CHICAGO (April 15th, 2021) - The Chicago Red Stars played a hard-fought battle in their 2021 home debut, keeping the game scoreless for 65 minutes before ultimately giving up a second-half goal to Morgan Weaver to fall to the Portland Thorns 1-0.
KEY MOMENTS
18’ - Kealia Watt’s left-foot shot from inside the box rockets off of Adriana Franch’s gloves, almost putting the Red Stars up early in the game.
29’ - Tatumn Milazzo’s shot from outside of the box just misses an outstretched Franch and the Portland goalpost. 66’ - Portland’s Morgan Weaver scores off an assist from Celeste Boureille on the counter-attack to put the Thorns up by one 90’ - Katie Johnson’s left foot attempt to equalize the game was saved by Franch.
GAME NOTES
After making her first professional appearance as a second-half sub in Chicago’s Challenge Cup opener at Houston, Tatumn Milazzo would make her first professional start in Chicago’s backline for tonight’s game. Milazzo would tally 45 touches, a 75% passing accuracy, and a near highlight-reel goal from outside the box before being subbed off in the 70’ minute.
Sarah Woldmoe would also join Milazzo in the starting lineup, marking her first time in the Red Stars’ starting XI as part of the midfield. Prior to being subbed off in the second half, Woldmoe would contribute 27 passes from the midfield with a 70.4% accuracy with a created chance and nine recoveries.
Kealia Watt consistently found ways to keep the pressure on the Thorns’ backline. In addition to her shot on target in the first half, Watt would total seven crosses from the open play, 48 touches, and won two fouls.
Sarah Gorden provided the Red Stars with stability in the back, keeping Chicago in it throughout the entire game. She would finish the game leading the team in possession gained (16) and duels won percentage of 66.7%.
Next Game
The Red Stars return to SeatGeek Stadium in the 2021 Challenge Cup to take on Kansas City on Tuesday, April 20th at 7:30 pm CT.
Chicago Red Stars vs Kansas City
April 20, 2021
SeatGeek Stadium (Chicago, IL)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Chicago Red Stars 0 0 0
Portland Thorns 0 1 1
Scoring Summary
POR: Weaver 66’ (Boureille)
Disciplinary Report
CHI: Stevens (84’ - yellow card)
POR: Westphal (44’ - yellow card)
CHI: GK Miller, D Krueger, D Gorden, D Milazzo (Johnson 70’), D Wright, M Colaprico (Stanton 79’), M Gautrat , M DiBernardo (Stevens 79’), M Woldmoe (Hill 70’) F Watt, F Doniak (Luebbert 56’)
POR: GK Franch, D Pogarch, D Hubly, D Kuikka, D Westphal (Menges 70’), M Klingenberg, M Rodriguez (Salem 45’), M Boureille, F Weaver, F Everett (Nally 82’), F Lussi
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