Chicago Red Stars Continue to Improve Under New Coach, Vs. DC

The Chicago Red Stars have only lost once since the sacking of Head Coach Emma Hayes. Tonight against the Washington Freedom, Chicago added another non-loss to that record, tying 0-0.

Despite dominating the game on both ends of the pitch, Chicago couldn't buy a goal as the two teams battled in Women's Professional Soccer action at Maryland SoccerPlex on Sunday.

In the match, the Red Stars banged out a season-high 23 total shots and 11 shots on goal, consistently challenging Freedom goalkeeper Erin McLeod.

Brazilian international Cristiane had six shots; five of of them were on goal. Ella Masar had an opportunity for a close-range header within the six-yard box. Karen Carney had a couple of scoring chances, and in the closing minutes, Casey Nogueira had a chance with McLeod out of the net, but Nogueira's shot was pushed wide.

Chicago played much of the game with all 10 field players in the offensive third.

"Plain and simple, we dominated the game," Red Stars Head Coach Omid Namazi said. "But once again, we didn't finish our chances in front of the goal. We had four, or five, very clear chances to score, and on a day like this, with very hot conditions, our performance was very good, and our energy level was good."

Once again, Chicago's defense played with increased consistency and urgency, shutting down the opponents attack. The Red Stars defense held Washington to only five shots and three shots on goal for the entire match.

"Overall, the back line was great," Namazi said. "Our defense was good, and in the midfield our runs were good. It was just that finishing touch that we lacked."

Red Stars goalkeeper Jillian Loyden made three saves for her fourth shutout of the season, tying the Red Stars season record set by Caroline Jonsson during the inaugural 2009 WPS campaign.

McLeod made 10 saves for Washington.

The Red Stars wrapped up their four-game road trip with a 1-1-2 mark and are now 3-5-4 overall. Washington (4-3-4) stays three points ahead of Chicago for fourth in the WPS standings.

The Red Stars will return home for three of their next four matches, starting with a 7:30 p.m. match on Wednesday, July 7, against the Atlanta Beat at Toyota Park.

Chicago Red Stars at Washington Freedom
July 4, 2010 Maryland SoccerPlex, Boyds, Md.
Red Stars 0, Freedom 0
Red Stars   0    0   -   0
Freedom     0    0   -   0
SCORING SUMMARY
None.
Red Stars: Loyden (GK), Dalmy, Markgraf, Engen, Spilger, Formiga, Chapman, Carney, Cristiane (Asante, 87), Masar (Nogueira, 68), Rapinoe (Asllani, 72).
Freedom: McLeod (GK), Sauerbrunn, Whitehill, Marshall, Sawa, Bompastor (Goebel, 46), Huffman, Wambach, Mykjaland (Eveland, 72), Long (Klein, 87), Moros.
STATISTICS:
Shots: Red Stars 23, Freedom 5
Shots on goal: Red Stars 11, Freedom 3
Saves: Freedom 10, Red Stars 3
Corner kicks: Red Stars 3, Freedom 5
Offsides: Red Stars 1, Freedom 2
Fouls: Red Stars 8, Freedom 8
Cautions and ejections:
None.
Referee: Tony Crush
Referee's assistants: Matthew Kreitzer, Amy Mahan
Fourth official: Bryan Roslund