Red Stars Fight Back For 2-1 Win

The Chicago Red Stars made WPS history tonight, becoming the first team to come from behind and walk away with the win. A first-half Abby Wambach goal gave the Washington Freedom the early lead. However, second-half goals from Lindsay Tarpley and Cristiane saw the Red Stars prevail, 2-1.

“I was really proud of the way we came together and kept fighting,” Tarpley said. “Throughout this whole season we have continued to fight for each other and push through this time.  So to be able to come from behind was a big thing for us.”

This meeting marked the third time Chicago and Washington played each other this season. Both other match-ups resulted in draws, most recently a 0-0 tie on June 13th.

Coming into the match, the Red Stars had gone nine games without a win. They were on three consecutive losses, and had been held scoreless in the last four matches. Last weekend, they played the Los Angeles Sol to a demoralizing 0-4 loss. Suffice it to say, Chicago needed a win if they had any hope of turning their season around.

Washington had been defeated in their most recent match, a 0-1 loss to the Boston Breakers. Overall, they stood solidly in the middle of the table, two points off second-place Boston.

First Half

The match got off to a sizzling start, with both sides creating early chances.

Five minutes in, Freedom forward Lisa De Vanna used her electrifying pace to drive a counterattack into Chicago territory. She dribbled straight toward goal, and then passed left to Becky Sauerbrunn, who had sprinted with her. Sauerbrunn took a shot, but her effort went straight to Red Stars goalkeeper Caroline Jonsson.

One minute later, Chicago’s Cristiane fired an absolute bullet from the top of the eighteen-yard box. The Brazilian’s shot seemed to have goalkeeper Erin McLeod beaten, but crashed back off the crossbar.

In the 15th minute, De Vanna sent a cross into the Chicago box, and after a deflection, Washington forward Abby Wambach headed toward goal. Jonsson got down to make the save.

Just seconds later, Red Stars forward Lindsay Tarpley split Washington defenders with a well-placed pass. Cristiane ran behind the backline to collect the ball and go one-on-one with McLeod, but the ‘keeper did well to save with her foot.

Near the half-hour mark, Freedom midfielder Homare Sawa fired on goal from the left, forcing a save from the goalie. Jonsson punched the ball away, but not out of the box, and had to make another quick save seconds later. It was a dicey moment for the Red Stars defense, but they eventually made the clearance.

Chicago couldn’t keep their net empty for long. In the 34th minute, De Vanna used her pace and skill to dribble toward goal and around the Red Stars defense. She passed the ball across the goal to the back post. Wambach had positioned herself perfectly, and made no mistake with the easy tap-in. It was her third goal of the season.

The Red Stars pressed hard as the first half drew to a close. In the 37th minute, midfielder Megan Rapinoe curled a long ball into Washington’s penalty box. The cross deflected off defender Sauerbrunn and nearly ended up in the net. McLeod reacted in time, palming the ball away.

Just before the whistle, Cristiane struck the crossbar again, this time with a header.

The first half ended 0-1, with the Washington Freedom holding the lead.

Second Half

Chicago coach Emma Hayes must have said the right things to her team at the break, because the second-half had barely started when the Red Stars charged forward to claim the equalizer.

Three minutes into the second-half, Tarpley drove toward goal and fired a shot. Cristiane pounced on the deflection and sent the ball into the net with a cheeky back-heel. It was the Brazilian’s third goal of the season.

With the teams on equal terms again, both looked to create scoring opportunities. In the 55th minute, Tarpley sliced through Washington’s defense with a deft pass to Cristiane. The Brazilian’s shot flew just wide of the right post. Minutes later, Washington’s De Vanna drew defenders to her and then cut back a pass to teammate Rebecca Moros. Facing an open goal, Moros sent her shot well over the crossbar.

An hour into the match, Chicago had reason to celebrate. Rapinoe curled a long ball from the left into the Freedom’s eighteen-yard box. Tarpley received the ball with her back to goal, then quickly spun around and took a left-footed shot on goal. The ball flew over McLeod’s head and into the back of the net. The Red Stars now had the advantage, 2-1.

Despite leading, Chicago continued surging into Washington’s half of the field. Cristiane, Rapinoe, and Tarpley all tested McLeod repeatedly. At times, the three combined to pass through the defense, and at other times each had incredible solo efforts.

McLeod faced a total of 28 shots, and ended the match with a spectacular eight saves. She made saves with her hands, her feet, even an elbow at one point.

The Red Stars looked the more dominant team as the final minutes ticked away, with Washington reduced to attempting an occasional long ball. They did have one final chance to even the score in the last minute of stoppage time. Freedom defender Cat Whitehill sent a long pass into Chicago’s penalty box. Wambach had a shot, but her effort deflected out.

“What we did differently this week, as you know, we put the ball in the back of the net,” Red Stars Coach Emma Hayes said. “The law of averages suggests that the amount of chances we have, we have to bloody put the ball in the back of the net.

“For our fans tonight and the players, I’m delighted.  The pressure is taken off of them and I don’t care what anyone says we’re a match for anyone in this league.”

This win moves Chicago (3-6-5, 14 pts) out of last place and up to fifth. Their next match will be an exhibition game against the Irish National Team at home on July 5th. For their next league match, the Red Stars will travel to California to play FC Gold Pride (3-6-3, 12 pts) on July 12th.

“I think defensively we were giving away the wrong spaces and giving them opportunities to serve our box and we weren’t staying with our runners,” said Washington head coach Jim Gabarra. “I think that Chicago wanted to get on the end of the balls more then we wanted them.”

With tonight’s loss, the Washington Freedom (4-5-4, 16 pts) retain fourth place on the table.  For their next league action, they will host the Los Angeles Sol (10-1-4, 34 pts) on July 5th.

Jennifer Dawson, Goal.com

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