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A late nighter in Chicago. The game was set for a 8:30 p.m. local start time for the Red Stars and the visiting San Diego Wave FC. The national broadcast on ION television, plus the original schedule dispute with Riot Fest were the likely contributions to the late start time. The bigger story was that this was the first game for San Diego without superstar Alex Morgan, who just a week prior played her last professional game, in due to her pregnancy and retirement from football.
So how did the Landon Donovan led Wave FC fare? Not bad, actually.
In the 12th a fantastic cross from Hannah Anderson #41from near the sideline into the box and Ludmila headed it to the back of the net for a first score of the game. Fast start from the Red Stars who are riding momentum off a win against Portland.
It’s not like the San Diego Donovan’s went into a shell. The Wave was aggressive in their continued attack. A dangerous attack from the Wave was stalled by the Red Star wall of defense. Stars keeper Alyssa Naeher diving save and multiple blocks on shots on goal. The organization for the Stars has been superb.
The level of Mallory Swanson shows when she weaves through defenders in waves (no pun intended), and follows up with a nice cross, but Schlagel ran past the nicely placed ball in the box.
Wave FC have actually been pretty impressive, they attack with conviction and push forward. They are active in the box, but credit the Red Stars tenacious defense for not letting the Wave get any momentum. The Stars are positioned well on defense, especially in the box.
The more I watch the Wave the more they truly embody their coach Landon Donovan and his playing style as a player, attack at no will, be pesky and play fast. I enjoy their style of play.
This was a night that belonged to the Stars defense however. Right place and the right time. They fought hard. You just felt as much as the Wave was pushing they wouldn’t come through on this night. These are the sort of performances you need when you’re holding onto one of the last playoff spots.
Wave FC had a golden chance to tie it up deep in extra time with a couple attempts in front of the net that were the types of misses where you grab your head and shake it in disbelief.
The Red Stars get a massive win. Two in a row, both shutouts. This is the kind of gut check win you look back on and point to being a key in saving the season. Up next is another home game against the visiting NC Courage.
GAME NOTES:
- Brazilian silver medalist, Ludmila, scored her first National Women’s Soccer League goal
- Rookie, Hannah Anderson, assisted on Ludmila’s goal and recorded her first career assist
- All rookies drafted by the Red Stars this season have contributed to a goal this season
- The Red Stars have not allowed a goal in more than 230 regular-season minutes of play
- The shutout against San Diego and Portland the week before marks the second time this season the Red Stars have had back-to-back shutouts
- Ludmila is the 10th Brazilian to score a goal in the NWSL this season
NEXT GAME:
Chicago Red Stars vs. North Carolina Courage on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. CT at SeatGeek Stadium
