Red Stars Attack, but Portland Prevails

BRIDGEVIEW, IL–Chicago Red Stars didn’t want to see another loss, but they fought with an attacking style against one of the better teams in the NWSL being Portland.

The Thorns in the long run held off the host Red Stars 3-2 at SeatGeek Stadium on Sunday evening.

“We go through the same process that we’re going through,” Chicago head coach Chris Petrucelli said. “I think that there were some positives. I think we looked like a team that was capable of being dangerous. Over the last couple of games, we haven’t looked like that. We created scoring chances and scored a couple against a pretty good team.”

However, Chicago might have lost one of its starting players Arin Wright for a period of time with an injury in the second half.

“I know that she’s being evaluated and taken to the hospital at this point,” Petrucelli said. “It’s her leg somewhere, just don’t know where. The initial thought was a concussion, but we don’t know in the end that it might be more of her leg.”

Portland’s Sophia Smith found the opening goal in the 43rd-minute by slotting a low shot inside the post off a pass from Natalia Kuikka for a 1-0 advantage.

Hina Sugila added a second Thorns’ goal in the 63rd minute off a pass from Morgan Weaver in front o of the Red Stars goal.

In the 65th minute, the Red Stars’ Wright moved into the box was hit by the Thorns’ keeper Bella Bixby’s elbow across her forehead while going for the ball on the play which a penalty kick was awarded. Wright was on the ground for a few minutes and needed medical attention. She was put on a stretcher, carried over to the sideline, and taken to the locker room. Chicago’s Ella Stevens followed up with the penalty kick goal that cut the lead to 2-1.

Portland answered back in the 75th minute when Christine Sinclair fired a shot from up top of the box for a 3-1 advantage. Crystal Dunn picked up the assist.

On the attack, the Red Stars pulled back within a goal at 3-2. Julie Bianchi served a corner kick towards the back post, Ally Schlegel scored on a header.

“It felt different and I’m not going to lie,” St. Georges said. “When it became 3-1, usually in past games, here we go again. You can feel our shoulders going down. But on this one there was a different energy. It’s a belief and it’s halfway through the season. We still have a chance, there still life and it’s not impossible. The best thing is to keep believing and I think things just kicked in.”

In the 89th minute, Bianca St. Georges hit a shot from about 15 yards out that found the near post. On the carom off the post Jill Aguilera sent a return shot over the crossbar.

Portland (6-2-4, 22 points) picked up a good victory on its long road trip after a tough loss recently to Orlando.

“First and foremost, 3 points is huge for us,” Portland head coach Mike Norris said. “It was a bit more challenging than it should’ve been. We had a two-goal stretch that we lost a bit of control. Until we got back the control at the end.”

The Thorns return back home against the Washington Spirit on Friday at 7:30 p.m. PT.

While the Red Stars (3-8-1, 10 points) will be on the road to play at Gotham FC at 4:30 p.m. CT.

POR-Sophia Smith (Natalia Kuikka) 43

POR-Hina Sugila (Morgan Weaver) 63

CHI- Ella Stevens (PK) 72

POR-Christine Sinclair (Crystal Dunn) 75

CHI-Ally Schlegel (Julie Bianchi) 82