Categories: Chicago Stars FCNorth Carolina CourageNWSL

Stars deep sixed in Evanston

Photo: Len Cederholm

Chicago Stars FC 0-6 North Carolina Courage

EVANSTON, IL–Chicago Stars FC continue to struggle for a second straight match. The Stars couldn’t stay with visiting North Carolina Courage and were shutout 6-0 Sunday afternoon at Northwestern Midicine Field at Martin Stadium

Just last week, Chicago (5-17-1, 16 points) got beat on the road at the Denver Summit 6-1.

“We need consistency and need to keep working,” Chicago Stars FC interim coach Katrina Baez said. “We’re the team that’s risking commitment. We want to be in a better situation, but we want to go to the other side. It’s a difficult time. We’re working on it and keep building from here. It’s very hard, but there’s no other way.”

Veteran and a former United States Women’s goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher returned into goal for the Stars for the first time since May. She saw a lot of things in front of her that the team needs to be a better club.

“It’s tough and there’s no way around it,” Naeher said. “It’s frustrating! It’s been challenging all season long. Definitely, a tough stretch over these last few games. But. I think this is where you learn a lot about people. This is where you learn about us as athletes; character shows up. If you can dig deep into it and move forward. It’s the only way with seven games left. like we’ve done it all year to stick together. Obviously, this is not how we envisioned the season coming in and set out for it. We’ve got to play for pride, play for yourself, the team, and to represent this organization. It still matters, that’s important.”

North Carolina (12-8-3, 39 points) scored early and often in the first half. Courage scored two goals in six minutes. Ashley Sanchez scored on a loose deflected ball near the goal in the 11th minute for the opening 1-0 lead. The goal was her 16th goal of the season and set a single season scoring record for an American in the NWSL. Alex Morgan (2022) and Crystal Dunn (2015) had the previous record.

Chioma Okafor added the second goal five minutes later off an assist from Evelyn Ijeh in the penalty area for a 2-0 advantage. North Carolina stormed the Stars in the second half with four more goals

The Courage added a third tally in the 61st minute. Shinomi Koyama scored off the crossbar into the back of the net. Okafor assisted on the play. Williams scored her second career goal off a misplayed played ball in the back that made the score 4-0 in the 63rd minute.

North Carolina added a third goal in the second half in the 69th minute. Sanchez scored on a penalty kick for her second goal of the match after a foul in the penalty area. Sanchez also set a record with her fifth brace of the season in 23 matches.

Sanchez added her third goal in the 81st minute with a header into the goal for the Courage and her 18th of the season.

“The team came together and we had a lot of great goals,” Sanchez said. “Scoring six goals was a great accomplishment. I’m just enjoying being on the field and good things happen when you put a lot less pressure on yourself. I do have incredible teammates behind me. I think that has helped me improve my game. In this league, anyone can win on any given day. You can’t look backwards at all. You just have to focus on the next game. Every game is a challenge and you have to fight through it.”

The Courage came up with one of their best victories of the season with goals and bounced back from a loss last week.

“I’ve got very good feelings with the way we played the game,” North Carolina Courage coach Mak Lind, said. “Especially in possession. We created very good goal-scoring opportunities. The six goals was more than fair. We’re on the road and proud of the performance.”

North Carolina will travel to play the San Diego Wave next Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET, while the Stars will travel to play the Portland Thorns at Providence Park on Sunday at 6 p.m. CT.

Photos by Len Cederholm

Scoring Summary:
NC-Sanchez (unassisted) 11″
NC-Okafor (Ijeh) 17′
NC-Koyama (Okafor) 61
NC-Williams (unassisted) 63′
NC-Sanchez (PK) 69′
NC-Sanchez (unassisted) 81′

Booking Summary:
CHI- Bike (yellow, unsporting behavior) 45+2
CHI-Shiragaki (yellow, unsporting behavior) 80
CHI-Franklin (yellow, unsporting behavior) 84

Starting Lineups:
Chicago Stars FC: #1-Naeher, #3-Staab, #14-Wood, #34-Dellarose, #29-Quahobi, #11-Gomes, #7-Grosso (#31-Gasper 71), #10-Pinto (#16-Hayashi 78), #5-Alozie, #25-Farmer, #4-Bike.

Subs not used: #22-Mackiewicz, #27-Atkinson, #6-Valdezate, #15-Evans, #18-Charley, #20-Franklin, #28-Egizii.

North Carolina Courage: #1-Sheridan, #2-Sanchez (#6-Younce 85), #8-Okafor (#21-Gomez 70), #10-Ijeh (#33-Betfort 71), #11-Rauch (#17-Weatherholt 76), #13-Williams, #18-Shiragski, #19-Parkinson, #20-Koyama, #26-Boe Risa (#14-Wickenheiser 73).

Subs not used: #99-White, #5-Brooks, #9-Wingate, #17-Weatherholt, #80-Pena.

TOTAL SHOTS: CHI 6-24 NC
SHOTS ON GOAL: CHI 2-9 NC
FOULS: CHI 12-9 NC
OFFSIDES: CHI 0-3 NC
CORNER KICKS: CHI 1-5 NC
SAVES: CHI 3-2 NC

Referee: Danielle Chesky
Assistant Referees: Jeremy Smith and Marcus Barnett
Fourth Official: Nabil Bensalah
VAR: Matthew Corrigan
Assistant VAR: Christian Clerc
Weather: Mostly Sunny and 72.
Attendance: 4,722