Red Stars Return to Action against the Washington Spirit
Published on June 18, 2015 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) News Release
CHICAGO (June 18, 2015) - Sophia Huerta and the Chicago Red Stars return to action against Crystal Dunn and the Washington Spirit in a top-of-the-table match up Saturday at 8 p.m. ET at Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex in Lisle, Ill.
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The league-leading Red Stars ended what has been a truly stellar first part of the NWSL season on a sour note before the league-wide 12-day break for the group stage of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup with a 3-1 loss on the road to the Western New York Flash on June 6.
Huerta, who was voted the NWSL Player of the Month for May, scored her fifth goal in seven appearances this season in the defeat and comes into Saturday's contest trailing Spirit forward Crystal Dunn by one for the league lead.
Midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo picked up her NWSL-best fourth assist of the year on Huerta's goal, which came on a corner after the forward saw a penalty kicked saved by Western New York Flash goalkeeper Chantel Jones.
The loss snapped a franchise-best 10-match unbeaten run for the Red Stars, who will be looking to return to their winning ways. Chicago have yet to lose in four games at home this season - posting a 3-0-1 record at the Village of Lisle-Benedictine stadium.
The Red Stars have outscored their opponents 5-0 after the 75th minute of games this season.
The Spirit come into the match trailing Chicago by just a point in the standings having played one more game than their hosts after Washington managed a 1-1 home draw with the Boston Breakers on June 6.
Midfielder Amanda Da Costa scored her first NWSL goal in the game for the Spirit, who have not been shutout since a season-opening loss to Houston - a run that stretches eight games and is the longest such currently-active streak in the league.
The match against the Breakers saw the end of a terrific run by Dunn, who had scored or assisted in the previous seven games.
The No. 1 overall selection in the 2014 NWSL College Draft has been a revelation during her second season in the league with six goals and two assists. Dunn also ranks second in the NWSL with 14 shots on goal and leads the league with three game-winning goals.
The match Saturday is the first in a stretch that will see the Spirit play two of their next three games away from home before returning to Maryland SoccerPlex for a three-match home stand.
The Red Stars will head out on the road for three straight games after the game for a road trip during which they will travel to face Sky Blue FC, Houston and the Breakers.
National Women's Soccer League Stories from June 18, 2015
- Thorns FC Waive Midfielder Sarah Robbins - Portland Thorns FC
- Red Stars Return to Action against the Washington Spirit - NWSL
- Chicago Welcomes Washington for Massive Six-Pointer - Chicago Stars FC
- Mayor Walsh and Boston Breakers Team up to Host Women's World Cup Viewing Party - Boston Breakers
- Portland Thorns FC Host FC Kansas City to Kick off the Second Half of the NWSL Season - NWSL
- Preview: FC Kansas City Visits Portland Thorns After Three-Week Break - FC Kansas City
- Viewing Party Details: USA vs Colombia on Monday Night - Western New York Flash
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