Utah Royals Vs Chicago Red Stars: Week 4 Preview

The Chicago Red Stars picked up their first win of the season against the Seattle Reign. Now, they will go up against another undefeated team in the Utah Royals. Here is a full Week 4 preview.

Fresh off their first win of the season, the Chicago Red Stars are back in action just five days later on the road against the Utah Royals. Both teams have a powerful attacking front, so this match may have a chance of looking very similar to the 4-4 Portland game earlier in the season.

The Red Stars did have one player who sat out against Seattle who could return this week Arin Wright missed the Reign win through injury but was able to finish the game against Portland with it. With a rest this past game, I think that it’s very possible that she’ll be back against Utah.

As for the Royals, they look really strong. The team won both of their first two games convincingly, although the scoreline was only 1-0. While not statistically dominating the game, they appeared to be in control most of the time and had the best end of the chances created. The one caveat for this good look is that they played against two fairly struggling teams in the Washington Spirit and Orlando Pride. When faced with tougher competition like the Red Stars, we might see a different plan.

The Utah Royals can be described in one word: Press. Not only has star USWNT striker Christen Press been putting on a clinic in the NWSL this season, but the Utah style of play involves a very high line that allows Press to, well, press. Although the opposition may be holding possession, the Royals have a style that does not allow that possession to be held comfortably. The entire offense is based not around starting play from the defense, but by creating turnovers in the opponent’s final third.

This sort of tactic could be dangerous for the Chicago Red Stars, who’ve struggled recently with their defense. After seeing a much better game from the unit last week, the defense may be finally solidifying. But one game doesn’t mean there has been total improvement. Katie Naughton, meanwhile, isn’t really known for being the best ball-playing defender and that sort of weakness could prove deadly for the Red Stars.

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On the other hand, if this game turns into a shoot-out, the Red Stars have the fire-power to handle it. This past week, Yuki Nagasato was voted Player of the Week after recording a goal and an assist against Seattle. She also picked up two goals in the game against Portland and another assist earlier against North Carolina. If you didn’t do the math yourself, that’s three goals and two assists already from just three games. She is on track to be league MVP with those sort of numbers, not to mention all of the small stuff that she does to help make plays happen.

And Nagasato isn’t the only attacker that the Red Stars have. Sam Kerr continues to cause problems on the front line and Katie Johnson helps find spaces for Nagasato and Kerr. This is just a complete attacking unit and, when they are playing their game together, I don’t think that there is much that can stop them. The defense could give up two goals, but they can easily put up four.

Projected XIs:

Chicago Red Stars (4-3-1-2): Alyssa Naeher; Casey Short, Katie Naughton, Tierna Davidson, Arin Wright; Morgan Brian, Julie Ertz, Danielle Colaprico; Yuki Nagasato; Sam Kerr, Katie Johnson

Utah Royals (4-1-3-2): Nicole Barnhart; Michelle Maemone, Rachel Corsie, Becky Sauerbrunn, Katie Bowen; Desiree Scott; Verónica Boquete, Gunnhildur Yrsa Jónsdóttir, Lo’eau LaBonita; Christen Press, Amy Rodriguez

Next. Chicago Red Stars Vs Seattle Reign: 3 things we learned. dark

How To Watch:

Friday, May 3rd, 8:30 PM CDT; At Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, UT, on NBC Sportsnet Chicago, and online with the Yahoo Sports App

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