BRIDGEVIEW, ILLINOIS (July 14, 2018) — Samantha Kerr wants to repeat as the top goal-scorer in the NWSL.
The Australian international notched a crucial, game-winning goal against Seattle Reign FC on Saturday night. The win gave the Chicago Red Stars three points. While the team remains in fourth place, the Red Stars cut the Seattle Reign’s second-place lead to one point.
Chicago Red Stars Claim Three Points With Victory Over Seattle Reign
Meanwhile, the Red Stars are tied with the Orlando Pride. Each club has 28 points.
Kerr’s crucial goal came in the 87th minute. Yuki Nagasato claimed the assist for her fellow foreign-international player.
Kerr took seven total shots, registering four shots on goal. Seattle Reign goalkeeper Michelle Betos stopped the other three, along with shots from Rosie White and Vanessa DiBernardo. Meanwhile, on the other end, Red Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher made three saves to deny Megan Rapinoe, Jodie Taylor, and Jasmyne Spencer.
Only one yellow card was shown to Jessica Fishlock in the 35th minute.
The only absence for Chicago was midfielder Stephanie McCaffrey, who is recovering from an illness. As for the Reign, defender Yael Averbuch is still recovering from her own illness. Kiersten Dallstream was also out with a left quad strain.
Despite being listed as questionable, Elizabeth Addo, who is recovering from a right knee strain, and Rumi Utsugi, who sustained a left calf strain, did not feature for Vlatko Andonovski’s squad.
Cause I've been goin' off and they don't know when it's stoppin' pic.twitter.com/ypk2xDbYcX
— Chicago Red Stars (@chicagoredstars) July 16, 2018
Three Takeaways
- Discipline, discipline, discipline: Despite not receiving a yellow card in this match, the Red Stars did add nine fouls to the team total. The Red Stars lead the NWSL with 22 yellow cards and 159 fouls conceded. If Chicago genuinely wants to make a playoff run, it’s time for Rory Dames to discipline his team for more than just one match.
- Seattle should be worried: First place is basically secure for the North Carolina Courage. However, there is no lock on second place. While the Courage locked down the first official playoff spot on Saturday against Sky Blue FC, the race and hunt for the final three spots are in full swing. Both teams are currently in playoff spots, but the Portland Thorns, Utah Royals, and Houston Dash are creeping.
- Yanez hits 100: While the milestone talk around the NWSL mainly went to Ali Krieger of the Orlando Pride for hitting 100 matches, the same milestone happened in Seattle. Beverly Yanez hit 100 appearances not just in the NWSL, but with the Seattle Reign on Saturday. That’s an accolade deserving of a standing ovation.
Congrats to @beverlygoebel on her 100th regular-season #NWSL match with Reign FC. #Legend pic.twitter.com/rAZMHz6Gpt
— OL Reign (@OLReign) July 15, 2018
