Stars outshoot Thorns, but still get outscored

Chicago Stars FC 0-2 Portland Thorns

EVANSTON, IL—If there is a silver lining to the Stars’ 2-0 defeat to league-leading Portland Thorns on Sunday, it’s that the Stars produced more chances than they have and after just 15 corner kicks all season to this point, they had 11 in this match. However, the reality remains that the Stars are last in goals scored and last in goals conceded (though 14th in the table).

Olivia Moultrie was involved in both goals for the Thorns. In the 18th minute, after Alyssa Naeher denied Pietra Tordin from an acute angle on a shot, Tordin was able to tap the ball to Moultrie for the finish on the rebound. Then in the 89th minute, Moultrie sent a cross into space and Reilyn Turner was able to get to the ball before an on-charging Naeher and Turner would put the ball into the empty net.

Between those goals, the Stars did show some attacking prowess that they hadn’t done in recent matches. They outshot the Thorns, 13-12, and got eleven corners in the match when they had just 15 prior all season. The closest they got to scoring on Sunday was when Emma Egizii’s shot forced a great save by Mackenzie Arnold. It was one of four shots on target for the Stars.

Despite the loss, Stars coach Martin Sköjgren thought that Sunday’s performance was the best of the last three matches. They just have to capitalize on chances.

I think today I’m the first one to admit if we did not perform at the level we want to and that’s always gonna be my responsibility no matter what,” said Sköjgren. “But today, I think we actually performed the best game we have in the season. Also, it’s the third game in the week. We play [the Thorns who]are on the top of the table, and I think we actually did really good today. So today I’m really disappointed that we don’t get at least one point with us from this game, and I think we had a lot of chances, but we just have to capitalize on them.”

“Then, the last goal coming when we try to push a little bit forward, those things kind of happen. It’s a risk and reward moment to [make]the substitutions and [be]the more offensive balanced team at the end. But today, I think from what we performed, I think we deserved more. But that’s the way it is in this game. And sometimes maybe you’re a bit lucky and you win. And today, I think we should have [won]. I’m not gonna go with luck, but I think we should have done better on those chances we created to score some goals.”

The Stars will be on the road for the next three weeks starting with another Sunday matinee at Kansas City Current. Kickoff is at 11:25am CT on ESPN.

Photos by Leslie Smith

SCORING SUMMARY:
POR-Olivia Moultrie (Tordin) 18
POR-Reilyn Turner (Moultrie) 89

BOOKING SUMMARY:
None

CHICAGO RED STARS (4-2-3-1): #1-Alyssa Naeher; #34-Tessa Dellarose (#28-Emma Egizii 10; #18-Ivonne Chacon 81), #3-Sam Staab, #6-Kathrin Hendrich, #4-Jenna Bike; #5-Michelle Alozie, #25-Aaliyah Farmer (#10-Brianna Pinto 61); #7-Julia Grosso, #16-Manaka Hayashi, #11-Nadia Gomes (#23-Micayla Johnson 81); #99-Jordyn Huitema

Subs not used: #22-Halle Mackiewicz, #13-Leilanni Nesbeth, #15-Elise Evans, #77-Maitane

PORTLAND THORNS (4-2-3-1): #18-Mackenzie Arnold; #25-M.A. Vignola, #16-Sam Hiatt, #5-Isabella Obaze, #23-Marie Muller (#2-Reyna Reyes 61); #6-Cassandra Bogaro, #21-Jessie Fleming; #26-Mimi Alidou (#10-Deyna Castellando 78), #13-Olivia Moultrie, #19-Pietra Tordin (#29-Mallie McKenzine 84); #9-Sophia Wilson (#66-Reilyn Turner 46)

Subs not used: #35-Morgan Messner, #4-Carolyn Calzada, #10-Deyna Castellanos, #11-Maddie Padelski, #24-Jayden Perry, #41-Renee Lyles

TOTAL SHOTS:  CHI 13-12 POR
SHOTS ON GOAL:  CHI 4-3 POR
FOULS:  CHI 6-9 POR
OFFSIDES:  CHI 1-2 POR
CORNER KICKS:  CHI 11-5 POR
SAVES:  CHI 3-4 POR

Referee: Brad Jensen
Assistant Referees: Sarah Geddes, Laura Chambers Waliski
Fourth Official: Drew Klemp
VAR: Danielle Chesky
AVAR: Matthew Rodman
Weather: Windy and 54º
Attendance: N/A
Woman of the Match: Olivia Moultrie (POR)