WPS Chicago Stars FC

Chicago Red Stars Fall Late to WPS Regular-Season Champion FC Gold Pride

Published on August 22, 2010 under Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
Chicago Stars FC News Release


BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- Chicago Red Stars forward Ella Masar netted two goals, but FC Gold Pride's Marta had the final say during the Bay Area team's 3-2 victory over Chicago on Sunday in Women's Professional Soccer action in front of a season-high crowd of 6,089 at Toyota Park.

Marta also had two goals, including a game-winning penalty kick in the 79th minute. The opportunity arose when Chicago defender Natalie Spilger was whistled for a hand ball in the box. The go-ahead goal also gave Bay Area the 2010 WPS regular-season title, and Gold Pride will host the WPS Championship presented by Citi on Sept. 26.

Masar tallied her team-leading seventh and eighth goals, setting a team record for most goals in a season. The mark previously was held by Brazilian forward Cristiane, who had seven goals last year in a 20-match season.

Gold Pride improved to 13-3-4 on the season while Chicago fell to 5-11-6. The Red Stars are 1-6-1 over their past eight matches.

Chicago is not out of the postseason hunt, though the road to get to the playoffs is narrowing. With the loss, the Red Stars are only vying for the fourth and final playoff spot. Chicago also is the only team with two matches remaining on its regular-season schedule.

Next up for the Red Stars is a 7 p.m. match on Wednesday, Sept. 1, against the Philadelphia Independence at Toyota Park.

On Sunday, Gold Pride wasted little time to strike first, with Marta one-timing a pass from Ali Riley at close range to take a 1-0 lead in the 8th minute.

Masar tied the score up in the 18th minute when she and Gold Pride goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart converged on a Cristiane cross from the left side. Masar lunged at the ball for the tally.

In the 33rd minute, Bay Area's Rachel Buehler headed a Tiffeny Milbrett corner kick into the back of the net for a 2-1 advantage heading into halftime.

The back-and-forth match continued when Chicago's Formiga intercepted a pass, dished to Marian Dalmy on the right side, and Dalmy crossed the ball to Masar for her second goal of the match and a 2-2 tie on the scoreboard.

Red Stars goalkeeper Jillian Loyden made six saves and Barnhart made four for Gold Pride. The Bay Area squad won the head-to-head season series against Chicago with a 2-1-1 record.

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Women's Professional Soccer Stories from August 22, 2010


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