Chicago Red Stars 2-2 Houston Dash

The Dash celebrate Kristine Mewis’s goal (photo by Don Mac Gregor).

BRIDGEVIEW, IL—The Chicago Red Stars fell behind twice, they equalized twice, they had a chance to win the game, but it’s yet again just one point at home as the match ended 2-2 against the Houston Dash.

The Dash are 1-3-4 in 7th place while the Red Stars go to 2-2-5, yet will be no worse than fourth by the end of the night.

The Red Stars welcomed back Julie Ertz to the starting lineup, she ended up playing just the first half as was the plan according to Red Stars head coach Rory Dames. Houston once again fielded Rachel Daly in the midfield and that proved to pay more dividends early.

It took just six minutes for Nichelle Prince to spring Daly in behind the Red Stars backline and beat Alyssa Naeher far post to give the Dash the early lead. However, the Dash were pegged back in the 20th minute after Jane Campbell’s errant distribution went straight to Arin Gilliland who then fed Sam Kerr for a tap-in.

Early in the second half, the Dash went ahead again on a free kick straight from the training ground. Rachel Daly sent a low ball to Kyah Simon, who then fed Kristie Mewis for the finish.

“We’ve been practicing it (in training),” said Mewis. “It was really good to get something out of it because sometimes those rarely work. Everything pieced together perfectly and it went perfectly.”

What didn’t go perfectly was a handball in the box against Amber Brooks in the 65th minute and that led to Sofia Huerta converting the spot kick to make it 2-2.

The Red Stars had a chance to win it in stoppage time. Kerr had a point-blank chance to win it, but skied her shot over the bar and the Red Stars would once again not come up with all three points at home.

“Tonight, I would give Houston a lot of credit coming off the midweek game,” said Red Stars head coach Rory Dames. “They are definitely improved from the last time we played them. [Dash head coach Vera Pauw has] done a really good job of getting [the players]to buy into she’s doing and moving the pieces around and getting them organized.”

As for his squad, Dames was not as complimentary.

“I said at the beginning of the season, I thought that we were the sixth best team in the league and my opinion hasn’t changed.”

Sam Kerr was placed on the wing during the match in order to get her to pick up a ball towards goal instead of away from it. Dames admitted that they have not figured out the best way to use her as of yet.

Dash coach Vera Pauw praised her team for getting a point on the road after game in midweek, but not the two goals they conceded.

“Of course, very disappointed for the two goals against,” said Pauw. “There were chances to win this game, but also to lose this game. At the end, Chicago could’ve scored two goals. But I’m so proud of this team because we had only two rest days and we also had to fly. And then showing this power and perseverance to get a result is just amazing.”

The Red Stars played Houston for third and final time this season barring playoffs. Next Saturday, they play Seattle for the first time at Memorial Stadium at 9pm CT. Houston travels to Utah next Saturday at 2:30pm CT on Lifetime.

SCORING SUMMARY:
HOU-Rachel Daly (Prince) 6
CHI-Sam Kerr (Gilliland) 20
HOU-Kristie Mewis (Simon) 48
CHI-Sofia Huerta (penalty kick) 65

BOOKING SUMMARY:
CHI-Sam Johnson (caution, tactical foul) 26
CHI-Taylor Comeau (caution, tactical foul) 59
HOU-Kealia Ohai (caution, reckless tackle) 88

CHICAGO RED STARS (4-3-3): #1-Alyssa Naeher; #7-Taylor Comeau, #5-Katie Naughton (#4-Alyssa Mautz 78), #16-Sam Johnson, #14-Sarah Gorden; #24-Danielle Colparico, #8-Julie Ertz (#2-Nikki Stanton 46), #12-Yuki Nagasato; #3-Arin Gilliland, #11-Sofia Huerta, #20-Sam Kerr

Subs Not Used: #0-Ryann Torrero, #13-Lauren Kaskie, #15-Michele Vasconcelos, #19-Summer Green, #22-Rosie White

HOUSTON DASH (4-2-3-1): #1-Jane Campbell; #18-Kimberly Keever,#22-Amber Brooks, #5-Janine Van Wyk, #4-Allysha Chapman; #19-Kristie Mewis, #9-Haley Hanson; #3-Rachel Daly, #17-Kyah Simon (#6-Meleana Shim 90+2), #14-Nichelle Prince (#12-Veronica Latsko 77); #7-Kealia Ohai

Subs not used: #30-Bianca Henninger, #20-Lindsay Agnew, #2-Michaela Hahn, #11-Thembi Kgatlana, #13-Savannah Jordan

TOTAL SHOTS: CHI 16-8 HOU
SHOTS ON GOAL: CHI 3-3 HOU
FOULS: CHI 9-14 HOU
OFFSIDES: CHI 1-7 HOU
CORNER KICKS: CHI 5-0 HOU
SAVES: CHI 1-1 HOU

Referee: Danielle Chesky
Assistant Referees: Alicia Messer, Gjovalin Bori
Fourth Official: Edgar Osorio
Weather: Rain and 50º
Attendance: 2,372
Woman of the Match: Rachel Daly (HOU)