Stars devoured by Pride

Chicago Stars FC 0-3 Orlando Pride

EVANSTON, IL – The sun set on the shores of Lake Michigan as the whistle blew at Northwestern University’s Martin Stadium, kicking off the midweek fixture between Chicago Stars FC and Orlando Pride. The home side simply could not keep up with Orlando on the cool Wednesday evening, giving up three goals in the first 35 minutes.

The Orlando Pride pounced early on the Stars’ mistakes in build-up play, capitalizing on opportunities that were limited, but maximized. Orlando’s Haley McCutcheon pressured Chicago’s Maitane just outside the Stars’ box, allowing Ally Lemos to poke the ball to an attentive Barbra Banda. The swooping striker made no mistake and opened the scoring for the visitors in the 12th minute.

Photo: Len Cederholm

A similar sequence ensued ten minutes later, except this time Orlando’s pressure led to a left-side cross into the box. Solai Washington found Marta Award winner Jacquie Ovalle, who didn’t disappoint with a spinning backheel finish to double the Pride’s lead.

“We got caught in transition and we lost it centrally and found ourselves in a hole very early,” said Chicago midfielder Brianna Pinto. “And I think because it happened in such quick succession it was a little bit deflating. But I think there’s definitely growth for us moving forward, figuring out how to balance that, how to regroup and how to have confidence getting on the ball.”

In the 35th minute, Ovalle sent in a corner kick from the right side, connecting with an unmarked Hannah Anderson. Orlando punished the Stars once again, with Anderson’s left-footed shot from within the small box sending the match into halftime 3-0 in the Pride’s favor.

“I thought at times, and this might sound crazy, but at times I was thinking we were having a pretty game,” said Chicago head coach Martin Sjörgen. “And all of a sudden we’re down by three and that feels so bad, to be fair.”

Chicago came into the second half reenergized, but faced a defensive Orlando side that implemented a low block given their three goal cushion.

“They made the space between the backline and the goalkeeper really tight so it didn’t feel like the long balls were on at times,” said Pinto. “So I think we just have to carry the ball sometimes and commit the defender and then dish. And I think there were some times where we were able to get in behind.”

Ultimately, the Stars were unable to rattle Orlando and the match ended 3-0. Chicago will now travel to San Diego for a faceoff with the Wave on Saturday. Having defeated the Kansas City Current 2-1 last Sunday, it will be the Stars’ third game in seven days.

“I think someone has to look at that schedule and start making a bit of a better plan,” said Sjörgen. “It’s not an excuse, it’s just an explanation.”

Regardless, the hope of a new season in its early stages still remains intact.

“Making mistakes is a part of actually becoming better, so as long as we try to do what we are talking about, we just have to keep on pushing ourselves,” said Sjörgen.

“I think it’s just the will to fight, wanting it more than the other team,” said Pinto. “I think we have a little bit of growth in terms of the dog mentality that we have to develop. That’s how you secure wins in this league. Getting back to that on Saturday is going to be really important.”

Kickoff in San Diego on Saturday is at 7:45 p.m. CT on ION.

SCORING SUMMARY:
ORL-Banda (Lemos) 12’
ORL-Lizbeth Ovalle (Washington) 22’
ORL-Hannah Anderson (Ovalle) 35’

BOOKING SUMMARY:
CHI-Jameese Joseph (caution, rough foul) 45+7’
CHI-Brianna Pinto (caution, rough foul) 73’

CHICAGO RED STARS (4-2-3-1): #1-Alyssa Naeher; #34-Tessa Dellarose, #3-Sam Staab, #20-Bea Franklin (#25-Aaliyah Farmer 45’); #5-Michelle Alozie (#4-Jenna Bike 52’); #77-Maitane, #16-Manaka Hayashi (#18-Ivonne Chacón 45’); #10-Brianna Pinto, #7-Julia Grosso (#23-Micayla Johnson 84’); #24-Ryan Gareis (#28-Emma Egizii 62’); #8-Jameese Joseph

Subs not used: #15-Elise Evans, #11-Nádia Gomes, #27-Katie Lund, #13-Leilanni Nesbeth

ORLANDO PRIDE (4-2-3-1): #1-Anna Moorhouse; #41-Hannah Anderson, #5-Hailie Mace (#4 Rafaelle 71’); #12-Cori Dyke, #21-Oihane Hernández, #7-Angelina (#28-Summer Yates 62’); #2-Haley McCutcheon, #6-Ally Lemos, #11-Barbra Banda (#10 Marta 82’); #13-Jacquie Ovalle (#20-Julie Doyle 82’); #29-Solai Washington (#30-Seven Castain 71’)

Subs not used: #80-Simone Jackson, #8-Luana, #31 Cara Martin, #38 Regan Raabe

TOTAL SHOTS: CHI 8 – 11 ORL
SHOTS ON GOAL: CHI 2 – 4 ORL
FOULS: CHI 16 – 19 ORL
OFFSIDES: CHI 0 – 1 ORL
CORNER KICKS: CHI 4 – 4 ORL
SAVES: CHI 1 – 2 ORL

Referee: Matthew Thompson
Assistant Referees: Tom Felice, Sarah Gaddes
4th Official: Calin Radosav
VAR: Elton Garcia
AVAR: Kevin Huet
Weather: Clear and 60º
Attendance: 1,821
Woman of the Match: Jacquie Ovalle (ORL)