The Red Stars became the first team in WPS history to come from behind to win a game, scoring a pair of second-half goals Wednesday night to beat the Washington Freedom, 2-1, in front of 4,127 at TOYOTA PARK. In the process Chicago ended its WPS-record scoreless streak at 451 consecutive minutes, snapped a nine-match winless streak and kept itself in the heart of the league playoff race.
The Freedom jumped out to a 1-0 first half lead when Abby Wambach scored in the 34th minute on an assist from Lisa De Vanna, but despite some close shots it was the only goal Washington would score in the game. The Freedom did come close, particularly in the last few minutes of the match, but ultimately could not find the back of the net a second time.
Cristiane got the Red Stars (3-6-5) on the board in the 48th minute with a brilliant goal scored with her back to the net. Lindsay Tarpley had her initial shot deflected by Washington goalkeeper Erin McLeod, but the deflection found its way straight to the Brazilian striker, who kicked it backwards with her left foot straight in.
Tarpley would record the game-winner in the 61st minute. The Chicago forward took a feed from Megan Rapinoe, spun around a Freedom defender and buried her shot in the upper left corner for her third goal of the season, retying Cristiane for the team scoring lead.
Washington (4-5-4) nearly earned a draw in the match’s final minute. During stoppage time Abby Wambach took a shot from the right side of the goal line that deflected off Red Stars goalkeeper Caroline Jönsson to a wide open Lisa De Vanna, but the forward was unable to strike the ball and it continued harmlessly out of bounds.
The two goals highlighted a strong offensive night for the Red Stars, who outshot Washington by a 28-16 margin. Carli Lloyd had a shot cleared off the line by Washington defender Cat Whitehill in the match’s opening minute and Cristiane barely missed on more goals when two of her shots hit the crossbar.
With the win, Chicago moves into fifth place in the WPS standings with 14 points, and Washington holds in fourth. The Red Stars have played one more game than the Freedom.
he Red Stars return to the field on Sunday, July 5th for an exhibition match with the Ireland Women’s National Team. The match will take place at 3 pm at the Benedictine University Sports Complex in Lisle, Ill. The Red Stars then return to WPS action the following Sunday, July 12th, when they host FC Gold Pride at 7:00pm. The game will be a celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the U.S. victory in the 1999 Women’s World Cup and feature special appearances by World Cup team members Brandi Chastain and Brianna Scurry.
The Freedom will be back in action this Sunday, July 5 when they host the Los Angeles Sol in a 6:00pm start.
“What we did differently this week, as you know, we put the ball in the back of the net,” Red Stars Coach Emma Hayes said. “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.
“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 first half we could have been up 2-0 but had a couple of bad breaks,” said Washington Freedom head coach Jim Gabarra. “Chicago also had several opportunities to score but either squandered them or Erin (McLeod) would make a great save.”
Line-Ups:
Chicago Red Stars : Jonsson; Spilger, Oakes,Dieke,Ostberg,Carney,Lloyd,Klein,Rapinoe,Tarpley(c),(92mins Maser),Cristiane(88mins Adams)
Washington Freedom: McLeod; Krieger(80mins Singer),Whitehill,Sauerbrunn, Bompastor,Gilbeau(68mins Senty),Sawa,Lindsey,Moros(88mins Eyorokon) ,Devanna,Wambach(c)
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