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NWSL Chicago Stars FC

Preview: Orlando Pride vs. Chicago Red Stars

March 28, 2024 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Chicago Stars FC News Release


CHICAGO - Fresh off a 2-1 win in their home opener against Seattle Reign FC, the Chicago Red Stars now head to Orlando to face off against the Pride Friday, March 29, at 6:00 p.m. CT at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando. Chicago (2-0-0, 6 pts) looks to continue their hot start while Orlando (0-0-2, 2 pts) hope to get their first win of the season in front of their home crowd.

Where to Watch

Local Broadcast: Marquee Sports Network

Stream: NWSL+

Previous Result:

ORL: Orlando drew even against the Houston Dash, 0-0

CHI: Chicago took down Seattle Reign FC, 2-1, in the Red Stars' home opener

Storylines

Previewing the Pride: Friday's contest between Chicago and Orlando will be the first of the season for the two sides. Last season, the two clubs split the season series with Chicago winning 1-0 in May behind a goal from Yuki Nagasato, and Orlando getting revenge with a 5-0 in August. The Chicago Red Stars are 12-5-1 in all-time regular season matchups against the Pride since they joined the league in 2016. Through two matches this season, Orlando has 22 shots with 9 on target, compared to Chicago's 18 shots with 8 on target; Orlando's pass percentage totaled between 76-78 percent, compared to Chicago's 67-69 percent; and Orlando has held on to the ball for longer periods than Chicago with 48-50 percent possession compared to Chicago's 33-37 percent. The Red Stars have, however, come out victorious in two matches with those pass percentages. Tune into NWSL+ on Friday to find out if Chicago can continue their impressive start to the season.

Malham Madness: Defender Taylor Malham is already making a splash this season. The Oklahoma native played every minute of Chicago's first two fixtures, matching the number of starts she had in the 2023 regular season before Week 3. Malham came into the 2024 season with just six starts and 12 appearances across 621 minutes in three seasons between Chicago and Racing Louisville FC. Red Stars head coach Lorne Donaldson said of Malham after Chicago's 2-1 win over Seattle, "She's a very, very good 1v1 defender, and we know with the style we play, we have to trust our defending 1v1. Nobody knew who she was, but she's carving out a little bit of a niche for herself, which I'm proud of her for." And carve Malham has, notching her first professional assist on March 23 when fellow defender Maxi Rall scored in the 68th minute, creating one of Chicago's two chances and making six recoveries. Malham also leads the team with three aerial duels won so far this season. Malham is no doubt ready to continue making her mark on the NWSL.

Answering The Call: Three Red Stars received national team call ups this week ahead of the April international window: Nádia Gomes (Portugal), Alyssa Naeher (United States) and Mallory Swanson (United States). Gomes will represent Portugal for the third time at the international level as the Portuguese women's national team competes in the group stage of the 2025 UEFA Women's Euro qualifiers. Portugal will take on Bosnia and Herzegovina April 5 and Malta April 9. Meanwhile, Mallory Swanson was named to the United States Women's National Team (USWNT) roster for the first time in just over a year. Receiving the call up for the April international window no doubt rings poetic for Swanson, as the USWNT is set to play on April 6 and April 9, just over one year following the injury on April 8, 2023, that kept the forward off the pitch for 343 days. Red Stars captain Alyssa Naeher will also be joining the USWNT as they attempt to win the SheBelieves Cup for the fifth-straight year. Naeher rejoins the USWNT following an outstanding CONCACAF W Gold Cup run for the United States, where she became the third keeper in USWNT history to earn her 100th international cap and was instrumental in the USWNT's semifinal penalty shootout victory over Canada, saving three attempts and stepping up to the spot to convert a penalty kick herself. In club play, Naeher has also been in top form, winning NWSL Deloitte Impact Save of the Week after Chicago's 2-0 shutout of Utah Royals FC March 16.

Check out the Chicago Stars FC Statistics



National Women's Soccer League Stories from March 28, 2024


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