Swanson, Defense Lifts Red Stars past Dash

Photo: Len Cederholm

Chicago Red Stars 1-0 Houston Dash

BRIDGEVIEW, IL—Mallory Swanson is showing the form that will be beneficial for the US Women’s National Team for the Olympics in a little under three weeks. Her fourth goal in as many matches was the difference as the Red Stars defeated Houston Dash, 1-0, at SeatGeek Stadium.

The goal came just before halftime after Leilani Nesbeth intercepted a pass from Ramona Bachman and and fed it to Swanson. Swanson then shot from 20 yards out just inside the left post. 

Houston had several shots to equalize. Their closest chance came in the 86th minute after a thru-ball went to Diana Ordonez with a chance, but Alyssa Naeher would get to the ball first. Houston are now winless and goalless in their last five matches. 

For the Red Stars, it’s back-to-back clean sheets after not having one since the season opener at Utah. 

“We spoke last week. We hadn’t had a shutout since the opening game of the season,” said Red Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher. “It was really important to us and for us to keep a clean sheet.

“We just defended, defended, defended. I think our back line cleared balls, blocked balls, headed balls out. Obviously, Hannah [Anderson], big part of that, Sam [Staab], too,  and Tatumn [Milazzo], back there. I think they are just fully committed to it and team defending starts from the top down. And I think just feels good to get the back to back shout outs and wins for sure, especially going into the break.”

It will be a two-week break before the Red Stars commence play in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup vs. Gotham FC at SeatGeek Stadium on Saturday, July 20th. Kickoff is at 4pm. 

For more of Len Cederholm’s photos, please click on the link to his gallery.

SCORING SUMMARY
CHI-Mallory Swanson (Nesbeth) 45+1

BOOKING SUMMARY
HOU-Courtney Peterson (caution, deliberate handball) 8
HOU-Barbara Olivieri (caution, reckless foul) 83

CHICAGO RED STARS (4-3-3):  #1-Alyssa Naeher; #12-Natalie Kuikka, #3-Sam Staab, #41-Hannah Anderson, #23-Tatumn Milazzo (#32-Taylor Malham 85); #4-Cari Roccaro, #13-Leilani Nesbeth (#5-Julia Bianchi 66), #20-Bea Franklin; #9-Mallory Swanson, #34-Ally Schlegel (#8-Jameese Joseph 46), #24-Jenna Bike (#10-Shea Groom 66)

Subs not used:  #19-Mackenzie Wood, #28-Maxi Rall, #11-Chardonnay Curran, #26-Nadia Gomes, #33-Allie Cooke

HOUSTON DASH (3-4-3):  #1-Jayne Campbell; #8-Courtney Peterson, #7-Paige Nielsen, #4-Natalie Jacobs; #14-Yuki Nagasato (#15-Barbara 78), #10-Andressa Alves (#19-Isabella Briede 78), #13-Sophie Schmitt, #30-Avery Patterson; #28-Ramona Bachman (#33-Jylissa Harris 87), #9-Diana Ordonez, #11-Michelle Alozie (#16-Amanda West 71)

Subs not used:  #40-Erin McKinney, #2-Ally Chapman, #22-Croix Soto, #26-Madison Ayson, #31-Elin Ingrid Rubensson

TOTAL SHOTS:  CHI 8-17 HOU
SHOTS ON GOAL:  CHI 6-15 HOU
FOULS:  CHI 13-10 HOU
OFFSIDES:  CHI 2-0 HOU
CORNER KICKS:  CHI 3-6 HOU
SAVES:  CHI 15-5 HOU

Referee:  Abdou Ndiaye
Assistant Referees: Matthew Schwartz, Melissa Beck
4th Official:  Alex Beehler
VAR:  Kevin Bradley
AVAR:  Tom Felice
Weather:  Mostly Sunny and 76º
Attendance:  5,566
Woman of the Match:  Mallory Swanson (CHI)