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5. CHICAGO RED STARS
Allow me some time to call Dr. Who. Let me get my mobile and punch in the numbers. A ringing noise. Here we go.
Hey Doctor Who. Yes, could you go right ahead and give me a stat on the Chicago Red Stars' season?
What? You mean to tell me there is a pulse? The shock pads were brought out in time? Unbelievable. All right, thanks for the update, Doc.
With my little call out of the way, we return to the rankings and to our surprise...Chicago has found the will to win again. A 2-1 victory over the Washington Freedom at Bridgeview's Toyota Park did the trick.
Now Emma Hayes' Red Stars have another distinction to their credit: the first team in WPS history to come behind to win a match.
Lindsay Tarpley, who would be named WPS Player of the Week for her heroics this match, had a shot in the 48th minute deflected by Washington Freedom goalkeeper Erin McLeod. But it went to Cristiane, who ended 451 goalless minutes with her second goal of the campaign.
In the 61st minute, Tarpley received a pass from Megan Rapinoe, juked a Freedom defender and sent one into the top left corner for her third goal of the season.
Caroline Jonsson had seven saves in the victory, while the Red Stars had more shots (28 to 16) and shots on goal (10 to eight) than the Freedom.
The victory, combined with FC Gold Pride's defeat, puts the Red Stars out of the cellar for now. But much work needs to be done if Chicago are to rise from the depths of Lake Michigan and steal a playoff spot.
A 1-0 defeat to the Ireland Senior Women's Squad later in the week should be sufficient evidence.
Aine O'Gorman scored a 40th minute goal for the Republic of Ireland.
Chicago outshot Ireland 16 to two in the friendly. However, outshooting the opposition in overwhelming fashion but failing to score is not going to help matters for the Red Stars.
On Sunday, July 12, Chicago gets a chance to improve their prospects with a match against laggards FC Gold Pride. Like Boston, the Red Stars will commemorate the USA's 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup victory over the Steel Roses of China.
Kickoff at Bridgeview is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET. Maybe O'Gorman might have a future playing in the Windy City?
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