Chicago Red Stars Remain Unbeaten in Post-Hayes Era with 2-2 DC Draw

In their 2-2 draw with Washington Freedom tonight, the Chicago Red Stars achieved two firsts for the season. They extended an unbeaten streak to three matches, and came from behind to avert defeat. 

Early on, the match was all Washington as the Freedom capitalized on their set pieces. Abby Wambach netted a goal in the 11th minute off of Cat Whitehill's pass, and the Freedom's Homare Sawa gave her club a 2-0 lead off of Sonia Bompastor's assist.

Both of Chicago's scores came from Brazilian international star Cristiane. Her first goal came at the 30th minute off of a Karen Carney assist.

Carney crossed the ball from the right side to the center of the box. Cristiane slid into the ball toward the far left post and found the back of the net to take away Washington's momentum.

Cristiane's second strike came in the 82nd minute, on a pass back from Casey Nogueira, who, coming off the bench, was a key factor in her club's comeback.

The Red Stars were looking for the victory toward the end, and Nogueira effectively created some chances. She had a corner kick from the left side that was cleared off the goal line by the Freedom defense, and she had a shot on the near right post that was saved by Washington goalkeeper Erin McLeod.

"She was a great spark off the bench," Namazi said of Nogueira. "She's really talented. I think she needs to be reminded of how good she is. When she's aggressive and taking people on, she is awesome. She could have scored a couple of goals."

Until now, Chicago had been unable to come from behind when even one goal down. Instead, riding the foot of Brazilian international star, Cristiane, who made both Chicago's scores, the Red Stars overcame a 2-0 defecit.

It was tough enough to save the draw, after having to play a woman down for two minutes of stoppage time due to the ejection of Chicago defender Natalie Spilger in the 90th minute. But the Freedom could not break through the Red Stars defense as Chicago played out the clock, leaving Washington with their third draw of the season, at 4-2-3 and 15 points.

Chicago emerges at 2-4-3 on the season with nine points.

Red Stars goalkeeper Jillian Loyden made two saves on the night, while the Freedom's McLeod had five saves.

English international, Anita Asante, recently acquired by the Red Stars following the dissolution of Saint Louis Athletica, made her Red Stars debut when she subbed in for Carney in the 68th minute.

For those who are looking for signs that new coach Omid Namazi can take Chicago to the next level, the jury may still be out (since they still haven't won a match under his tutelage) but the evidence supporting an improvement is growing stronger.

Certainly the evidence to support the front office's decision to make a coaching change is beyond reproach. Since former coach Emma Hayes' departure, Chicago has a 1-0-2 record and has scored five goals in four matches compared to three goals in the first six matches.

By scoring twice, Cristiane also took over the team lead with her second and third goals of the season, passing Nogueira with two scores, to date. Cristiane led the 2009 Red Stars with seven goals.

Cristiane and Nogueira are still the only Red Stars to find the back of the net this season, which has to be a matter of concern for Coach Namazi. Still, he was quick to affirm the positive in his postgame comments.

"I give our girls credit, they played with a lot of heart and effort," Namazi said. "We pushed Cris up higher to give her more chances, and she was a handful."

The Red Stars continue their road trip when they travel to Kennesaw, Ga., to face the Atlanta Beat at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 19.

The Red Stars will have to take on Atlanta without defender Natalie Spilger. She will be serving a one game suspension due to her red card.

Chicago and Atlanta played to a scoreless draw on June 6 at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill., in the first-ever meeting between the two squads.

Chicago Red Stars at Washington Freedom
June 12, 2010 -- Boyds, Md.
Red Stars 2, Freedom 2
Red Stars    1    1    -    2
Freedom     2    0    -    2

SCORING SUMMARY
1. WASH - Abby Wambach (Cat Whitehill), 11; 2. WASH - Homare Sawa (Sonia Bompaster), 18; 3. CHI - Cristiane (Karen Carney), 30; 4. CHI - Cristiane (Casey Nogueira), 82.
Red Stars: Loyden (GK), Dalmy, Engen, Markgraf, Spilger, Formiga, Chapman, Carney (Asante, 68), Asllani (Nogueira, 73), Cristiane, Rapinoe (Masar, 60).
Freedom: McLeod (GK), Sauerbrunn, Whitehill, Marshall, Sawa, Bompastor, Huffman, Welsh (Gilbeau, 56; Bock for Gilbeau, 80), Long, Moros, Wambach.

STATISTICS:
Shots: Red Stars 16, Freedom 8
Shots on goal: Red Stars 7, Freedom 4
Saves: Red Stars 2, Freedom 4
Corner kicks: Red Stars 5, Freedom 2
Offsides: Red Stars 4, Freedom 6
Fouls: Red Stars 12, Freedom 4
Cautions and ejections: CHI - Rapinoe, yellow card (36th minute, unsporting behavior); WASH - Bompastor, yellow card (70th minute, dissent); CHI - Spilger, yellow card (78th minute, unsporting behavior); CHI - Spilger, red card (90th minute)