WPS Chicago Stars FC

Chicago Red Stars Fall to Boston, 3-1

Published on July 25, 2010 under Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
Chicago Stars FC News Release


BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The Chicago Red Stars fell into an early hole and could not recover as the Boston Breakers defeated the Red Stars, 3-1, on Sunday in Women's Professional Soccer action at Toyota Park.

Before Sunday's match, the most goals the Red Stars' defense conceded this season in a match was two, on only two occasions. The last time Chicago surrendered three goals was a 3-2 loss to the Washington Freedom on July 26, 2009.

With the win, the Breakers move up to third place in the league standings with a 5-6-4 record and 19 points, one point ahead of defending champion Sky Blue FC. Chicago falls to 4-7-5 but still is heavily in the mix with 17 points and a current fifth-place tie with the Washington Freedom.

Next up for the Red Stars is a three-game road trip, starting with a 6 p.m. match on Wednesday, July 28, against the Philadelphia Independence at Westchester, Pa. The road swing includes matches at Sky Blue FC (Aug. 1) and at FC Gold Pride (Aug. 7). Chicago's next home match is at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 11, against Philadelphia at Toyota Park.

On Sunday, Kelly Smith was the main source of offense for Boston, netting goals in the 9th and 12th minutes, then assisting Ifeoma Dieke's goal in the 14th to take a commanding 3-0 lead.

The Red Stars' Kosovare Asllani netted her team's lone goal in the 80th minute off of a Casey Nogueira free kick from the left side.

With a 3-0 deficit, the Red Stars made an early substitution with Asllani replacing defender Natalie Spilger in the 24th minute. Chicago went with a three-player defensive back line, and shortly after the move the Red Stars nearly got a goal back. In the 27th minute, Red Stars defender Whitney Engen hit the crossbar as the ball ricocheted down to the ground. Karen Carney was there for a rebound, but Breakers goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher made the save.

Another close call for a Red Stars goal came early in the second half when Brazilian forward Cristiane hit the right post.

The Red Stars held an 18-7 shots edge and a 10-6 shots on goal advantage against the Breakers. In the net, Naeher made eight saves for the clean sheet and Red Stars goalkeeper Jillian Loyden made two saves.

Some unusual happenings took place statistically in the first half of Sunday's match. Aside from Boston's flurry of goals -- three within a span of approximately 5 minutes -- the Breakers did not commit a single foul in the first 45 minutes. Boston also did not have a single corner kick or offside call in the first half.

Nikki Washington, a University of North Carolina product, made her Red Stars and WPS debut when she replaced Megan Rapinoe in the 69th minute.

This was the lone regular-season match between the two clubs at Toyota Park this year. Chicago wins the head-to-head season series against Boston with a 2-1-0 record. Overall, the series is tied with a 3-3-0 mark.

Check out the Chicago Stars FC Statistics

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Women's Professional Soccer Stories from July 25, 2010


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