BRIDGEVIEW, IL–The Chicago Red Stars completed their 2022 league double over Gotham FC, defeating the visitors 2-0 at SeatGeek Stadium Sunday evening.
Chicago controlled the run of play throughout the match and did not concede a single shot on goal.
Six minutes into the contest, Gotham had the first chance of the match. As the ball progressed its way around the Gotham attack, Paige Monahan took two dribbles and unleashed a rocket off her left foot from 20 yards that went just over the bar for a Chicago goal kick.
Chicago wouldn’t let Gotham get comfortable early, allowing the ball to be moved around as the hosts incrementally marched up the pitch. After Kristie Mewis’ foul led to a Chicago free kick in the 9th minute, Mallory Pugh looked to find Bianca St. Georges in the Gotham penalty area, but the feed just missed the outstretched leg of the Chicago forward.
Though the Red Stars were playing at a controlled pace, it was a Gotham mistake that nearly gave the hosts the lead in the 14th minute. Gotham’s keeper Michelle Betos misplayed a back-pass and nearly turned the ball over to Ava Cook in her own penalty area. Fortunately for Betos, Cook was unable to corral the ball and Gotham was able to clear.
Gotham twice nearly opened the scoring in the 18th minute after a free kick from Mewis was deflected out for a corner. The subsequent corner was half-cleared by the Red Stars defense before the ball found its way to Taryn Torres, whose effort from the penalty area was too high.
Chicago then managed a chance of their own. After Gotham failed to clear the ball from their penalty area, the ball fell to Pugh. Pugh dribbled around the Gotham defense to the left side of the box and took a shot that dragged along the face of goal and just missed the far corner.
Less than a minute later, Pugh had another chance. Chicago’s number nine beat her defender to her right, but her near-post shot went off the side netting for a goal kick.
After another run of possession, Chicago nearly scored when Sarah Luebbert found Yuki Nagasato right in front of goal, but the forward’s shot missed the net completely and the game remained scoreless at the first half hydration break.
Luebbert would get the next chance on goal in the 39th minute when she beat her defender on a run down the left side of the penalty area, but the effort ended up in the side netting.
Deep in first half stoppage time, Chicago finally broke through the deadlock. After a series of corners, the ball fell to Danielle Colaprico. Colaprico’s service sent the ball into the far end of the Gotham penalty area, which found the head of Tatumn Milazzo between two defenders and the Orland Park, Illinois-native’s effort beat the keeper and gave the Red Stars the 1-0 lead on the last play of the first half.
Chicago would start the second half on the front foot, winning their fifth corner kick of the match moments after the break. Pugh’s 50th minute corner bent right into the six-yard box, falling right into Betos’ arms, thwarting the Red Stars’ attack.
Pugh would continue to lead the Chicago charge, patrolling both sides of the pitch from her midfield position. In the 56th minute, Pugh elevated a ball into the penalty area that evaded every Gotham defender and fell perfectly to Luebbert. Luebbert’s point-blank effort was right at the keeper and Betos was able to make the easy save for the visitors to keep it a one-goal match.
Pugh again led the Chicago charge in the 64th minute when she made a 40-yard run across the middle of the park before passing it off to St. Georges, whose shot was saved.
Two minutes later, Chicago doubled their lead.
A Gotham foul gave Pugh another chance from a set piece, this time 30 yards from goal. Pugh’s cross fell perfectly between two Gotham defenders and found the head of Ava Cook, whose shot fell into the back of the net to make it 2-0 Chicago in the 66th minute.
Pugh nearly scored a goal of her own in the 79th minute when her shot from close range was deflected wide by a Gotham defender for a Chicago corner. The ensuing corner kick from Pugh forced Betos off her line, but Gotham was able to clear. Betos would finish the match with two saves.
Despite multiple attempts from Chicago to get a third goal, Gotham was able to hold off the Red Stars offense for the rest of the match, ensuring the hosts would secure the 2-0 victory.
Chicago outshot Gotham 15-4, with four of the Red Stars’ shots being on target. Chicago controlled over 60% of possession, never relenting in their effort to add to their tally while completing 480 passes to Gotham’s 317.
Milazzo’s goal was her first of the season and second of her NWSL career. Her only other professional goal came as a substitute on October 10, 2021 during a 3-2 loss to OL Reign. Cook’s goal was her second of the season and her first career goal at home.
“I didn’t feel like we started the game well,” said Red Stars’ Head Coach Chris Petrucelli. “I didn’t feel like we had great energy or were as sharp. But we were able to sort of grind through it.
“The three points are huge. We needed to put ourselves back toward the top of the table to give us a chance.”
It’s Chicago’s third consecutive victory over Gotham overall and fourth straight match that the Red Stars have not been defeated in this series. The Red Stars finish 2022 having taken six points from their two matches against Gotham, outscoring them 5-0 this season.
The Red Stars now start a four-match away trip starting next Sunday at Angel City FC. Kickoff is at 7pm CT on CBS Sports Network.
Chicago Red Stars
