Red Stars defender Julie Johnston facing off against WNY Flash. Photo by Don Mac Gregor.
Bridgeview, IL-Returning home was a great remedy for the Chicago Red Stars. They also returned home to Toyota Park starting their home schedule for 2016. Area native from Naperville, Casey Short made it feel even better scoring the game-winning goal and the only one the club needed on Saturday night.
Chicago Red Stars defeated visiting Western New York Flash 1-0 and they also earned their first victory of the season after losing 3-2 on the road to Houston last weekend.
“The defense was much more organized, they worked hard this past week and fixed some things that we got wrong last week,” Chicago head coach Rory Dames said. “There’s always an adjustment period. (Western New York) was hard to deal with in the box and they big bodies and they pick up a lot of the second balls. Their front runners all pick up pace. I thought we didn’t give up that much compared to last week.”
The Red Stars back line consisted of Arin Gilliland, Samantha Johnston, Julie Johnston and Casey Short. While keeper Alyssa Naeher earned her first clean sheet with Chicago.
“It’s definitely early, but we’ve taken a positive step into the right direction and building off last week,” Naeher said. “What I always remember about playing against Chicago in the past. You need to come in and play against a team that would grind it out all the time and push you for 90 minutes. Now, I can see it from the other side and see the players grinding it out and working very hard for a full 90-minute game. It’s good to be on this side of it.
“Julie (Johnston) is definitely the leader in the back being here three to four years now. It’s definitely, something that everyone has to chip in with the organization, communication and what can evolve.”
Defender Casey Short made her way forward for the Red Stars and found herself contributing by scoring the lone goal in the 28th minute. She hit a shot that had a bit of help from a former Chicago player Abby Erceg, as it deflected off her foot and found the back of the net.
“The buildup was great and we got a great combination play,” Short said. “It was good to finally put one in and to also get a clean sheet.”
On the other side of the field, Western New York was coming off a 
stunning season opening victory over FC Kansas City. But the Flash couldn’t sustain the same type of effort against the Red Stars.
“I really thought it was the tale of two halves,” Western New York Flash head coach Paul Riley said. “First half, (Chicago) was the better team. We really didn’t get out of the gate. We struggled not playing together and looked tired. Our pressure last week looked really good in Kansas City. Second half, I thought we played really well, we got into them a little bit. I thought we chased the game in the last 10 to 15 that created two to three chances. It’s early in the season, we’ve got a young team and we just have to be plugging along finding our feet. We did come on the road to two tough places.”
Chicago Red Stars are hosting the newest team in the NWSL, the Orlando Pride, on Sunday May 1st at Toyota Park, kick-off at 5 p.m.
“We just need to continue building off these results,” Dames said. “(Orlando) had quality all over the field. They have a player up front that is dangerous/ We’ll be aware of they have and what they do. We’ll just continue to work on things that we need to do.”
SCORING SUMMARY:
CHI-Casey Short (unassisted) 28′
BOOKING SUMMARY:
None.
CHICAGO RED STARS (4-4-2): #1-Alyssa Naeher; #3-Arin Gilliand, #8-Julie Johnston, #16-Samantha Johnson, #6-Casey Short; #24-Danielle Colaprico, #4-Alyssa Mautz, #10-Vanessa DiBernardo, #11-Sophia Huerta, #12-Cara Walls (#7-Taylor Comeau 57′, #5-Katie Naughton 92′), #23-Christian Press (C)
Subs not used: #18-Michelle Dalton, #14-Sarah Gorden, #15-Courtney Raetzman, #34-Mary Luba, #2-Jen Hoy.
WESTERN NEW YORK FLASH (4-4-2): #1 Sabrina D’Angelo, #2-MIchaela Hahn (#16-Lady Andrade 46′), #4-Elizabeh Eddy (#3-Makenzy Doniak 80′, #5-Samantha Mewis, #6-Abby Erceg, #8-Alanna Kennedy, #9-Lynn Williams, #13-Abby Dahlkemper, #14-Jessica McDonald, #19-Adriana Leon (#11-Taylor Smith 62′), #25-Mer Speck.
Subs not used: #28-Britt Eckerstrom, #23-Courtney Niemiec, #10-Halimaltu Ayinde, #17-Kristen Hamilton.
TOTAL SHOTS: CHI 13-12 WNY
SHOTS ON GOAL: CHI 6-7 WNY
FOULS: CHI 3-5 WNY
OFFSIDES: CHI 3-5 WNY
CORNER KICKS: CHI 4-9 WNY
SAVES: CHI 6-6 WNY
Weather: Mostly clear and 58.
Woman of the Match: Casey Short (CHI)
Chicago Red Stars
