Chicago Red Stars 2-1 Washington Freedom

by Dan Gaichas

 

BRIDGEVIEW, IL--The Chicago Red Stars ended a nine-match winless streak and a goalless streak of 451 minutes in a 2-1 win over the Washington Freedom at Toyota Park.

The Red Stars went on the attack from the start with Carli Lloyd shooting one that was cleared off the line. Crisitane would be twice denied by Freedom keeper Erin McLeod in a space of two minutes early on.

The Freedom had their chances as well as Abby Wambach had a headed chance in the 14th minute that was saved by Red Stars keeper Caroline Jönsson. Jönsson would be forced to make a double save 14 minutes later on Homare Sawa and Lisa De Vanna.

The Freedom would get the first breakthrough when De Vanna found an unmarked Wambach six yards from goal and Wambach would have a tap in for the opening score.

Three minutes before the interval, Cristiane would have yet another opportunity go off the crossbar. However, her efforts finally paid off three minutes into the second half as she managed to backheel a shot from eight yards out after some initial work from Lindsay Tarpley. The goal ended a goalless drought of 451 minutes for the Red Stars.

That would turned to be a pivotal moment in the match according to Wambach.

“Whenever you can come out form halftime and get an early goal like that, especially to tie it up, that definitely shifts the momentum,” said Wambach. “Credit to them. They were in a desperate situation--bottom of the table. They could have gone inside themselves and played out the game. They didn’t.”

The Red Stars continued their onslaught and were rewarded again when Megan Rapinoe sent a cross into the box that found Tarpley. Tarpley then turned round a defender and beat McLeod near post to put the Red Stars ahead.

It is the first time in WPS history that a team has come from behind to take the lead. It would almost be the first time that a team took the lead, lost it, and got back a point as the Freedom had a chance in the third minute of stopagge time, but Homare Sawa’s shot went wide of the target.

The goal in the 48th minute, and eventually the win, felt like a huge weight was lifted off the Red Stars’ backs.

“I was really proud of the way we came together and kept fighting,” said the Red Stars captain Tarpley. “Throughout this whole season we have continued to fight for each other and push through this time.  So to be able to come from behind was a big thing for us.

“It feels good to put the ball in the back of net and to walk out of here with a win.  I think that we’re continuing to hold ourselves to high standards.  We put pressure on ourselves, good pressure and we expect a certain level.  If we don’t reach that level, we’re disappointed.”

And just like Dunga believed his Brazil team would reverse a 2-0 deficit in the Confederations Cup Final over the US to win 3-2, Red Stars head coach Emma Hayes knew her team would overcome the 1-0 deficit to win.

“I knew that they were going to go on and win the game and come from behind,” said Hayes. “The law of averages suggests that the amount of chances we have, we have to bloody put the ball in the back of the net.

“I think for anybody watching us play, they want us to score because we deserve it.  For our fans tonight and the players, I’m delighted.  The pressure is taken off of them and I don’t care what anyone says we’re a match for anyone in this league.”

The Red Stars take on the Republic of Ireland national team at Benedictine University in  Lisle in a friendly on Sunday. Kickoff is at 3pm.

SCORING SUMMARY:

WAS-Abby Wambach (De Vanna) 34

CHI-Cristiane (Tarpley) 48

CHI-Lindsay Tarpley (Rapinoe) 61

BOOKING SUMMARY:

CHI-Natalie Spilger (caution, reckless foul) 35

CHICAGO RED STARS (4-4-2):  #1-Caroline Jönsson, #4-Ifeoma Dieke, #13-Natalie Spilger, #18-Frida Östberg, #24-Jill Oakes, #5-Lindsay Tarpley (C) (#3-Ella Masar 91+), #6-Brittany Klein, #8-Megan Rapinoe, #10-Carli Lloyd, #14-Karen Carney, #11-Cristane (#9-Danesha Adams 88)

Subs not used:  #25-Lydia Williams, #3-Ella Masar, #17-Michelle Wenino, #19-Mary Therese McDonnell, #21-Lydia Vandenbergh, #23-Nikki Kyzysik

WASHINGTON FREEDOM (4-3-3):  #18-Erin McLeod, #4-Cat Whitehill, #8-Sonia Bompastor, #22-Becky Sauerbrunn, #27-Ali Krieger (#21-Alex Singer 80), #6-Lori Lindsey, #10-Homare Sawa, #19-Rebecca Moros (#7-Parrissa Eyorokron 88), #3-Jill Gilbeau (#2-Sarah Senty 68), #17-Lisa De Vanna, #20-Abby Wambach (C)

Subs not used:  #61-Kati Jo Spisak, #21-Alex Singer, #15-Kristen Dedycker,

TOTAL SHOTS:  CHI 28-16 WAS

SHOTS ON GOAL:  CHI 10-8 WAS

FOULS:  CHI 8-7 WAS

OFFSIDES:  CHI 4-2 WAS

CORNER KICKS:  CHI 5-7 WAS

SAVES:  CHI 7-8 WAS

Referee:  Sandra Serafini

Referee’s Assistants:  Kristine West, Miguel Panduro Jr.

Fourth Official: Ian M. Gut

Attendance: 4,127

Woman of the Match:  Cristiane (CHI) for becoming the engine of the Red Stars’ attack.

Second Star:  Lindsay Tarpley (CHI) with the match-winner.

Third Star:  Erin McLeod (WAS) for eight saves and keeping the Freedom in the match.