Red Stars Doomed by Own Goal, Lose 1-0 to Angel City

Match Observations

Alyssa Naeher made a massive stop in the 14th minute to deny Angel City on the first scoring chance of the match for either side. Jasmyne Spencer got her head on the end of a cross from Madison Curry on the left side and Spencer’s effort was goal-bound before Naeher leaped to her left and parried the effort over the net. Spencer will wish she did better with her shot but Naeher did well to cover a lot of ground to keep the match level.

Chicago’s first chance came from the second-year duo of Penelope Hocking and Ally Schlegel. Hocking headed a cross over to her former college teammate in the 18th minute but Schlegel’s effort rang off the side-netting. After having very little possession (Chicago only had the ball 20% of the time through the first 20 minutes) the half chance from Hocking and Schlegel was a welcome sight.

Alyssa Thompson and Sydney Leroux nearly combined for a great goal in the 24th minute. Jasmyne Spencer played a ball to Thompson down the right flank, catching the winger in stride as she made her way toward the end line. Thompson’s cross met the head of a diving Leroux but her effort flew just wide of the net. Angel City caught Chicago off guard on that chance and would’ve been up a goal if Leroux’s effort was on target.

Tatumn Milazzo made her first start of the season against Angel City and came up with a massive goal-line clearance in the 32nd minute. Meggie Dougherty-Howard’s shot deflected off Milazzo and was heading into the corner of Chicago’s net before the former South Carolina Gamecock dove and cleared the ball out of play despite Alyssa Thompson bearing down on the loose ball.

Angel City finally took the lead in the 40th minute through an own goal from Chicago’s Maxi Rall. Jenna Bike conceded a foul that resulted in a yellow card for the Red Stars’ number 24 and the subsequent free kick from Claire Emslie created chaos in front of Chicago’s goal. The ball bounced off Rall and into Chicago’s goal to give the visitors the 1-0 lead before halftime.

Chicago didn’t have much offensively in the first half and failed to hit the target with any of their four efforts while only maintaining possession 32% of the time. The visitors had four shots as well but hit the target twice alongside Rall’s own goal and Milazzo’s near-own goal.

Ally Schlegel nearly tied the match in the 55th minute. Sam Staab played a ball from near midfield over the top of Angel City’s defense, finding Schlegel in the penalty area. Schlegel’s header beat goalkeeper Didi Haracic but rang off the crossbar before being cleared away. It was the best goal-scoring opportunity that Chicago had in the match up to that point.

Sam Staab’s left boot created another chance for Chicago in the 63rd minute. After collecting a half-cleared throw, Staab cut around her defender and played a cross that was headed to Jenna Bike at the far post. Bike’s effort went just wide but it was another chance created from very little by Staab.

Shea Groom made her season debut on Saturday night, replacing Julia Bianchi in the 69th minute, and nearly created a goal a few moments later. Groom made a run up the pitch in the 74th minute, stopping 25 yards from goal before playing a cross to the left side of Angel City’s penalty area. The ball met the head of Ava Cook but her shot lacked power and was saved easily by Didi Haracic.

Naeher denied Angel City from a great chance to go up 2-0 in the 88th minute. Clarisse Le Bihan’s corner kick was met in the air by Amandine Henry, but Alyssa Naeher was there to deny Henry’s header.

Chicago outshot Angel City 10-7 overall but only hit the target a single time in the match while their opponents forced Alyssa Naeher to make two saves.

Sam Staab set a NWSL record by starting and playing in her 94th consecutive NWSL regular season match. Staab was once again heavily involved in everything for the Red Stars while playing the entire match. She completed 48/56 passes (nine in the final third), had 74 touches, four recoveries, two clearances and won two duels, per fbref.

Chicago was without Mal Swanson and Nádia Gomes after both returned from international duty this week with the United States and Portugal, respectively. Red Stars head coach Lorne Donaldson said post-match that Swanson, who was listed as questionable with a hip injury on the availability report, won’t be out long-term and this was more precautionary after she’d played a lot with the USWNT.

Jenna Bike was the best player on the pitch for the Red Stars against Angel City. Bike had 41 touches (three in Angel City’s penalty area), six recoveries, won six duels and was fouled five times, two of which resulted in yellow cards for the visitors. Her energy is essential according to Red Stars head coach Lorne Donaldson.

“She gives us a lot of energy, nonstop,” said Donaldson post-match. “She’s like the Energizer Bunny for us right now. You have to give her credit. She’s gonna get the opportunity. But I tell you what, it’s hard taking her off the field right now because of what she brings to the team right now, that energy and just getting involved in everything. You love to see it because she’s a great human being and she’s having some success.”

What’s On Tap Next?

The Red Stars will travel to Washington to take on Seattle Reign FC on April 21. The match is scheduled to kick off at 5:00 PM CT and will be broadcast everywhere on NWSL+ and locally on Marquee Sports Network.