“Never be disappointed when you win a game, in this league anyone can bite you on any day.”
A potential missed call by the referee in the 84th when Swanson was taken down just outside the box, but it resulted in a no-call and out of bounds inbound for the Stars.
Chicago had a golden opportunity in the 89th to put the game away when Hocking found a ricochet ball right under her foot and leading into another one-on-one fastbreak, but she missed the shot feet feet wide of the goal. Still 2-1, Chicago.
Hocking had a final chance at redemption to end the game with a ball that got pass the Utah keeper and Hocking managed to get a foot on it to put it in the goal.
After seven extra minutes of stoppage time, the Red Stars came out with a win and collected the all-important 3 points. 3-1 was the final on a gorgeous Mother’s Day late afternoon in Chicago, with plenty of pooches in attendance for “Bark in the Park.”
Up next, Chicago heads to New Jersey to face the 2023 NWSL Champions, NJ/NY Gotham FC, Sunday, May 19.
GAME NOTES:
- Tonight marks the 100th regular-season win for the Chicago Red Stars.
- Jenna Bike’s goal tonight was the first in her career. The forward was assisted by Mallory Swanson, who scored two goals on assists by Bike earlier this season.
- Jameese Joseph made her first career assist tonight on Penelope Hocking’s goal.
- This match marks the second time this season that Swanson recorded a goal and assist.
- Tonight’s penalty kick attempt for Swanson was the ninth PK attempt in her career. The forward has attempted six with the Red Stars and converted on four of her nine attempts.
- Penelope Hocking scored her second goal this season and her second in consecutive matches
- Hocking’s goal in the 97th minute is the latest goal in club history.
- Goalkeeper, Mackenzie Wood, made her NWSL debut tonight after subbing in for Alyssa Naeher. Wood previously appeared with the Red Stars in their friendly match against the Mexico Women’s National team last year.
NEXT GAME:
Gotham FC vs. Chicago Red Stars May 19, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. CT at Red Bull Arena
