Chicago Red Stars withstand rain to beat Washington Spirit

BOYDS, MARYLAND (June 2, 2018) – If there’s anything to know about East Coast weather, it’s that unpredictability is a guarantee.

The Washington Spirit and Chicago Red Stars were aware of that factor on Saturday. Originally slated for a 3:30 p.m. start time, the two sides finally kicked off their match at 9:30 p.m.

The match was still aired through Lifetime TV, as part of the NWSL Game of the Week, but online. The match was delayed by five hours.

Chicago Red Stars withstand rain to beat Washington Spirit

After failing to obtain a victory in seven matches, the Chicago Red Stars ended their bad luck after the storm, capturing a 2-0 victory. Sam Kerr scored her fifth goal of the season, while Yuki Nagasato scored.

Nagasato’s goal, assisted by Alyssa Mautz, was the first of the 2018 season.

After the match, Kerr said her ankle gave way at the beginning of the match, but that it will be fine. She also noted that she “needs the break” after the recent Asian Cup where she and Australia qualified for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“[The win] was really important for our confidence and the group,” Kerr said. “That’s my first win as a Chicago Red Stars, so I’m pumped right now. I like the rain, it makes it nice and the ball is crisp. It wasn’t ideal with the break, but both teams came out and knew what we had to do. It was a good game in the end.”

In goal for Chicago was Emily Boyd, who recorded four saves against Washington. Boyd was in net due to Alyssa Naeher’s absence with the U.S. Women’s National Team.

After the match, Chicago Red Stars Head Coach Rory Dames said he challenged the new group of players against Washington.

“I don’t think our group was panicking,” Dames said. “It was a different group that played tonight and we challenged them on a few different fronts. Credit to them, the win is 100 percent on the players’ and their willingness to compete and fight together. It was never going to be a pretty match, because of the weather, so our players had to roll up their sleeves and dig in a little bit, and they did that.”

Player Reaction on Social Media

3 points 😬! Congrats @emilynboyd1 on her NWSL debut and killer game. Shoutout to @Alyssa_Mautz who wore the captains band like a boss tonight!! #loveyouguys

— Nikki Stanton (@GutiNikki7) June 3, 2018

Proud of this team!!!! #3pts @chiredstarsPR

— Emily Boyd (@emilynboyd1) June 3, 2018

Super proud of my team! @chiredstarsPR were warriors tonight. Congrats @emilynboyd1 for professional debut! Also, it was such an honor to wear the captains arm band! Proud to be a Red Star! 💪🏻

— Alyssa Mautz (@Alyssa_Mautz) June 3, 2018