Gotham FC One Better Over Red Stars

BRIDGVIEW, IL–Trying to get back on the winning track was a just a goal away for Chicago in a 2-1 defeat by Gotham FC on Sunday at SeatGeek Stadium.

The Red Stars fell behind by a pair of goals in the opening half and managed to get one back in the second half. But they were pushing in trying to get the equalizer and came up one goal short.

“It’s obvious that we’ve given up too many goals and you want to score more than the other teams or you give up less,” Chicago Red Stars coach Chris Petrucelli said. “It’s been a bit of a struggle for us. A lot of players left in the offseason, it’s hard to replace them and the loss of Mallory (Swanson). We’re not done and the season is long from over with a lot of games left. We do have a core group of leaders that with Alyssa Naeher at the top of the group. Nobody is quitting or giving up.”

The Red Stars have shown their inability to play at a level that will bring them some better results on the pitch.

“We struggle to keep the ball and get pressure up the field,’ Petrucelli said. “We’re looking at how we can be successful and are there other ways. Our team is built to keep the ball, So, we have to find ways to do better.”

Gotham FC got their goals starting with one in the fifth minute from Jenna Nighswonger that found it way past Chicago defender Tierna Davidson.

Then, the other goal was scored by Lynn Williams in the 47th minute before the end of the half for the 2-0 advantage.

The Red Stars got a goal back in the 53rd minute from Ella Stevens on a header that was from a Julia Bianchi corner kick.

Yuki Nagasato made her 100th career start in the NWSL and had made 79 appearances with the Red Stars.

Bianchi and newly acquired Sandra Starke each made their first starts with Chicago

The Red Stars (1-4-1, 4 points) will next take on Racing Louisville on Friday on the road starting at 6:30 p.m. CT, while Gotham FC (4-2, 12 points) will host Orlando Pride next Sunday at 5:30 ET.