Defense Wins it for Red Stars

Chicago Red Stars 1-0 San Diego Flash

BRIDGEVIEW, IL—Ludmila got her first NWSL goal in what turned out to be the only score of the game, but it was the defense that won this match for the Chicago Red Stars as they kept the clean sheet over the San Diego Flash. It’s back-to-back clean sheets for the second time this season for the Red Stars and they move up to sixth temporarily in the NWSL table as they inch closer to a playoff spot.

Meanwhile, San Diego’s slide continues having won just once in regular season play since May 8th (1-7-6).

The goal came in the 12th minute when Hannah Anderson sent a cross into the area that was met by Ludmila who headed the ball in from six yards out. From there, the defense essentially did the rest.

Despite being outshot 28-9 in total shots, the Red Stars would prevent most balls from getting to Alyssa Naeher. One such sequence was in the 25th minute. Naeher made the initial save on Mya Jones and then the defense would block two more attempts. Jones would hit another shot off the crossbar three minutes later.

Despite 28 shots for San Diego, just two ended up on target. The second of those was by Delphine Cascarino in stoppage time that was no problem for Naeher. It was either compact defense or lack of accuracy in the shots that would cost the Wave in this one.

For the Red Stars, now four points clear of the playoff line, this was one where the defense kept the Red Stars ahead.

“Really proud of our defense today,” said Red Stars defender Hannah Anderson. “I feel like we were blocking a ton of shots and um the shots or the chances that they did have list had our back and then we did well off the ball to kind of bump them to make sure that they weren’t getting um clean clean opportunities. So, I’m really proud of the defense today to get that shut out.”

With recent additions such as Ludmila, the Red Stars have adapted well as the team chemistry remains in tact.

“I think that just speaks to the resilience of this team,” said Shae Groom. “I also will say, like, I think we’re really welcoming team. People come into the lock room and they automatically feel at home and I think that’s helped with the players to be able to come in and and just be confident in their play. We do really well adapting off of each other, knowing each other’s strengths and just putting the pieces together, and I think with the players that we’ve brought in, it’s it’s really starting to put that puzzle together and obviously getting two big wins back to back, two big shutouts, back to back is right where we want to be going into these last few games.”

The Red Stars will look to make it three on the bounce and consolidate a playoff spot next Sunday when they host North Carolina Courage. Kickoff is at 5pm CT on Paramount+ and Marquee Sports Network.

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

SCORING SUMMARY:
CHI-Ludmila (Anderson) 12

BOOKING SUMMARY:
SD-Perie Morroni (caution, tactical foul) 16
SD-Maria Sanchez (caution, reckless foul) 30
SD- Hanna Lundqvist (caution, persistent infringement) 55
CHI-Jenna Bike (caution, delyaing a restart) 82

CHICAGO RED STARS (4-2-3-1):  #1-Alyssa Naeher; #32-Taylor Malham, #41-Hannah Anderson, #4-Cari Roccaro, #12-Natalia Kuikka; #21-Julia Grosso, #20-Bea Franklin; #9-Mallory Swanson, #34-Ally Schlegel (#13-Leilanni Nesbeth 72), #8-Janeese Joseph (#24-Jenna Bike 72); #14-Ludmlla (#10-Shea Groom 90+1)

Subs not used:  #19-Mackenzie Wood, #23-Tatumn Milazzo, #5-Julia Bianchi, #11-Chardonnay Curran, #26-Nadia Gomes, #15-Sarah Griffith

SAN DIEGO WAVE FC (4-2-3-1):  #1-Kailen Sheridan; #75-Perie Morroni (#24-Danielle Colaprico 67), #4-Naomi Girma, #12-Kennedy Wesley (#14-Kristen McNabb 46), #6-Hanna Lundkvist; #16-Mackenzy Doniak (#23-Elyse Bennett 85), #5-Emily Van Egmond; #77-Maria Sanchez, #25-Melanie Barcenas (#11-Jaedyn Shaw 67), #99-Delphine Cascarino; #18-Mya Jones (#7-Amirah Ali 67)

Subs Not Used:  #22-Hillary Beall, #20-Christen Westphal, #17-Kimmi Ascanio

TOTAL SHOTS:  CHI 9-28 SD
SHOTS ON GOAL:  CHI 2-2 SD
FOULS:  CHI 7-12 SD
OFFSIDES:  CHI 5-1 SD
CORNER KICKS:  CHI 9-9 SD
SAVES:  CHI 2-1 SD

Referee:  Danielle Chesky
Referee’s Assistants:  Ethan Buege, Eric Del Rosario
Fourth Official: Alex Beehler
VAR:  Corbyn May
AVAR:  Tom Felice
Weather:  Partly Cloudy and 81º
Attendance:  5,046
Woman of the Match:  Hannah Anderson (CHI)