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San Diego wished they didn’t get this game in Chicago this early in the season. A very chill and windy evening game for the sun drenched team from San Diego, weather advantage Chicago. Would it matter though?
Slow start to the game. Lot’s of hold-ups in the midfield, both teams playing the possession game. Stars with two very minor threats on goal in the first 20 minutes. The few attempts at goal appeared to be forced balls also. Lack of patience so far for the Stars.
Ally Schlagel had the first legitimate shot in the 24th, on an attempt that was saved by the Wave keeper. Six minutes later it all changed, when a scrum deep inside the Chicago box resulted in a shot on goal that went to the back on the net. Wave take a 1-0 lead on a goal from Hanna Lundkvist.
It was San Diego’s only real chance and shot on goal in the game and they make it count. There seemed to be confusion on the Stars side of things, players calling on a handball, but to no avail.
Jameese Joseph could have responded, but she crossed a ball in the box wide of the next Star attacker. Should have just taken the shot herself, instead. She had a similar chance near halftime and did the same thing, laid it off for a pass that goes wide. Rough first half for Joseph.
Wave was quiet throughout most of the first half, but made the most of their shot on goal. Chicago is just missing the finishing touch up front. A Mallory Swanson would be a godsend for this team, but no news on her whereabouts or return.
The second half started out in similar fashion. The Stars can’t muster much of an attack. Credit the Wave for keeping a compact defense. Stars did turn up the pressure and took control of the midfield, but it didn’t result in much.
Into the 80th and San Diego, who have been countering several times in the second half, get one to pay off with a sliding kick that goes past Naeher. 2-0 San Diego. This all but puts the game out of reach for the Stars.
For good measures Wave added another one in stoppage time. The urgency shouldn’t have been with San Diego, yet, they are thee ones adding the points. The Wave leaves Chicago with a definitive 3-0 win and three points.
There needs to be some soul searching for the Stars, they played deflated by the end of the match. This team is on a downward spiral. It’s early, but it’s been an ugly and bad start to the 2025 season. Something needs to change soon before it becomes too late.
MATCH NOTES:
- Chicago had more shots than San Diego (12 to 9) and more shots from inside the box (8 to 5)
- Chicago also created more chances than San Diego tonight (11 to 7)
- Midfielder, Bea Franklin, stood out for Chicago tonight ranking in the top five Stars players in completed passes (33), passes completed in the final third (6), tackles won (3), recoveries (9) and created a chance at goal
- Sam Staab played her first full match of the season tonight
- Julia Grosso completed 93.5% of her passes
- Maitane had 100% tackle success in the midfield for Chicago
Next Match:
Gotham FC vs. Chicago Stars FC, May 4, 2025, at noon CT at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
