Chicago Red Stars 0-0 Kansas City Current
BRIDGEVIEW, IL—The Chicago Red Stars got their first point in NWSL Challenge Cup play this year, but they are still looking for their first goal, let alone first win. The Red Stars and Kansas City Current played to a goalless draw at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview.
Both teams had numerous chances for the breakthrough. For the current, their best chance came from the penalty spot in the 24th minute after Kayla Sharples was called for a handball in the area. Lo’eau LaBonta took the spot kick, but Emily Boyd was able to push it onto the post and keep it out for her first career penalty save.
“I just go with [my]gut,” said Boyd on the save. “I had a decision and I changed my mind.”
Boyd would make five saves on the night and picked up her third clean sheet in all competitions.
The Red Stars came closest late in the match with Adriana Franch off her line. Yuki Nagasato had an open net to head in to, but Elizabeth Ball would get a head to her shot and put it behind for a corner that came to nothing. Franch would end up with three saves for the Current on the evening.
“I thought we played hard,” said Red Stars head coach Chris Petrucelli. “[We] started a little bit slow, but as the game went on, I thought we grew into the game. We had them pinned in for most of the second half and created some chances and we were a little bit unfortunate not to score. But I was pretty happy overall with the way we played.”
With one more match in the Challenge Cup next Saturday at home to Houston (7pm, Paramount+), it’s another opportunity to get better as the season resumes on August 20th.
“We’ve approached each one of these games the same way,” said Petrucelli. “It’s a chance for us to get better. We have gotten better over the course of these matches. It’s another opportunity for us to see some different things and try some different things and continue to improve.”
SCORING SUMMARY:
None
BOOKING SUMMARY:
KC-Isabel Rodriguez (caution, tactical foul) 15
KC-Jenna Winebrenner (caution, tactical foul) 73
CHI-Biance St. Georges (caution, reckless tackle) 75
KC-Rylan Childers (caution, dissent) 82
CHI-Jenna Bike (caution, reckless tackle) 90
CHICAGO RED STARS (3-4-3): #21-Emily Boyd; #28-Kayla Sharples, #32-Taylor Malham, #12-Tierna Davidson; #5-Julia Bianchi, #22-Bianca St. Georges (#24-Jenna Bike 81), #4-Cari Roccaro, #6-Casey Krueger; #25-Ava Cook (#34-Allie Schlegel 70), #7-Yuki Nagasato, #55-Penelope Hocking (#15-Sarah Griffith 62)
Subs not used: #30-Kelsey Dossey, #14-Jill Aguilera, #29-Samantha Feller, #16-Sophie Jones, #31-Amanda Kowalski, #13-Addie McCain
KANSAS CITY CURRENT (4-2-3-1): #21-Adrianna Franch; #18-Isabel Rodriguez, #24-Gabrielle Robinson, #7-Elizabeth Ball, #8-Kate Del Fava; #22-Alexis Loera (#19-Jenna Winebrenner 64), #10-Lo’eau LaBonta (#6-Rylan Childers 46); #9-Mimmi Larsson (#26-Addisyn Merrick 77), #5-Cece Kizer (#4-Hailie Mace 64), #77-Alexa Spaanstra; #25-Kristin Hamilton
Subs not used: #38-Cassie Miller, #29-Jordan Silkowitz, #14-Chardonnay Curran
TOTAL SHOTS: CHI 13-11 KC
SHOTS ON GOAL: CHI 3-5 KC
FOULS: CHI 16-11 KC
OFFSIDES: CHI 0-1 KC
CORNER KICKS: CHI 5-4 KC
SAVES: CHI 5-3 KC
Referee: Abdou Ndiaye
Assistant Referees: Art Arustamayan, Ben Rigel
4th Official: Peter Bernardy
VAR: Kevin Stott
AVAR: Robi Hullner
Weather: Clear and 78º
Attendance: 2,959
Woman of the Match: Emily Boyd (CHI)
