Chicago Red Stars Vs OL Reign: 3 things we learned

The Chicago Red Stars squeaked out a win against the OL Reign in the quarter-finals of the NWSL Challenge Cup. Here are three things we learned.

Last weekend, the Chicago Red Stars squeaked by OL Reign and into the semi-finals of the NWSL Challenge Cup. Both teams struggled in front of goal as the match ended scoreless. With no extra-time in the Challenge Cup, it went straight to penalties. This game would be the third game out of the four knockout games that went scoreless into penalties. But let’s look at how the game flowed before the penalties.

Shirley Cruz and Lauren Barnes missed the crucial penalties for OL Reign, the former firing over the crossbar and the latter hitting the post. Meanwhile, Julie Ertz, Vanessa DiBernardo, Kealia Watt, and Rachel Hill all converted their spot-kicks, handing the Red Stars a 4-3 win on penalties.

Here are three things we learned.

HERRIMAN, UTAH – JULY 18: Sofia Huerta #20 of OL Reign defends Bianca St Georges #29 of Chicago Red Stars during the quarterfinal match of the NWSL Challenge Cup at Zions Bank Stadium on July 18, 2020 in Herriman, Utah. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

3. Huerta vs. St. Georges

One really fun battle to watch was between Chicago Red Stars right-back Bianca St Georges and OL Reign left-winger Sofia Huerta. Huerta is a former Red Stars player who had previously looked like the player who’d take over the attack after Christen Press was traded away. However, she was traded midway through the 2018 season to Houston. At the time, she wanted to try her hand at right-back, but has since moved to the Reign and reverted back to being a winger.

Bianca St Georges, meanwhile, was a third-round draft pick in the 2019 NWSL Draft. She didn’t even see the pitch last season, remaining with the team’s acclaimed reserves in the WPSL. She has only started in this competition because usual right-back Arin Wright is out on maternity leave and Tierna Davidson’s injury moved Sarah Gorden at to center-back. And yet, St Georges has been seen as one of the standouts for the Red Stars.

To see the two of these players — one who left because she couldn’t get a chance at the position that opened up for the other player — battle against one another was incredibly interesting, adding a little spice to what was a hotly contested affair.