Fifth place Chicago Red Stars took on eighth place FC Kansas City in an attempt to reach a playoff spot this Saturday night. Both teams looking to redeem themselves from both the previous week’s results and the 0-0 result of the two teams’ last meeting, the match proved to be a tight contest throughout, with both teams seeing shots up into the final minutes.
Even possession in the first half leads to stalemate
The Red Stars came out swinging, pressing high on the Kansas side early in the half. Controlling possession, they earned themselves early free kicks and corners but were unable to finish them. Arin Gilliland stood out as well, helping to keep the ball in the midfield, and also helping press forward towards the goal. Kansas City remained competitive, though, with Frances Silva combining with Tiffany McCarty, breaking down Chicago’s defense to get a shot off that was just deflected by Dalton. Chicago got another close chance in the 28th minute, with Sofia Huerta finding Vanessa DiBernardo, whose shot was saved by Nicole Barnhart. Possession continued to be back and forth, with both teams connecting strings of passes until the 35th minute. Dibernardo had another chance, but she sent it just wide. Red Stars had a flurry of chances from Cara Walls, Stephanie McCaffrey, and Casey Short, but are unable to capitalize and end the half 0-0
McCaffery goal makes the difference in the second half
Once again, the Red Stars came into the half with full force making an early bid towards goal but were unable to send the ball in. McCaffrey continued to make an impact offensively, ripping a shot in the 49th minute that sailed too high. FCKC tried to counter but didn’t succeed. Instead, Gilliland connected with Walls, who played it back to DiBernardo. The Illinois native sent in a beautiful shot, but an equally beautiful save from Barnhart kept them out still. Walls was on fire, finding DiBernardo for a shot in the 52nd, and two minutes later finding Huerta. Huerta’s shot was deflected by Barnhart right into the feet of McCaffrey, who finally found the back of the net in the 54th minute. It was the Boston transplant’s first goal in Chicago, and first of the NWSL season.
Kansas City’s Yael Averbuch attempted to get her team on the board with free kicks in the 58th and 60th but sent it out both times. McCaffrey, in search of a brace, dribbled into the box in the 63rd, but also dribbled straight into Averbuch, who cleared the ball. McCaffrey, who has only been with the team for just over a week, continued to be active offensively, continuously getting shots off and causing problems for the opposing defenders. Chicago made three subs towards the end of the game, with Alyssa Mautz coming in for Huerta in the 72nd, Jen Hoy for goal-scorer McCaffrey in the 75th, and Courtney Raetzman for Comeau in the 91st. The fresh legs proved to be effective in helping the Red Stars preserve their lead, and Mautz broke through the defense in the 88th minute, getting her team one last shot on goal before the game was over.
Tough contest for both, but Chicago comes out on top
Despite Chicago getting most of the action in the second half, Kansas City put up a good fight and maintained almost equal possession throughout the game. The match was tightly fought, but it was the actions of Gilliland, DiBernardo, Huerta, and McCaffrey that decided the match in Chicago’s favor.