2021 NWSL Playoffs, Quarterfinal Round
Chicago Red Stars vs NJ/NY Gotham FC
SeatGeek Stadium, Bridgeview, IL November 7, at 2:00 P.M. CT
CHICAGO - The Chicago Red Stars host the first quarterfinal match of the 2021 NWSL Playoffs as they take on NJ/NY Gotham Sunday, November 7, at 2 p.m. CT.
Where to Watch
Stream: CBS Sports Network
Previous Result CHI: Kealia Watt was the lone goal scorer for the Red Stars in a gritty team win as Chicago defeated the Orlando Pride on the road 1-0 Friday, October 29.
NJ/NY: Carli Lloyd scored in the 53rd minute of play as NJ/NY Gotham FC drew level with Racing Louisville 1-1 Sunday, October 31.
Storylines
2021 Season Series: The Red Stars and Gotham FC will play for the fourth time in 2021 after facing each other three times during the regular season. The teams played two scoreless draws, with Gotham winning 2-1 in the July 25 matchup in Harrison, NJ. This will be the first time the Red Stars have hosted Gotham since Chicago’s home opener Saturday, May 22.
No Place Like Home: Throughout the 2021 regular season, the Red Stars and their fans made SeatGeek Stadium a fortress. Chicago finished 8-2-2 at home this season, registering the best home record in the league. The next best home record was OL Reign, who finished the season 8-3-1 at Cheney Stadium. Of all 28 total goals scored for Chicago, 18 of them were scored on their home field.
A Historical Clinch: The Red Stars clinched their way into the postseason after defeating the Orlando Pride, with this year’s efforts having significant historical context. Chicago became the first team in NWSL history to clinch a playoff berth in six consecutive regular seasons. The last time that the Red Stars appeared in the playoffs following a full regular season was 2019, when the team advanced to their first-ever NWSL Championship game.
What’s At Stake: The winner of Sunday afternoon’s contest between the Red Stars and Gotham FC will travel the following week to Portland to take on the #1 seed Thorns Sunday, November 14. Including last year’s Challenge Cup, this will be the second straight year Chicago and New Jersey/New York meet in the postseason, with Chicago defeating the then Sky Blue FC 3-2 July 22, 2020, behind goals from Bianca St. Georges, Rachel Hill, and Savannah McCaskill.
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