CHICAGO, Ill. (August 18, 2021) - Kealia Watt scores in the 57th minute as the Red Stars draw level with Racing Louisville 1-1 in NWSL play, but fall 5-4 in penalties counting towards The Women’s Cup. Chicago will face Paris St. Germain, who also fell in penalties against FC Bayern Munich, in the consolation game Saturday, August 21.
KEY MOMENTS
10’ - Louisville’s Ebony Salmon scores a close-range shot to give Racing an early 1-0 lead.
23’ - Arin Wright received the through ball from Mallory Pugh and takes a shot, but the ball rolls just wide of the far post.
57’ - Kealia Watt follows up a Michelle Betos save and finds the back of the net to even the score.
63’ - Pugh drives to the inside post of the net and takes a shot, but Betos knocks it out of play
90+2’ - Pugh has two chances get deflected that would’ve given Chicago the win.
Penalty Kicks - Louisville advances to The Women’s Cup Championship after defeating the Red Stars 5-4 in penalties.
GAME NOTES
Morgan Gautrat made her return to the Red Stars starting lineup after missing the previous game due to an injury suffered during the August 8 matchup vs Orlando. Gautrat finished with the team lead in touches (58) and passes (43), 23 passes in the opposing half, three tackles and a shot.
Arin Wright would not let a bandaged leg prevent her from playing in her home state for the first time in her professional career. Wright, a Lexington native, had a shot in the 23rd minute that narrowly missed the far post. She would finish the game with three tackles, 57 touches, 11 duels (a team-high) and 31 passes.
Kealia Watt came alive as the game progressed, eventually scoring the game-tying goal in the 57th that would earn Chicago a point in regulation. Watt also finished the game with six total shots (a team-high), 22 passes, two crosses, 45 touches, three aerial duels and also contributed defensively with three tackles.
Tierna Davidson, Sarah Woldmoe, Nikki Stanton and Kealia Watt all scored in the penalty shootout at the conclusion of regulation in order to decide who plays in The Women’s Cup final, but Louisville scored five to advance.
Next Game
The Red Stars take on Paris Saint-Germain in the Third Place game of The Women’s Cup Saturday, August 21 at 2 pm CT.
Chicago Red Stars at Racing Louisville FC August 18, 2021 Lynn Family Stadium (Louisville, KY)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Chicago Red Stars 0 1 1 Racing Louisville FC 1 0 1
Scoring Summary (Regulation) LOU: Salmon 10’ CHI: Watt 57’ Scoring Summary (Penalties)
LOU: Nagasato, McCaskill, Miramontez, Milliet, McClure CHI: Davidson, Woldmoe, Stanton, Watt Disciplinary Report: LOU: Salmon 57’ (yellow), Riehl 65’ (yellow), Nagasato 90’ (yellow)
CHI: Bench 82’ (yellow)
Lineup LOU: GK Betos, D Riehl, D Bonner, D Fox, D Olofsson, M Salmon (McClure 78’), M Simon (Miramontez 72’), M Matthews (Milliet 59’), M Kizer (Ekic 72’), F Nagasato, F McCaskill
CHI: GK Miller, D Krueger, D Davidson, D Gorden, D Wright (Milazzo 74’), M Colaprico, M Gautrat (Stanton 90+2’), F Johnson (Hill 45’), F Pugh, F Doniak (Woldmoe 45’), F Watt
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