WPS Chicago Stars FC

Red Stars Held In Check By Sky Blue

April 11, 2010 - Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
Chicago Stars FC News Release


The Chicago Red Stars held a one-sided 20-10 edge in shots and produced 13 corner kicks in their 2010 WPS season opener. But the Red Stars offense was held in check, while the defending Women's Professional Soccer champion Sky Blue FC cashed in on one of its chances to earn a 1-0 victory Sunday at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, N.J.

"I was pleased with the performance," Red Stars Head Coach Emma Hayes said. "We kept the ball well and created opportunities."

The match's lone goal came from Sky Blue's Tasha Kai in the 6th minute off of a Heather O'Reilly assist. That held up the rest of the way as Sky Blue improved to 4-0-1 in the head-to-head series against Chicago. The Red Stars have yet to score a goal in the all-time series.

Sky Blue goalkeeper Karen Bardsley made five saves for the clean sheet. Her counterpart, New Jersey native Jillian Loyden, made three saves for the Red Stars in her first stint as a No. 1 goalkeeper in WPS. Loyden spent the 2009 season as a backup to Saint Louis Athletica goalkeeper Hope Solo.

Next up for the Red Stars is their home opener at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 17, at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill.

Despite a tough start to Sunday's game, the Red Stars lingered in the offensive third for a good portion of the first half. Chicago created nine corner kick attempts in the first 45 minutes. And in the run of play, there were two distinct chances that came up just short.

The first was in the 15th minute, when Ella Masar provided a good through ball to Cristiane, who had a slight edge to the ball against Sky Blue defender Daphne Koster. But Cristiane's attempt went wide left as she could not fully control her shot. In the 40th minute, former Sky Blue and current Red Stars midfielder Julianne Sitch had a quick trap and shot that was deflected wide left of the goal.

The Red Stars continued to pressure at the start of the second half. In the 47th minute, Masar made a strong back heel pass to try and find Katie Chapman. But Chapman's attack was deflected just wide left by the Sky Blue defense as the ball hit the outside of the netting.

Chicago continued to produce corner-kick chances, and in the 58th minute the Red Stars had a high-percentage chance when Cristiane had a good look but shot high and wide right. But despite the regularity of looks, as well as some strategic Red Stars substitutions when the players showed they were tiring, Chicago came up empty on the score sheet.

"I was disappointed that we didn't capitalize on our set pieces. That's something to work at in training this week," Hayes said. "But there were a lot of positives to take out of this game. Other than the result, I thought we were the better team."

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Women's Professional Soccer Stories from April 11, 2010


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