Chicago Red Stars Unbeaten Streak Ends at Three, Atlanta Beat Winless No More

The Chicago Red Stars were completely dominated by the winless expansion franchise, the Atlanta Beat, today in front of more than 3,500 fans, as the Beat treated their hometown fans to the frachise's first win in history, and their first goal in four games. That one goal was enough for the victory, 1-0.

Chicago was playing without three of their most effective offensive players this season: midfielders Karen Carney, Kate Chapman, and forward Kosovare Asllani, all of whom were on international duty in Europe for their respective teams, England and Sweden.

However, Atlanta was missing several players also. In addition to several who were playing in Europe, world-class goalkeeper Hope Solo was in South Africa on a humanitarian mission. 

In other words, both teams were missing key players. Consider it a wash.

The difference may have been the hole in the Red Stars defense. Chicago was also playing without the services of defender Natalie Spilger, who took a red card in the 90th minute of their draw with Washington last weekend as a result of an altercation with the Freedom's Abby Wambach.  

Spilger, who brings her scrappy, passionate play to Chicago's back line, was replaced by rookie Elise Weber, recently acquired for the developmental squad from St. Louis but on active duty due to the many Red Stars unavailable for tonight's game. Atlanta's lone goal came early in the game on a lapse by Weber.   

One Chicago player who was missing in action was the Brazilian international Cristiane. The club's leading scorer barely had her name called in this match. 

Chalk it up to Atlanta's defense, Chicago's offensive non-performance, or both, but the Red Stars rarely had an attack on the offensive end. Most of their forays near the Atlanta goal came on long balls or solo runs. There was minimal passing. In other words, in new head coach Omid Namazi's third match, the Red Stars played more like the team his predecessor coached.

In fact, you could say it was even worse than that. Under Hayes, the problem was dominance without production. Tonight, it was a lack of dominance or production plaguing the team. There were 11 Chicago players on the field at all times, but one had to count to verify that. Other than showing up, the Red Stars did little else.  

Again, key players were absent, but there's no excuse for not getting better performance from the likes of Rapinoe, Cristiane, Nogueira, and Formiga.

Chicago did turn up the offense a notch or two in the second half but while their aggressiveness and domination increased, their effectiveness did not. Very late in the game Chicago was still sitting on only two corner kicks and two shots on goal.

Cristiane did have a decent shot on goal in the 87th minute but the shot went wide. It was too little, too late.

The loss ends Chicago's three-game unbeaten streak. It also makes fans a little anxious about the prospects of the team under its new coach.

Chicago's next game is in Boston against the Breakers, Friday June 25. If the Red Stars are to make the playoffs, and Coach Namizi wants to solidify his position for the long run, it's getting close to being a must-win game.