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The fireworks had finally settled as America celebrated its birthday. The Houston Dash made their way into a warm Chicago. A special noon Saturday game before the NWSL Olympic break. The game started out as a feeling out process, possession and lack of threat on both ends for the first 20. Neither team pushing it forward.
The first roar of the crowd appeared in the 21st as Mallory Swanson swiftly dashes through a few Houston defenders on her way to the final third only to be met at the box by a Dash defender. They oddly seemed to push each other aside, not warranting a call either way.
Credit: IMAGN
Swanson nearly got the Red Stars on the board when she lifted a lob shot that was tipped away by the Dash goalie. Not sure if it was a cross lob to the box or a shot, but it was effective. The Red Stars been relying on making too many passes in the box, instead of taking shots on goal. Even though it seems like the right play, it’s not proving to be so far in this game.
As the half was winding down, Swanson got a good ball from Natalia Kuikka on the wing and made a quick turn to the top of the box, but hesitated on a shot and then was forced to sail one over the top of the goal as the Dash defenders collapsed on her.
It was just a matter of time until Swanson made it happen in the extra minute of the half, she found herself clear at the top of the box with the ball and faked a cross, instead just twisted the ball towards the goal and sailed it in the back of the net. Fantastic goal! Goalie had no shot. 1-0 Red Stars. Huge disappointment for the Dash to allow a goal in stoppage time.
Credit: IMAGN
Red Stars head into the half with a lead. They did earn it. Created more chances after a slow start. Swanson showed aggression with the ball in the first half. Houston just seemed lackadaisical. They will really need to turn it up in the second half if they hope to come away with any points.
Red Stars continued to play fierce defense and get to the spot when needing to stop a counter, fastbreak or any sort of Houston attack. Red Stars were quicker to the ball all game long, especially defensively. Houston did manage shot attempts in the second half, but most of them were easy balls to Naeher who had no issues with with any of the balls coming her way.
No more goals were scored in the game, but the story was the Red Star defense. One of their best defensive performances of the season. Big home win, which have been hard to come by for them this season. Positive momentum heading into the Summer Cup play and Olympic break. Additionally, congrats to Mallory Swanson and Alyssa Naeher who will be representing the Red Stars as part of Team USA at the Olympics in Paris.
GAME NOTES:
- With her goal tonight, Swanson is now at seven goals scored on the season
- Swanson has now scored in four-straight matches for the Red Stars, tying her with Jen Hoy who also scored in four straight matches for the Red Stars in 2014. Sam Kerr holds the record for the club with six straight matches with a goal
- With her assist tonight, Leilanni Nesbeth now has her first career assist and is the first person from Bermuda to assist on a goal in the NWSL
- Swanson’s game-winner tonight is the forward’s eighth for the club, tying her with Sam Kerr for second in club history in game-winning goals.
- The Chicago Red Stars have scored in each of their last 5 games in the NWSL, scoring 8 goals in that run
- Tatumn Milazzo continues to show top form ranking in the top five Red Stars in passes completed in the final third (6), tackles won (2) and recoveries
Next Game:
Chicago Red Stars vs. New Jersey/New York Gotham FC NWSL X Liga MXF Summer League on Saturday, July 20, at 4:00 p.m. CT at SeatGeek Stadium
