CHICAGO RED STARS 0 - 2 BOSTON BREAKERS

The Chicago Red Stars were goalless once again as they were defeated by the Boston Breakers 2 - 0 at home Sunday afternoon at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill.

Amy Rodriguez came good at last, netted her first WPS goal and captain Kristine Lilly converted a late penalty kick.
The Breakers didn’t have many chances in the match but the visitors made the most of them, starting when Kristine Lilly sent a long pass to teammate Amy Rodriguez inside the box in the 22nd minute. Splitting two Chicago defenders, Rodriguez beat Caroline Jönsson for her first goal of the season.
Apart from that play the Breakers passing game was gone to shot. They had no creativity in the middle of the field and they squandered possession time and time again.

Chicago did not take the numerous amount of chances that came their way. One coming straight after Boston's goal.Lindsay Tarpley put a shot off the crossbar – but the ricochet eluded a wide-open Megan Rapinoe and was cleared by the Breakers defense.Rapinoe on as a sub for the injured Marian Dalmy.

The Red Stars had more chances for an equalizer in the second half, twice beating Boston goalkeeper Allison Lipsher only to have the shot cleared off the goal line by a defender.

In the 68th minute Tarpley fired a rocket from the top of the box that hit off the arm of Breakers defender Alex Scott.(Just FYI Scott started the match as a right midfielder.Nancy Augustyniak-Goffi started at right-back). Ref missed it but i don't know how. It was blatent.

Boston added a second-half stoppage time goal when Lilly scored on a penalty kick. Red Stars defender Nikki Krzysik earned a yellow card for a foul against Jennifer Nobis in the box, and referee Dallas Malhiwsky awarded the Breakers a penalty shot, which Lilly easily buried for her third goal of the year.

The loss is the third consecutive shutout for Chicago, which has now played 313 minutes without scoring, dating back to a second-half goal at FC Gold Pride on June 7. They now haven't won in 8 games.They now travel to LA to take on the Sol this Saturday.

Boston move up to 3rd place in the standings behind 2nd place Washington Freedom with a much needed win to boost confidence. They play each other in 2nd v 3rd place on Wednesday night.

Red Stars Coach Emma Hayes:“We sent the team out today to show that they can perform as a team and I’m very proud of my players today. I think the better team lost the game and I think if we could extend the goal width in either direction then we wouldn’t be talking about a clean sheet.”

“This is the first time since I’ve been the coach here that I have a real hurt dressing room. They are hurt because they know that they put everything into the game and they performed to the best of their ability. The ball didn’t go in the back of the net, but you know there have been a lot of good performances.”

“For us, we executed our game plan and we’re going to take the momentum and energy from the team today into LA. If you want to write this team off it’s at your peril because we have very hungry players right now.”

Red Stars Forward Lindsay Tarpley:
“I think that I had some chances tonight and I wish I could have finished them. I’ll be working on that.”“From the people on the field to the people on the bench, we were a tight union. I think it hurts more today because we felt so unified. I think we’re going to build from this. I have no doubt what our potential is for our team. I know we’re going to step up individually and collectively and find a way to continue to represent this club in a great way.”

Boston Coach Tony DiCicco:

“I think it was a gutty performance. It was difficult to play in this weather and I thought it was really important to score first because chasing the game in this weather is not easy.”

“This league has a lot left. Every team is so competitive. Every team can beat every other team. It’s fun, except for the coaches.”

“Chicago probably deserved more, but we’ve been on that side of the games as well. So we’re delighted with the win and we went out with the right mentality.”

Lineups:

Chicago Red Stars – Jönsson; Dieke (Cristiane, 46), Oakes (Lloyd, 71), Krzysik, Spilger; Dalmy (Rapinoe, 18), Igwe, Östberg, Klein, Carney; Tarpley.

Boston Breakers – Lipsher; Goffi (Schmedes, 55), Chapman, LePeilbet, Mitts; Moore (Latham, 67), Scott, Hucles, Lilly; Rodriguez (Nobis, 60), Smith.