Red Stars-Breakers: Chicago Finds Its Groove Against Boston

For nearly two games, the Chicago Red Stars played without the services of their captain Frida Ostberg (pictured above in Swedish National Team action). In her absence they scored no goals and tied two games.

When Ostberg returned after her red card suspension, the Red Stars outplayed powerful Boston throughout the game on their home pitch at Toyota Park, doubling their season total of goals scored and defeating the Breakers 4-0, and setting an "all time" league record for goals scored in a game. 

Ostberg scored none of those four goals and was not among the four players nominated for player of the game, but the difference of her presence was felt dramatically in every aspect that cannot be measured statistically.

Ostberg set the tone of control and dominance in the midfield along with Carli Lloyd, with typically notable performances by Marian Dalmy, Megan Rapinoe, and the entire back nine. Caroline Jonsson was stellar again in goal.

But the difference between the previous two games and this one was the return of the captain.

Under Ostberg's leadership, the midfield became a Bermuda triangle into which the Breakers would enter but from which they seldom emerged—Boston's frustration became increasingly apparent as the match progressed.

In turn, the effectiveness of the midfield on defense set the table for an offensive barrage by the home team.

For the first 20 plus minutes, as the Red Stars failed to capitalize on some excellent chances, it appeared that the game could be going the way of the previous week against FC Sky Blue when the Chicago side threatened continuously but could not connect. But when Carli Lloyd scored on a deflection off a Breaker defender, the surge in momentum was seismic.

The Red Stars turned their attack up another notch and applied even more pressure. Late in the first half, two more goals (both of them beauties), came within five minutes of each other, first by Megan Rapinoe and then by Karen Carney. The fourth goal came from Brittany Klein early in the second half, and for all practical purposes, the game was over.

Even better news for Chicago than the fact that the team seems to have found their offensive groove, is the fact that scoring was so evenly distributed. To date, five players have scored, and only one (Lindsay Tarpley) has scored more than once.

Perhaps the most excitement after that point came when Midfielder Ella Masar was subbed in, making her first home appearance.

Masar, a product of the University of Illinois was greeted by raucous cheers from what appeared to be the entire Illini women's soccer team, seated in the Club section. Her former teammates chanted her name whenever she touched the ball.

Despite an even colder, wet day than the previous week had been for the home opener,  the attendance topped 4000.

For the second week, Megan Rapinoe won Player of the Game honors. It could have been any one of six players, including Ostberg, Jonsson, or any of the other three who scored.

With the victory, Chicago moves into second place behind the LA Sol. Jo-Ryan Salazar covers "El Sol" for Bleacher Report and does power rankings for the league each week. His rankings for this week, just released, have Chicago at the top despite their second place standing in points. 

Next week, Chicago has a bye.