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Dateline- Bridgeview, IL. Chicago Red Stars “Pride Night” opponent was the meddling Racing Louisville FC on Memorial Day Weekend. The Red Stars coming off a disappointing late game loss to Gotham were looking to rebound at home, but Racing had other plans.
Racing looking nothing like a one win team from the kickoff. Dominating the attack from the start but being disrupted by the Red Stars on each attempt. The first blunder for the Stars comes in the 23rd minute when Racing’s Emma Sears impressively controls the ball outside the 18-yard box, given plenty of space and finishes it with a blast to the back of the net past the outstretched arms of Mackenzie Wood, who was making her second career start, filling in for the injured Alyssa Naeher. It’s 1-0 Racing.
Louisville was relentless in their attack. Red Stars created the best chance of the half when Penelope Hocking found herself in the box and had a clear shot on goal, but missed it just wide of the post.
Leilanni Nesbeth gets a yellow card in the 39th when she thought she had a clean breakaway, only for it to be called back. The yellow seemed to be for showing frustration with the referee after the call.
Red Stars made a run with Jenna Bike crossing it to the top of the box but Hocking couldn’t control the ball and it turned into a wasted possession.
Halftime 1-0 Louisville. Racing looking like a more aggressive team, pushing the pace and creating chances.
The second marked a shift for the Red Stars, who showed more life on offense. Racing didn’t let up, they continued their their attack and nearly went up 2-0 when a dangerous ball in the box skipped just a foot past the goal post.
Red Stars had a chance to even it up in the 83rd when Swanson crossed to Hocking in the box, who had an open look but hit it right at the goalkeeper. A corner followed but Stabb couldn’t guide it to the net.
Racing holds on for a 1-0 win, notching their second win of the season. It looked like one of those games where the Red Stars underestimated a weaker opponent who came in motivated seeking a win. The story of the Red Stars season has been the rollercoaster ride. Some good, some bad. Lots of inconsistency. The biggest one being their their losing record at home this season, with only two home wins entering June.
Postgame there was a nice tribute to Sam Staab who not only was named to the US Women’s International roster for the upcoming friendlies against South Korea, but the game marked her 100th professional game. Well deserved tribute for arguably the best player on the Red Stars this season.
Next up, the highly anticipated “home” game in Wrigley Field against Bay FC on June 8th. NWSL goes on international break next week. An opportunity for some rest and regrouping, plus a chance to see Swanson making her return and Staab getting her first national team call-up for the new Emma Hayes led squad.
GAME NOTES:
- Tonight marked the debut of defender, Hannah Anderson, for the Chicago Red Stars. Anderson was selected by the club in the third round of the 2024 NWSL Draft
- Chicago Red Stars have failed to score a first-half goal in 7 of their 11 games, only Utah Royals (8) and Houston Dash (9) have failed to score more often
NEXT GAME:
Chicago Red Stars vs. Bay FC on June 8, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. CT at Wrigley Field
