Seattle Reign FC 0
Chicago Red Stars 0
NWSL Regular Season
Seattle, WA – Memorial Stadium
August 15, 2018
Photo by MEL
A midweek tilt in Seattle in the smoky air between Reign FC and the Chicago Red Stars was on the docket Wednesday evening.
Chicago entered the match with games in hand and points to grab to catch the teams above them on the table. Seattle suddenly found itself fielding a depleted side, with seven players out for various reasons, but with the opportunity to push forward into clinching a spot and playing for home field and never leaving Cascadia during the playoffs.
Photo by MEL
The first half was mostly Chicago. Seattle eased into the match, playing patient, while the visitors took it right at the home side, grabbing an early set piece and looking dangerous. Captain Julie Ertz’ 8th minute header nearly broke the game open early but was stopped low by Seattle keeper Lydia Williams.
With two league mandated breaks each half with heat and air quality, the match struggled to find a flow at times. Seattle started to get going after the second break of the half, but the two sides ended up level at the interval, another first half clean sheet for the Seattle defense.
Photo by MEL
Seattle had much more of the play in the second half, but Chicago was still dangerous, keeper Williams remaining busy.
The second half also got much more physical, with several set pieces and a stoppages. Reign forward Jasmyne Spencer remained down for a few minute after contact sent her into the side boards hard.
After the final break, the Reign brought on Adriana Leon, and pressed forward for the late winner, with a good chance 7 minutes into the 8 minutes of second half stoppage that would have been a brutal finish to the match.
Photo by Maddy Grassy
Seattle inched closer to clinching without giving ground knowing Chicago and Portland meet over the weekend. Chicago pulled level with Orlando, still a match in had and a chance to also grab points from their visit to the Thorns. In the end, a point probably serves both sides fairly well.
Attendance: 3,341
Scoring Summary
N/A
Misconduct Summary
CHI – Kerr, 27’
CHI – Colaprico, 44’
SEA – Oyster, 47’
CHI – Gilliland, 75’
Seattle Reign FC
Lydia Williams, Christen Westphal, Megan Oyster, Lauren Barnes, Theresa Nielsen, Morgan Andrews (Kristen McNabb, 87’), Allie Long (Jaycie Johnson, 90 + 7’), Jess Fishlock, Jasmyne Spencer, Jodie Taylor, Nahomi Kawasumi (Adriana Leon, 79’)
Substitutes Not Used: Michelle Betos, Alyssa Kleiner
Chicago Red Stars
Alyssa Naeher, Casey Short (Sarah Gorden, 66’), Katie Naughton, Julie Ertz, Arin Gilliland, Morgan Brian, Danielle Colaprico, Alyssa Mautz (Yuki Nagasato, 64’), Vanessa DiBernardo, Rosie White (Michele Vasconcelos, 90’), Sam Kerr
Substitutes Not Used: Nikki Stanton, Summer Green, Emily Boyd, Brooke Elby
Referee: Lukasz Szpala
Assistant Referees: Chris Elliott, John Krill
4th Official: Jeff Arthurholtz
website link photo by MEL
