The lone goal of the match was made by Sam Kerr of Chicago after a poor clearance by the Seattle keeper (photo by Don Mac Gregor).
BRIDGEVIEW, IL—Just what Chicago was after. Three points and another Sam Kerr game-winning goal was enough for the Red Stars taking a 1-0 shutout victory over the visiting Seattle Reign FC at Toyota Park on Saturday night.
However, the Red Stars lost a pair of key starting players during the match. Arin Gilliland and Danielle Colaprico both left due to head injuries and left some concern for the club.
“This three points were important,” Chicago Red Stars coach Rory Dames said. “If you were going to tell me that we were going to lose Arin and Dani during the game and still find a way to win. Credit to Seattle, we know all too well of the Wednesday to Saturday set up is like. Credit to our group, In the second half we got higher on (Seattle) and found our way in. We found the goal. How big of a win is it? I think the way we won the game than the actual win itself is bigger.”
Red Stars lost one of its defenders Gilliland to an injury late in the first half. Gilliland had a collision with Seattle’s Stephanie Catley in the back when Chicago was on a counter attack in the 35th minute. She had to be helped off the field from emergency medical staff into an ambulance with an apparent head injury and taken to an area hospital for precautionary measures.
In a scary moment, Red Star Arin Gilliland had to be taken to the hospital for observation after a possible spinal injury (photo by Don Mac Gregor).
“Arin went to the hospital and that was precautionary,” Dames said. “She was responsive and passed all the tests. She didn’t hit heads, she hurt her neck on the contact I think. She was a little frantic when they got out to her and once she settled down, settled in, she was okay. The doctor didn’t want to mess with it. She was responsive, she could move all her limbs. It scared her and it honestly scared us.”
Colaprico also left the match in the 66th minute after a collision with the Reign’s Jessica Fishlock. Colaprico was able to walk off the field but and was checked for concussion protocol.
“She was up and walking around,” Dames added. “Dani had a headache and when she got up she was a little woozy. We were never going to mess with that. So there were some big challenges in the game.
Kerr scored her ninth goal of the season and her 51st of her career after a hat trick last weekend against Sky Blue FC. She found the game-winner in the 87th minute after taking a header pass from Yuki Nagasato. Kerr beat the Reign defense and slotted the ball just under the legs of Seattle goalkeeper Michelle Betos.
“It’s always nice to score in the last few minutes,” Kerr said. “Yuki (Nagasato) is an unbelievable player and has done amazing things in her career. She’s just a team player and will do anything for the team. She deserves all the credit she’s getting and is flying under the radar.
“I just saw the keeper (after I got the ball) and have been struggling with my one on ones. I was kind of practicing during the week and trying to get it out of my head. It was a good run for me with confidence too going forward.”
Red Stars’ goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher preserved the clean sheet making three stops in the match.
“We finished with a shutout against a good attacking team like Seattle,” Naeher said. “They always create good opportunities and chances. Anytime you can come out with a shutout, it’s good. I think it was emotional with Gilliland going out at the beginning and was playing great. Props to Sarah (Gorden) for stepping in and didn’t miss a beat. That’s not an easy position to come into to and Casey (Short) getting back into it has been solid back there. We’ve been organized and staying together.”
For Chicago, getting this victory has moved them into a three-way battle for the second spot in the standings behind league leading North Carolina (14-1-3, 45 points). Seattle (8-4-5, 29 points) sits one point ahead of Orlando (8-6-4, 28 points) and Chicago (7-4-7).
The Reign have been on a roll being unbeaten over its last four matches at (3-0-1), but on a short week and playing this past Wednesday, fatigue caught up to the club in the later stages.
Chicago forward Yuki Nagasato (photo by Don Mac Gregor).
“There was a lot but the team battled hard,” Seattle Reign FC head coach Vlatko Andondvski said. “We were organized, we were disciplined and worked extremely hard at the end the fatigue kicked in. It’s not the physical fitness as much as the mental fatigue. We made what I say a rookie mistake and it’s something that we should never make. You give Sam Kerr a little space behind you and she will punish you and that’s what happened.”
Seattle will be on the road in Orlando next Saturday afternoon while the Red Stars have a weekend off and don’t play until July 28th hosting Sky Blue FC.
SCORING SUMMARY:
CHI-Sam Kerr (Yuki Nagasato) 87
BOOKING SUMMARY:
SEA-Jess Fishlock (caution, unsporting behavior) 35
CHICAGO RED STARS (4-2-3-1): #1-Alyssa Naeher; #3- Arin Gilliland (#14-Sarah Gorden 44), #5-Katie Naughton, #6-Casey Short, #8-Julie Ertz; #24-Danielle Colaprico (#15-Michele Vasconcelios 66), #13-Morgan Brian; #10-Vanessa DiBernardo, #12-Yuki Nagasato, #4-Alyssa Mautz (#22-Rosie White 85); #20-Sam Kerr
Subs not used: #2-Nikki Stanton, #19-Summer Green, #21-Emily Boyd, #23-Brooke Elby.
SEATTLE REIGN FC (4-3-3): #18-Michelle Betos; #7-Steph Cately, #3-Lauren Barnes, #4-Megan Oyster, #8-Theresa Nielsen; #10-Jess Fishlock, #6-Allie Long, #17-Beverly Yanez (#19-Kristen McNabb 86); #15-Megan Rapinoe, #14-Jodie Taylor (#22-Jasmyne Spencer 70), #9-Nahomi Kawasumi (#12-Adriana Leon 56)
Subs not used: #1-Lydia Williams, #21-Chrsten Westphal, #24-Alyssa Kleiner.
TOTAL SHOTS: CHI 13-19 SEA
SHOTS ON GOAL: CHI 6-3 SEA
FOULS: CHI 9-14 SEA
OFFSIDES: CHI 3-3 SEA
CORNER KICKS: CHI 3-3 SEA
SAVES: CHI 3-5 SEA
Referee: Natalie Simon
Assistant Referees: Maggie Short, Kali Terry
4th Official: Rebecca Pagan
Weather: Mostly Cloudy and 80º
Attendance: 3,375
Woman of the Match: Sam Kerr (CHI)
All pictures by Don Mac Gregor
