BRIDGEVIEW, IL-The 2021 Challenge Cup is turning out to be a big challenge for teams in the West to get points in their first few matches.
Chicago and Kansas City each were able to pick up a point in a 1-1 draw at SeatGeek Stadium on Wednesday night. The result, coupled with Portland’s win against OL Reign, eliminates both teams from advancing in the Challenge Cup. The match was moved from Tuesday to Wednesday, because of inclement weather in the area.
The Red Stars (0-1-2, 2 points) and Kansas City (0-1-1, 1 point) are still in search for their first win in the tournament. However, Chicago had its National Team players back in the line-up in Alyssa Naeher, Julie Ertz, and Tierna Davidson.
Julie Ertz returned to action with the Red Stars on Wednesday (Photo: Leslie Smith).
The match was scoreless until the 80th minute. That’s when Kansas City’s Amy Rodriguez scored on a misplayed ball that got by Sarah Gordon and she beat Alyssa Naeher for the opening goal. Keeper Abby Smith was credited with the assist off a long punt.
“Honestly, on that play there was a bit of confusion,” Rodriguez said. “Playing in a quiet stadium such as this one. It was like you were waiting for the refs’ whistle to blow. But, I remember the ball bouncing through the defenders and the goalkeeper having confusion of who would come out to get it. Honestly, I just pounced on it and passed it into the goal.”
On the defensive side, Gordon was caught in a problem and didn’t react to the play like the way she wanted it to happen.
“It was all miscommunication, I thought I heard Alyssa (Naeher) say let it go,” Gordon said. “As you all can see, the ball wasn’t really skipping today. I should’ve continued on the play. It was a total miscommunication and it was my fault. It was an easy play and it should’ve been taken care of. It won’t happen again moving forward.”
Chicago’s Katie Johnson evened the match at 1-1 off a mistake on Kansas City’s defense and put the ball into the back of the net in the 82nd minute. Arin Wright had assisted on the play with a set up chip into the box.
Johnson had subbed in for Mallory Pugh, who was limited to 30 plus minutes coming back from a recent injury. Johnson was able to score her first career goal.
“My goal was to come in and try to watch what was going on,” Johnson said. “Hopefully, I could make a difference. I think, I did that and I thought, I could’ve put one in the first half. But, I was glad I got a goal.”
As a forward attacker, Johnson has been one of many that can fit in the role up top for the Red Stars. But the big difference is which players will be the ones to score goals this season.
“Katie (Johnson) has been really good this year and in the preseason,” Chicago head coach Rory Dames said. “She was good in the Houston game. On both sides of the ball, her work rate, back tackling and counter-pressing. So, it was good to see her get rewarded.”
Chicago will next travel on the road to face OL Reign in their final game of pool play next Tuesday at 9pm CT, while Kansas City will be at home for the first time hosting the Houston Dash at Legends Field next Monday at 7:30pm CT.
SCORING SUMMARY:
KC-Amy Rodriguez (Abby Smith) 80
CHI-Katie Johnson (Arin Wright) 82
BOOKING SUMMARY:
CHI-Danielle Colaprico (yellow, unsporting behavior) 25
CHI-Julie Ertz (yellow, unsporting behavior) 66
KC-Gaby Vincent (yellow, unsporting behavior) 85
CHICAGO RED STARS: #1-Alyssa Naeher, #6-Cassie Krueger, #26-Tierna Davidson, #11- Sarah Gorden, #3-Arin Wright, #8-Julie Ertz, #24-Danielle Colaprico (#7-Nicole Stanton 83), #9-Mallory Pugh (#33-Katie Johnson 33), #10-Vanessa DiBernardo (#16-Sarah Woldmoe 83), #10-Morgan Gautrat (#15-Makenzy Doniak 71), #2-Kealia Watt (#5-Rachel Hill 72).
Subs not used: #32-Zoey Goralski, #19-Sarah Luebbert, #38-Carissa Miller, #28-Kayla Sharples,
KANSAS CITY: #1-Abby Smith, #19-Michelle Maemone, #2-Rachel Corsie, #29-Kate Del Fava, #6-Kate Bowen, #11-Desiree Scott, #9-Lo’Eau Labonta (#66-Chloe Logarzo 75) #14-Gaby Vincent, #15-Michele Vasconcelos (#55-Jordyn Listro 52), #8-Amy Shilling, #99-Victoria Pickett (#21-Marianna Larroquette 94).
Subs not used: #18-Nicole Barnhart, #24-Taylor Leach, #28-Addie McCain, #5-Sydney Miramontez, #4-Ashley Nick, #22-Madeline Nolf.
TOTAL SHOTS: CHI 16-7 KC
SHOTS ON GOAL: CHI 3-2 KC
FOULS: CHI 12-9 KC
OFFSIDES: CHI 1-0 KC
CORNER KICKS: CHI 6-3 KC
SAVES: CHI 1-2 KC
FOULS: CHI 12-9 KC
OFFSIDES: CHI 1-0 KC
CORNER KICKS: CHI 6-3 KC
SAVES: CHI 1-2 KC
Referee:
Assistant Referees:
Assistant Referees:
Fourth Official:
Woman of the Match: Katie Johnson (CHI)
