Chicago Red Stars Host FC Kansas City on Sunday in Semifinals of the 2015 NWSL Playoffs
Published on September 9, 2015 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) News Release
CHICAGO (Sept. 9, 2015) - Christen Press and the Chicago Red Stars make their playoff debut when they host Lauren Holiday and defending champions FC Kansas City in the semifinals of the 2015 NWSL Playoffs on Sunday, Sept. 13 at 1:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill.
Press finished the regular season tied for second in goals after scoring her 10th in 11 games this year when she found the back of the net in the 90th minute to help the Red Stars salvage a 1-1 home draw in Week 21 at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill. - the site of Sunday's NWSL semifinal.
The U.S. international has been prodigious for Chicago, scoring at a rate of .90 goals per game - the second-best single-season return in NWSL history (minimum five games) behind Sky Blue FC's Nadia Nadim, who scored seven goals in six games in 2014 for 1.16 goals per game.
Red Stars coach Rory Dames will hope that rookie forward Sofia Huerta makes it back from a left knee sprain that kept her out of the match against Houston.
Huerta was a pivotal figure for Chicago while Press was away with the U.S. Women's National Team at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. The Bosie, Idaho native recorded all six goals and three assists of her first season in the league while Press was on international duty.
The Red Stars also received a standout season from their defensive unit of Julie Johnston, Abby Erceg, Arin Gilliland and Taryn Hemmings as well as goalkeepers Karina LeBlanc and Michele Dalton - both of whom split time down the stretch.
Chicago finished the 2015 with the No. 3-ranked defense in the league - just two goals behind FC Kansas City for the top spot.
But Dames will be concerned about the way his squad finished the season - particularly at home.
The Red Stars won just one of their last eight games to finish the year - and while they lost just once at home this season (to the Washington Spirit, snapping a 15-game streak at home without a loss), Chicago will also bring a streak of six games without a home win into the match against the defending champions.
Despite that, the Red Stars won the season series against FCKC this season - with a 2-1 road win May 23 over the Blues before the two sides fought to 2-2 draw August 1 in Chicago.
FC Kansas City will bring the league's third-best away record into the match Sunday against the Red Stars after securing their fourth road win of campaign in a 3-2 victory over Sky Blue FC in Week 21 behind two goals and one assist from forward Amy Rodriguez. Midfielder Sarah Hagen also scored for FCKC in the win.
Rodriguez finished the campaign with six goals and four assists in 11 games to lead the Blues in both categories, while Hagen's goal was her fourth of the year to go along with three assists.
The game against Sky Blue FC was just the seventh time in 20 games this season that FC Kansas City allowed two or more goals in a match as they saw their four-game shutout streak snapped.
It was the second time this season coach Vlatko Andonovski's backline - led by Becky Sauerbrunn, Leigh Ann Robinson, Becca Moros, Amy LePeilbet and goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart - achieved the feat, matching an NWSL record set by Sky Blue FC in 2013.
Barnhart finished the 2015 season with eight shutouts - one shy of her own NWSL record that she set in 2013. The former U.S. international has led the NWSL in clean sheets in all three years of the league's existence.
Andonovski will also be looking to Holiday (2 goals, 2 assists) as well as fellow midfielder Heather O'Reilly (2 goals, 3 assists) to provide veteran leadership and he will be hoping forward Shea Groom - who has been battling her way back from a fracture in her right foot - is able to have an impact on Sunday.
The Blues are the only team to have made the playoffs in all three years of the league's existence and are 1-1 in NWSL semifinals.
FC Kansas City lost 3-2 after extra time to eventual champions Portland Thorns FC in 2013 before avenging the loss with a 2-0 victory over the Thorns en route to the 2014 NWSL championship. Both those matches were at home for the Blues, who will be opening the playoffs on the road for the first time on Sunday.
Tickets for Sunday's NWSL Semifinal between Chicago Red Stars and FC Kansas City may be purchased by calling 773-698-6001 or by visiting www.chicagoredstars.com.
National Women's Soccer League Stories from September 9, 2015
- Flash Midfielder Samantha Mewis Named Finalist for NWSL Rookie of the Year - Western New York Flash
- Chicago Red Stars Host FC Kansas City on Sunday in Semifinals of the 2015 NWSL Playoffs - NWSL
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