Another week, another Chicago Red Stars game. This time, they’ll be on the road headed to the east coast to go up against the Washington Spirit. It’s only been a couple of weeks since their last meeting, so let’s see what’s different.
The Chicago Red Stars swap suspensions from Bianca St Georges to Danielle Colaprico now sitting out a match. The Washington Spirit don’t appear to have any major injuries of note, but it should be noted that both teams may be affected by international call-ups as the Olympics approach. While Red Stars goalkeeper Emily Boyd was reportedly involved in warm-ups for the match against Racing Louisville, Cassie Miller was still the one on the bench and it is highly unlikely that Boyd will even make it to the bench at this point in her recovery from an ACL injury.
Here are three things to think about going into this match:
‘Lympic Games
We’re getting very close to that time. In fact, the time is already upon us. The Olympic Games are set for later this month, which means that a large amount of key players for many teams in the league are going to be gone for a couple months while they’re in Tokyo. For the Chicago Red Stars, that means Alyssa Naeher, Tierna Davidson, Casey Krueger, and the still recovering Julie Ertz. For the Washington Spirit, that’s Kelley O’Hara and Emily Sonnett who will be gone from the starting lineup.
Overall, this is going to be an interesting next couple of weeks for the Red Stars if they can capitalize. Other NWSL teams like the Portland Thorns and OL Reign are going to lose a significant amount of firepower from callups, but it all depends on if the Red Stars can get over their own issues enough to take advantage. Cassie Miller has proven to be a solid keeper, but the defensive depth still needs to prove itself again after the disaster in Tacoma.
Better Than Ever
These two teams already faced eachother just two weeks ago, ending in a 1-1 draw off of a late penalty conversion from Morgan Gautrat. After that game, the two teams had very different trajectories. The Red Stars played very poorly in that game and have continued to be equally concerning in their next two, taking big losses against OL Reign and Racing Louisville while getting shut-out. Washington, on the other hand, has only played one game where they picked up a 95th minute game-winner from Trinity Rodman to beat Kansas City 2-1.
Washington is actually on a massive unbeaten streak at the moment. Their only loss belongs to an away game in Louisville in the second game of the season back in May. Their other six games are split evenly down the middle as wins and draws, with most of the wins coming on this side of that early loss. Trinity Rodman, Ashley Sanchez, and Ashley Hatch are developing into a powerful trio up in the attack and with none of them leaving any time soon, the Spirit are set to be a force to reckon with in the NWSL.
Ad Nauseam
I have talked way too much about the specific problems that plague the Chicago Red Stars. It’s to the point now where I’m sure you’re tired of it because I sure as heck am tired of talking about it. There’s one main issue: The team needs goals. Having just a simple goal-scoring threat creates so many more options in tactics and even helps your defense.
And I can go on and on about what good a goal-scorer can do, but there’s only so many ways that I can say the same thing. The Red Stars are bad and they’re not even bad in a way that is conducive to analysis. They have the same problems and make the same mistakes every week at this point, which turns this all into a much bigger problem.
Projected XI
Chicago Red Stars (4-3-3): Cassie Miller; Bianca St Georges, Sarah Gorden, Kayla Sharples, Arin Wright; Morgan Gautrat, Vanessa DiBernardo, Sarah Woldmoe; Rachel Hill, Kealia Watt, Mallory Pugh
Washington Spirit (4-2-3-1): Aubrey Bledsoe; Tori Huster, Page Nielsen, Sam Staab, Tegan McGrady; Andi Sullivan, Jordan DiBiasi; Trinity Rodman, Ashley Sanchez, Tara McKeown; Ashley Hatch
How To Watch
Friday, July 2nd, 6:00 PM CDT; At Segra Field in Leesburg, VA, online on Twitch