CHICAGO, Ill. (July 2, 2021) - Kayla Sharples’ “Player of the Match” worthy defense, along with Cassie Miller’s first NWSL regular season clean sheet, propel the Red Stars to a 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit.
KEY MOMENTS
33’ - Kayla Sharples receives a cross from a Mallory Pugh corner kick and heads in the net to give the Red Stars the lead. The goal was later changed to an own goal on Washington’s Julia Roddar.
49’ - Kealia Watt attempts a curled shot from inside the left corner of the box, but Washington’s Aubrey Bledsoe gets a hand on it to prevent a second Chicago goal.
74’ - Excellent ball movement from Pugh and Rachel Hill leads to a shot by Watt that hits the crossbar and into the net but was not ruled a goal.
GAME NOTES
Kayla Sharples was a consistent force on defense for the Red Stars, getting in the middle of Washington’s attacks and stopping the Spirit before any momentum was to be had. Sharples finished the game defensively as the team leader in clearances with eight and in blocks with 5, two interceptions, and two tackles. She also led the team with 74 touches and went a perfect 9-9 in her duels, five of them coming in the air.
Casey Krueger’s probable final game for the Red Stars before joining the US Women’s National Team heading to Tokyo was another all-around performance. Krueger ended her night with three clearances and an interception and tackle each while tallying 22 passes and 46 touches.
Cassie Miller’s first NWSL regular season couldn’t have gone any better, as the Red Stars’ keeper earned her first career clean sheet in the regular season. Miller made one key save to keep the team ahead. She also registered a catch, participating in an all around team effort that kept the Spirit’s offensive in check and ultimately halting their unbeaten run coming into the game.
Next Game
The Chicago Red Stars return home on Sunday, July 11th at 5pm as they take on the Houston Dash as part of the team’s Green Game.
Washington Spirit vs Chicago Red Stars July 2, 2021 Segra Field (Leesburg, VA)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Washington Spirit 0 0 0
Chicago Red Stars 1 0 1
Goal Summary CHI: Roddar 33’ (own goal)
Lineup WAS: GK Bledsoe, D Staab, D McGrady (Biegalski 80’), D Roddar (Heilferty 67’), D Nielsen (Yokoyama 80’), M Bailey, M Sullivan, M Nagasato, M Huster, F Rodman (McKeown 61’), F Hatch, F Sanchez
CHI: GK Miller, D Krueger, D Sharples, D Sharples, D Gorden, M Woldmoe, M DiBernardo, M Gautrat, F Pugh (Johnson 90+3’), F Watt (Mautz 84’), F Doniak (Hill 70’)
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