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WPS Chicago Stars FC

Sky Blue FC Hands Red Stars First Loss of Season

May 10, 2009 - Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
Chicago Stars FC News Release


Bridgeview, Ill. - Sarah Walsh and Natasha Kai each scored a goal as Sky Blue FC (1-2-2) handed the Chicago Red Stars (2-1-1) their first loss of the season Sunday night before 3,664 fans at TOYOTA PARK.

Sky Blue FC came out on the attack from the start of the match. Playing at the top of the box in the 7th minute, Collette McCallum passed a perfect ball to Walsh who slipped behind two Chicago defenders and beat Caroline Jönsson to the left side of the net for her first goal of the season. The tally also marked the first time in franchise history Chicago trailed in a match.

The normally high-powered Red Stars offense was held in check by the visitors' defense all night. Chicago didn't manage a shot on goal until the second half, when the lethargic Red Stars offense did finally manage an opportunity. The Red Stars' best chance of the night came in the 62nd minute when Cristiane, in for Megan Rapinoe, fed the ball to Carli Lloyd at the top of the box. In past the defense, Lloyd tangled with teammate Karen Carney - who was whistled offside, negating the opportunity.

"I don't think any one of our players had a good game today," said Red Stars Head Coach Emma Hayes. "You can't win games if your players are under performing. Unfortunately, we didn't do some basic things, got exposed and were punished for it. I don't think it was one single area, I thought it was everywhere."

Sky Blue FC sealed the win with Kai's first goal of the season in the 78th minute. Walsh played the ball into the middle of the box, where she was confronted by a charging Jönsson. Before the Swede could knock the ball away, Walsh hit a right cross to Kai who buried it in the empty net.

The Red Stars return to action on Saturday, May 16th at TOYOTA PARK for rematch with Leslie Osborne and FC Gold Pride. Tickets are available by calling (866) WPS-2009 or logging on to www.chicagoredstars.com.

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