Red Stars Drop One to Chivas

BRIDGEVIEW, IL—Before a majority Chivas crowd, Chivas Femenil became the first Liga MX Femenil team to defeat an NWSL side in a competitive match with a 1-0 win over the Chicago Red Stars. The loss eliminates the Red Stars from Summer Cup contention while Chivas stays in the running with the win. 

It appeared for a while that the Red Stars would be the team to score first. Bea Franklin’s header in the second half almost looped over Biance Felix, but the Chivas goalkeeper managed to get a hand on it. There was a similar attempt in the 42nd minute for Ally Cook, but against Felix stood tall enough. 

Three minutes later, the ball would go into the other net. Karla Martinez’s cross found the oncoming Gabriela Valenzuela who headed the ball in just before halftime to give the visitors the lead. 

Nadia Gomes had a tremendous chance in the 67th minute. She had rounded Felix, but two defenders were enough to disrupt a potential scoring chance. That would be the last best chance for the Red Stars as Felix would get five saves on the night. 

“it’s very important for us to have this win because, it helps the team grow and also Liga MX,” said Chivas coach Joaquin Moreno through a translator. “Of course, we have to thank the board to keep us in the United States because we had did this game in Philly on Sunday. We worked throughout the the week here in Chicago, so, the players could rest. The players had all the the things that they needed. So that’s very important for us.”

The Red Stars will conclude Summer Cup play on Wednesday at Washington Spirit. Kickoff time for that one is 6:30pm CT. Then, the Red Stars will be off until August 24th when they visit Racing Louisville. 

Chivas Femenil will take on Gotham FC at Red Bull Arena on Friday, August 2nd. 

For more of Leslie Smith’s photos, please click on the link to her gallery.

SCORING SUMMARY:
GUA-Gabriela Valenzuela (Martinez) 45

BOOKING SUMMARY:
GUA-Damaris Godinez (caution, tactical foul) 32
GUA-Daniela Delgado (caution, tactical foul) 53
GUA-Karla Martinez (caution, tactical foul) 57
GUA-Adriana Iturbide (caution, reckless tackle) 82
CHI-Alli Schlegel (caution, endangering the goalkeeper) 90+2

CHICAGO RED STARS (4-2-3-1):  #37-Sydney Schneider; #32-Taylor Malham, #4-Cari Roccaro, #41-Hannah Anderson, #23-Tatumn Milazzo (#11-Chardonnay Curran 46); #20-Bea Franklin, #13-Leilanni Nesbeth (#26-Nadia Gomes 61); #33-Ally Cook (#34-Alli Schlegel 61), #5-Julia Bianchi (#15-Sarah Griffith 76), #24-Jenna Bike; #8-Jameese Joseph (#10-Shea Groom 61)

Subs not used:  #19-Mackenzie Wood, #29-Samantha Feller, #16-Sophia Jones

CHIVAS DE GUADALAJARA FEMENIL (4-4-2):  #12-Bianca Felix; #2-Jaqueline Rodriguez, #3-Damaris Godinez (#26-Araceli Torres 46), #22-Karla Martinez, #23-Alexxandra Ramirez (#4-Kinberly Guzman 63); #30-Virdiana Salazar (#10-Adriana Iturbide 63), #8-Carolina Jaramillo, #18-Montserrat Hernandez (#13-Dana Sandoval 72), #19-Daniela Delgado; #24-Alicia Cervantes, #9-Gabriela Valenzuela (#16-Victoria Acevedo 86)

Subs not used:  #1-Celeste Espino, #11-Yamile Franco, #15-Rubi Soto, #14-Joselyn de la Rosa

TOTAL SHOTS:  CHI 11-9 GUA
SHOTS ON GOAL:  CHI 5-3 GUA
FOULS:  CHI 10-17 GUA
OFFSIDES:  CHI 1-2 GUA
CORNER KICKS:  CHI 10-6 GUA
SAVES:  CHI 2-5 GUA

Referee:  Alyssa Nichols
Assistant Referees:  Jennifer Dumaine, Jarin Harrell
Fourth Official:  Calin Radosav
Attendance:  4,788
Weather:  Sunny and 79º
Woman of the Match:  Bianca Felix (GUA)