Coming from Behind, Chicago's Red Stars Exorcise Demons Vs Washington

Bridgeview, IL July 1, 2009   Toyota Park could have been the Biblical city of Jericho, tonight, the way the walls came tumblin' down for WPS' most snake-bitten team.

Chicago's Red Stars, said by many to have the most raw talent of any club in the new major league for women's soccer, has established a pattern of dominating games in every aspect but the scoreboard. 

Overall, the Red Stars have controlled the ball better than their opponents, kept the ball on their offensive side of the pitch more than their opponents, had more shots and shots on goal than their opponents in nearly every game played, but before tonight, have only won two games, and including tonight, went a record 450 scoreless minutes.

After the last two disheartening losses, there was some buzz among Red Stars fans that the problem was not with the players. And when Coach Emma Hayes continued to lay the responsibility on the players, some in the community began to call for her job.

But after tonight's performance, any such talk is filed away—for now, anyway.

Playing without two regular defensive starters, Marian Dalmy and Chioma Igwe, both nursing injuries, Chicago came out with a chip on their shoulders and dominated the game early.

In the early minutes, the Red Stars had numerous chances and numerous extremely near misses, keeping the offensive pressure on, while also keeping the Freedom from penetrating into the penalty box.

But then it happened. An old pattern repeated itself yet again. Washington's Abby Wambach scored in the 34th minute on a deflection off a Red Stars defender. The deflection was in front of the goal, nearly impossible for any keeper to stop.

In fact, Chicago's keeper, Caroline Jonsson had blocked the ball twice before a defender also deflected before Wambach got through. But it seemed to be the same song, next verse.

Throughout the season, Chicago has protected the defensive side of the pitch until a momentary lapse allows an opponent into the box and a score often results on a deflection after Jonsson has already made a stop.

The collective deflation of the Red Stars on the field was palpable following the goal. Fans in the stands began to sigh, "Here we go again."

The Red Stars greatest difficulty has been playing from behind, and up to this point, no WPS team had come from behind to win.

But, it was a night for streaks to end, barriers to break and walls to come tumblin' down. After a momentary deflation, Chicago seemed to regain their fight and picked up where they had left off before the goal, dominating the game. They managed to get into the locker room still trailing 1-0.

When the team emerged from half-time, they were visibly charged, and huddled together on the edge of the field, sans coaches, psyching up.

In less than three minutes, Brazilian sensation Cristiane, who has accounted for most of the Red Stars' scoring in the past several weeks, logged her first tally at home, with her back to the net.

Lindsay Tarpley had her initial shot deflected by Washington goalkeeper Erin McLeod, but the deflection found its way straight to the Brazilian striker, who kicked it backwards with her left foot straight in.  

Tarpley would record the game-winner in the 61st minute.  The Chicago forward took a feed from Megan Rapinoe, spun around a Freedom defender and buried her shot in the upper left corner for her third goal of the season, retying Cristiane for the team scoring lead.

Caroline Jonsson was back in early season form, putting on a "saving clinic" as LA writer Jo-Ryan Salazar has described it more than once. While she wasn't under as much pressure as her counterpart for The Freedom, Jonsson played brilliantly when challenged.

On the other side of the field, Canadian international keeper, Erin McCleod made numerous impressive stops, but was saved by the cross bar on several more near misses from Chicago players.

At the end of the day, the stats told the story of Chicago's dominance, outshooting Washington 28-16, but for a change, the scoreboard was in line with the rest of the numbers. 

It was an especially effective win for Chicago since the Red Stars gained three points on fourth place Washington in the race for the final WPS playoff berth. The win also moves Chicago from seventh place to fifth, with 14 points, just two points shy of The Freedom, though Washington has a game in hand.

The Red Stars have a bye in WPS, this coming weekend, but will not be idle. They take on the Irish National Team, including their own Mary Threse McDonnell, for a friendly, at Benedictine University in suburban Lisle, IL, at 3 PM. Season ticket holders may use their "Bonus Game 1" tickets for free admission.