No goals after 20 shots against Sky Blue FC
I was really hoping to watch a victorious Chicago soccer match on Sunday, especially after being on hand to witness the Fire lose their first ever home opener at Toyota Park the night before. Not only was I looking forward to a Red Stars win because I needed my soccer spirits to be lifted after the Fire's disappointing results, but also to prove all the Red Stars haters wrong. Last week I read countless reviews on just how awful everyone seems to think the Red Stars will be this year, and it got old quick.
It turns out that the Fire weren't the only pro soccer team in Chicago to end their weekend in a disappoint, as the Red Stars lost to Sky Blue FC 1-0 with an early goal in the 6th minute from Natasha Kai.
I may be biased, but I'm really excited for the changes that Emma Hayes has made to the roster this season. Sure, we lost USWNT players, Carli Lloyd and Lindsay Tarpley. We lost a standout goalie from Sweden in Caroline Jonsson. We're all unhappy about these loses. (Well, I am mostly sad for the loss of Jonsson, but countless others are heartbroken over USWNT heroes, Lloyd and Tarpley.) But overall, I'm genuinely excited to see what our new Red Stars' players will produce this year - maybe it is the lack of familiarity that has me on the edge of my seat, maybe it's the energy I've seen in Hayes when she talks about new additions to the team such as: Kosovare Asllani, Katie Chapman, Whitney Engen, Jessica McDonald, and countless others, or maybe I'm just genuinely looking forward to a fresh start, a new season.
Oh the anticipation!
Sadly, the first game has come and gone. The Red Stars fought until the final minutes of game that I thought they clearly should have one. In my eyes, they dominated the majority of the game. Of course, not without a challenge, Sky Blue FC is a force to be reckoned with, there is no question in that. But the RS did everything they were supposed to, except... put the ball in the goal, even after collectively taking 20 shots (4 on goal) against Sky Blue.
Game Highlights:
Other thoughts on the game:
- Brittany Klein was as stable as ever, just what you'd expect from a 2009 WPS All-Star.
- I truly expected Whitney Engen to start at center back with Kate Markgraf, but she played on the outside to help provide runs down the line. I thought she and Ifeoma Dieke played well, but not necessarily exceptional. I think when Engen becomes adjusted to the higher level of play that she'll make a huge impact for the Red Stars.
- Ella Masar constantly applied pressure up top.
- I was very impressed with Markgraf's speed, especially in the 71st and 77th minute when the Red Stars defense attempted to play Sky Blue offside but were unsuccessful. On both plays, Markgraf chased down Rosana and later, Jessica Landstrom and was able to stop scoring opportunities on both occasions. Didn't this woman give birth to twins less than a year ago?
- Asllani served great balls in, chased balls down, provided spark, and brought additional speed and foot skill to the field.
- I thought that Chapman contained Lloyd for the majority of the game, except for in the first half when Lloyd slotted the ball across the front of the goal. Jillian Loyden was able to scoop the ball up.
- Sitch is just an all around hard worker like Klein and Masar, as a friend of mine said, "Sitch is a blue collar work horse".
- Carney subbed into the game late for Sitch, as she's coming off an injury. Her touch and execution were not there 100%, but I felt that after a few minutes on the field she was able to help with the Red Stars attack. Does everyone else think she should have received a PK in the 72nd minute? Some argue she needed a cleaner first touch on the ball.
- I feel like I didn't notice Marian Dalmy much last year, so I'm hoping to pay more attention to her this year. She seemed to provide additional help going forward in the 2nd half.
- Casey Nogueira has an immense about of skill, but in the two games I've seen her play (the other time being for the USWNT team vs Mexico in the snow) she appears to be somewhat lackluster, chill, and lacks urgency. It's probably far too soon for me to be judging her, and I can't wait to see she has to offer the Red Stars for the rest of the season.
- And then there's Cristiane... clearly impressive footwork, but I'll be fully sold when she starts scoring goals on a regular basis. I really want her to be everything people claims that she is, a Brazilian superstar.
- ...waiting for Formiga.
Overall, I feel the Red Stars possess great depth. Even without players like Megan Rapinoe, Carney, Noogie, McDonald, and Natalie Spilger starting and/or playing they showed that they are capable of creating scoring opportunities and maintaining possession of the ball throughout a good portion of the game. I am far more excited for this season then last season, so many unknowns, so many surprises.
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