Red Star Julie Ertz takes on FC Kansas City to win possession (Photo by Don MacGregor).
BRIDGEVIEW, IL–Julie Ertz (nee Johnston) was out of training until Thursday of this week after picking up a knock last Saturday against Houston. Red Stars head coach Rory Dames still wanted her on the pitch, but didn’t want to disrupt his planned back four or disrupt Vanessa DiBernardo and Danielle Colaprico from their spots. So, Ertz was in the attacking midfield position which proved super effective as the Red Stars defeated FC Kansas City, 1-0, at Toyota Park.
Ertz capped off a dominating first half by the Red Stars by connecting on a cross from Sofia Huerta and scoring from point-blank range in the 41st minute.
Christen Press had chances to add to the Red Stars’ lead, but missed a penalty wide in the 48th minute (which Ertz drew) and striking off the post in the 65th after rounding FCKC keeper Nicole Barnhart.
Chances for FCKC were few and far between. The closest they got was Shea Groom cutting through the Red Stars defense to connect on a long ball, but shooting high from 12 yards out. The visitors had just three shots on target while the hosts held on for the victory.
Dames talked about putting Ertz in the #10 role.
“[Julie] wasn’t here in the preseason,” said Dames. “We had to figure how to get all our best players onto the field. She adds something different in the final third. She’s still probably not 90 minutes fit.
I think between Dani [Colaprico], Vanessa [DiBernardo], and Julie; Julie could drop to the #6, Danie can bump to the #8, Vanessa could go to the #10. You could put them in a block side-by-side with Julie and Dani and bump Vanessa higher and shift out. It just gives us a lot of things.”
With Ertz in the midfield, Katie Naughton partned Samantha Johnson in central defense. Dames said both have improved their games after playing overseas in the offseason and in the preseason.
The Red Stars travel to Portland next Saturday for a 3pm kickoff on Lifetime.
Red Star Captain Christen Press battles with FC Kansas City midfielder Yael Averbuch (Photo by Don MacGregor).
SCORING SUMMARY:
CHI-Julie Ertz (Huerta) 41
BOOKING SUMMARY:
None
CHICAGO RED STARS (4-4-2): #1-Alyssa Naeher; #3-Arin Gilliand, #5-Katie Naughton, #16-Samantha Johnson, #6-Casey Short; #24-Danielle Colaprico, #8-Julie Ertz (#13-Morgan Proffitt 87), #10-Vanessa DiBernardo; #11-Sofia Huerta (#4-Alyssa Mautz 87), #8-Jen Hoy (#9-Stephanie McCaffrey 71), #23-Christen Press
Subs not used: #18-Michele Dalton, #14-Sarah Gorden, #19-Summer Green, #34-Mary Luba
FC KANSAS CITY (4-2-3-1): #18-Nicole Barnhart; #13-Brittany Taylor, #4-Becky Sauerbrunn (C), #10-Yael Averbuch, #31-Christina Gibbons; #9-Lo’eau LaBonta, #3-Rebecca Moros (#21-Caroline Flynn 58); #2-Shea Groom, #6-Katie Bowen, #88-Alexa Newfield (#15-Erika Tymrak 58); #14-Sydney Leroux (#44-Maegan Kelly 74)
Subs not used: #19-Cat Parkhill, #22-Brianne Ratcliffe
TOTAL SHOTS: CHI 17-11 KC
SHOTS ON GOAL: CHI 5-3 KC
FOULS: CHI 11-5 KC
OFFSIDES: CHI 0-1 KC
CORNER KICKS: CHI 5-5 KC
SAVES: CHI 3-4 KC
Referee: Greg Dopka
Referee’s Assistants: Joshua Haimes, Jeremy Kieso
Fourth Official: Rebecca Pagan
Attendance: 2,153
Woman of the Match: Julie Ertz (CHI)
Chicago Red Stars
