NWSL Chicago Stars FC

Chicago Red Stars Spoil Utah's Inaugural Match, Win 0-2

Published on March 17, 2024 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Chicago Stars FC News Release


CHICAGO - The Chicago Red Stars kicked off their 2024 campaign with a 0-2 win over Utah Royals FC in the Royals' inaugural match back in the National Women's Soccer League. Ally Schlegel and Ava Cook provided the two goals for the Red Stars, and were backed by an outstanding performance by goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.

KEY MOMENTS:

4' Sam Staab misjudges a ball in Utah's defensive third that leads to a break away, but the center back hustles back to make a key slide and clear any danger.

32' Chicago's Julia Bianchi clears a ball in Chicago's defensive third that goes up the line to find Mallory Swanson in stride. Swanson carries the ball into Utah territory makes a cross that deflects to Red Stars forward, Ally Schlegel, who takes a shot that goes wide of the net.

48' Mallory Swanson receives a ball and dribbles into Utah's 18-yard box, passes the ball to a trailing Nádia Gomes, but the forward's shot goes over the crossbar

50' Chicago's Sam Staab lobs a ball into Utah's 18-yard box that finds the head of Ally Schlegel who gets it into the net to open the scoring, 0-1 Chicago

54' Utah goes on a breakaway straight toward Chicago's goal, but the attacker's shot is saved by the outstretched right hand of Alyssa Naeher, 0-1 Chicago

76' Chicago's Maxi Rall carries the ball across the field into Utah's 18-yard box, takes a shot that goes off Ally Cook, bounces to Ava Cook who scores to extend Chicago's lead, 0-2 Chicago

GAME NOTES:

Tonight marked Mallory Swanson's first match back since injury last season. She played 80 minutes before subbing out

Tonight also marked the first match back for Nádia Gomes after briefly retiring from the sport, as well as the first NWSL match for Maximiliane Rall, who spent her career playing in Europe before joining the Red Stars this offseason15th coach to win in

The win tonight for Coach Donaldson makes him the 15th coach in league history to win his very first match as a head coach, of 57 total debuts

Alyssa Naeher made five saves tonight, making this her first five save match since Chicago faced Louisville October 1, 2023

Chicago walked away with three points despite having less possession (32.5% to 67.5), lower expected goals (.98 to 2.10), less shots inside the box (6 to 12) and less passes in the final third (74 to 129)

Sam Staab's assist marks her first with the club since joining via trade in January

Next Game

Chicago Red Stars vs. Seattle Reign FC March 23, 2024, 3:00 p.m. CT at SeatGeek Stadium

Goals by Half

1 2 F

UTA 0 0 0

CHI 0 2 2

Scoring Summary:

UTA:

CHI: 50' Ally Schlegel (Sam Staab), 77' Ava Cook (Ally Cook)

Disciplinary Report

UTA: 44' Sentnor (Yellow Card), 62' Agnes Nyberg (Yellow Card)

CHI: 60' Penelope Hocking (Yellow Card), 90+6' Ava Cook (Yellow Card)

Lineups

UTA: Carly Nelsonk, Imani Dorsey, Kaleigh Riehl, Kate Del Fava, Madison Pogarch, Agnes Nyberg (Tucker), Dana Foederer, Paige Monaghan (Onumonu), Frankie Tagliaferri (Mozingo), Ally Sentnor, Hannah Betfort

CHI: Alyssa Naeher, Maxi Rall, Natalia Kuikka, Sam Staab, Taylor Malham, Julia Bianchi, Cari Roccaro, Nádia Gomes (Ally Cook), Penelope Hocking (Sarah Griffith), Mallory Swanson (Jenna Bike), Ally Schlegel (Ava Cook)

-Chicago Red Stars-

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