Photos by Jeff Vorva, Southwest Regional Publishing
BRIDGEVIEW, IL–Just over a week ago, Stephanie McCaffrey was acquired from the Boston Breakers. She played minimal minutes as a substitute against the Houston Dash in her opening game with the Chicago Red Stars.
McCaffrey was given her first start on Saturday night, and she contributed the game-winner and her first goal with the Red Stars. Chicago went on to hold off FC Kansas City 1-0 at Toyota Park. Red Stars keeper Michele Dalton also earned a clean sheet with one save.
The McCaffrey goal occurred in the 54th minute after a couple of shots from Vanessa DiBernardo that were turned away by FC Kansas City keeper Nicole Barnhart (4 saves). But after the second one, McCaffrey stepped forward on the ball, beat a couple of defenders and found the back of the net.
“I just think, I was put in a lot of good positions tonight,” McCaffrey said. “Probably, should of walked away with more than one, but I think the goal was the product of great ball movement by people other than me. It was great finishing and I was just there attacking I think. This team, puts forwards in some great positions and I was the beneficiary of that tonight.”
Getting the opportunity of joining the Red Stars (7-4-4, 25 points) and contributing in a short amount of time, appears to be the answer in helping the team scoring and picking up needed points.
“I’m just really happy to be with such a great team that fights for everything,” McCaffrey said. “I think that I’m really lucky in a sense that Rory (Dames) and the Red Stars wanted me back. I’m just fortunate and grateful to play with a great group.”
Chicago was able to hold on in this one after seeing a draw against Houston by giving up a goal late last week and picked up three points in this match.
“The game was similar, we didn’t give away a lot last week and we didn’t give away much tonight,” Chicago Red Stars coach Rory Dames said. “We didn’t give away a lot tonight. So, definitely talked about not getting caught with five people in the box and how to defend in the transition. From last week to this week, other then continuing with the one goal. I think were still creating chances and corners. It shows some character in the group. I gave them the number of points we needed to hit and were right around it.”
The Red Stars will take some time off for the Olympic Break. They return back into action on the road visiting Sky Blue FC in New Jersey on Saturday, August 27 at 6 pm CT.
“We’re going to take some time off,” Dames said. “We’ll came back in by next Sunday. The group has worked really hard over the last four in a half weeks. Physically and mentally. In fairness to them, I’m not sure what kind of tape is holding them together. They need physically and mentally to get away and take a break and come back for the home stretch. We know what it will come down too.”
After the game, recently retired Lori Chalupny returned back home having her jersey #17 retired and the organization honored her with her years with the team on the video board and her time spent with the United States National Team. The Red Stars passed along her great work effort with a presentation on the field.
“If at Lori and some of the other players, that generation was special,” Dames said. “In the first year, she came out with positivity and positive energy she brought to the team. When you’re around those types of players and you see them on the field, how they handle younger players. Their leadership qualities are great and you don’t teach it. They just grow into it. Everyone of those players are at an incredible individual accomplishment and they’ve been on teams that have accomplished something. You can’t have teams that have accomplished something, unless you have really good leadership at the top. She kind of set the foundation of what it means to be a Red Star. I told these (players) before the game, ‘What’s a pro or what’s a Red Star?’ Lori is always the first thing that pops into my head.”
SCORING SUMMARY:
CHI-Stephanie McCaffrey (unassisted) 54′
BOOKING SUMMARY:
None
CHICAGO RED STARS (4-4-2): #18-Michele Dalton; #3-Arin Gilliand, #5-Katie Naughton, #16-Samantha Johnson, #6-Casey Short; #9-Stephanie McCaffrey (#2-Jen Hoy 75′), #24-Danielle Colaprico, #10-Vanessa DiBernardo (C), #11-Sophia Huerta (#4-Alyssa Mautz 67′), #7-Taylor Comeau; #12-Cara Walls.
Subs Not Used: #33-Brianna Smallidge, #14-Sarah Gorden, #15-Courtney Raetzman, #34-Mary Luba.
FC KANSAS CITY (4-4-2): #18-Nicole Barnhart, #1-Lo’Eau Lobonta, #2-Shea Groom, #7-Maddy Laddish, #10-Yael Averbuch, #11-Frances Silva, #13-Brittany Taylor, #15-Erika Tymrak, #20-Tiffany McCarty (#23-Caroline Kastor 70′), #22-Brianne Reed, #24-Molly Menchel (#16-Tiffany Weimer 84′)
Subs not used: #16-Tiffany Weimer, #88-Alexa Newfield.
TOTAL SHOTS: CHI 9-8 FCKC
SHOTS ON GOAL: CHI 5-1 FCKC
FOULS: CHI 5-8 FCKC
OFFSIDES: CHI 3-0 FCKC
CORNER KICKS: CHI 9-3 FCKC
SAVES: CHI 1-4 FCKC
Referee: Andrew Musashe
Assistant Referees: Artyom Arustamyan, Becky Pagan
Fourth Official: Edgar Osorio
Weather: Mostly Cloudy and 71
Attendance: 2,550
Woman of the Match: Stephanie McCaffrey (CHI)
Chicago Red Stars
