By Amelia Hirtle
Heading into the final regular season home game for the Chicago Red Stars, the goal seemed simple, win at home. Most of their wins in the regular season have come on their home pitch. Kansas City has struggled for much of the season as an expansion team; however, they have gotten positive results as of late.
Kansas City started strong defensively, giving the Red Stars some trouble as they tried to advance their attack. The Red Stars saw two of their early chances hit the post. Along with a few misses wide of the post by Mal Pugh and Kealia Watt. The opening goal came in the 34th minute off a corner kick from Pugh. A header from Tierna Davidson off the initial kick from Pugh, saw a deflection from KC player Kristen Edmonds that ended in an own goal for KC, giving Chicago the 1-0 lead. Shortly after that Hallie Mace was left unmarked in the box and got the equalizer from a header.
Heading into the half, with a score of 1-1, the Red Stars looked to retake the lead. Pugh was able to bring the ball up to pitch and pass it off to Watt who then gave it to Makenzy Doniak for a tap-in to give Chicago their lead back. In the 58th minute, Pugh missed on a volley that went wide to put the game away.
KC did not stop in their attack. Chicago keeper Cassie Miller was forced to make a save in the 76th minute as KC attempted to claw their way back to a goal. In the end, KC came up empty. With a final score of 2-1, the Red Stars were able to get a win in their final home game of the regular season.
With the international break, most teams will be on a break and return to play in 2 weeks. Gotham FC will play Kansas City during the break, on Friday, October 22nd.
Chicago will return to play on Friday, October 29th as they face the Orlando Pride who have been officially eliminated from playoff contention. The game will take place in Orlando and begin at 6:00 pm CT (7:00 pm ET).