BRIDGEVIEW, ILLINOIS (July 1, 2018) – Welcome back to the NWSL, Casey Short.
For the beginning of the 2018 season, Short was out for the Chicago Red Stars due to an ankle injury. The injury was suffered during the United States Women’s National Team SheBelieves Cup match against France.
Casey Short nets first goal of 2018 in Chicago Red Stars victory
However, with the ankle healed up and a few starts under her belt, Short said, “Hello,” to the league with a goal. Short scored the opening goal in the 34th minute in Chicago’s 2-0 victory over the Washington Spirit.
Danielle Colaprico assisted the goal in front of 2,858 fans at Toyota Park.
Short didn’t tie a ribbon on the match, though. Instead, Yūki Nagasato scored her second goal in two matches in the 60th minute.
Samantha Kerr assisted the goal.
The win marked Red Stars Head Coach Rory Dames’ 50th league victory. Dames has been Chicago’s head coach since 2011. He has spent his entire coaching career in the Windy City, beginning in 1996 as the director of coaching for Chicago Eclipse Select.
The match also saw Morgan Brian’s debut for the Red Stars. Brian was traded from the Houston Dash to Chicago Red Stars but then went overseas to France to feature for Olympique Lyonnais Féminin.
However, the stint didn’t go as planned. Brian only featured in four matches for Lyon.
Sneaky, sneaky @CaseyShort3 pic.twitter.com/S4mKEq0IPT
— Chicago Red Stars (@chicagoredstars) July 1, 2018
Three Takeaways
- A clean sheet for Naeher: After a rough U.S. Women’s National Team camp in June and a few questionable club matches after, Alyssa Naeher earned herself a break with another clean sheet. Naeher made two saves in the victory. On the other side, Aubrey Bledsoe had a busier evening, making six saves against Samantha Kerr, Michele Vasconcelos, and Brooke Elby.
- Ashley Hatch is still Washington’s best: Despite boasting a roster of Rose Lavelle and Andi Sullivan — not counting Mallory Pugh right now due to her injury — Ashley Hatch is the Washington Spirit’s best player. Hatch attempted the most shots (four) out of any Spirit player, giving Naeher a scare a few times.
- Gabarra on the hot seat? It’s rare in the NWSL that a coach would be fire midway through the season. Last year, it was Christy Holly who left the team to pursue other opportunities. However, right now, Jim Gabarra is on the hot seat for Washington. Not only did he let a brand new, healthy Rose Lavelle go to USWNT camp just to get injured, but he has a world of talent on his roster that is either under-performing or being ignored (like Yanara Aedo). Gabarra needs to watch his back.
Diving acrobatics from @Yuki_Ogimi pic.twitter.com/XBryDfxtj0
— Chicago Red Stars (@chicagoredstars) July 1, 2018
