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Chicago Red Stars

Red Stars Rally to Top Washington, 2-1

July 1, 2009 - Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
Chicago Red Stars News Release


BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - Leave it to the Chicago Red Stars to set a Women's Professional Soccer record for offensive production.

The Red Stars became the first team in WPS history to come from behind to win a game, scoring a pair of second-half goals Wednesday night to beat Washington, 2-1, in front of 4,127 at TOYOTA PARK. In the process Chicago ended its WPS-record scoreless streak at 451 consecutive minutes, snapped a nine-match winless streak and kept itself in the heart of the league playoff race.

Cristiane got the Red Stars (3-6-5) on the board in the 48th minute with a brilliant goal scored with her back to the net. Lindsay Tarpley had her initial shot deflected by Washington goalkeeper Erin McLeod, but the deflection found its way straight to the Brazilian striker, who kicked it backwards with her left foot straight in.

Tarpley would record the game-winner in the 61st minute. The Chicago forward took a feed from Megan Rapinoe, spun around a Freedom defender and buried her shot in the upper left corner for her third goal of the season, retying Cristiane for the team scoring lead.

Washington (4-5-4) nearly earned a draw in the match's final minute. During stoppage time Abby Wambach took a shot from the right side of the goal line that deflected off Red Stars goalkeeper Caroline Jönsson to a wide open Lisa De Vanna, but the forward was unable to strike the ball and it continued harmlessly out of bounds.

The Freedom opened the match's scoring when Wambach took advantage of a deflection off a Chicago defender to score her third goal of the season in the 34th minute.

The two goals highlighted a strong offensive night for the Red Stars, who outshot Washington by a 28-16 margin. Carli Lloyd had a shot cleared off the line by Washington defender Cat Whitehill in the match's opening minute and Cristiane barely missed on more goals when two of her shots hit the crossbar.

With the win, Chicago moves into fifth place in the WPS standings with 14 points - two back of Washington for the league's fourth and final postseason berth. The Red Stars have played one more game than the Freedom.

The Red Stars return to the field on Sunday, July 5th for an exhibition with the Ireland Women's National Team. The match will take place at 3 pm at the Benedictine University Sports Complex in Lisle, Ill. The Red Stars then return to WPS action the following Sunday, July 12th, when they host FC Gold Pride at 7 pm. The game will be a celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the U.S. victory in the 1999 Women's World Cup and feature special appearances by World Cup team members Brandi Chastain and Brianna Scurry. Tickets are available by calling (866) WPS-2009 or logging on to www.chicagoredstars.com.

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