By Amelia Hirtle
The Chicago Red Stars traveled to Portland to face the Thorns in the second semifinal match on Saturday, November 14th. Before kickoff, the Washington Spirit played the OL Reign in Tacoma and won with a score of 2-1, giving them first of two spots in the final game.
The NWSL injury report revealed that Red Stars players Kayla Sharples and Mallory Pugh were both out due to Covid-19 protocols. After the game, Head Coach Rory Dames said that both players are currently asymptomatic and they will follow the necessary requirements but he hopes they are both able to return for the final. On the other side, the Portland Thorns were missing Crystal Dunn due to pregnancy and Lindsay Horan for a serious eye injury that occurred in training.
Chicago has been one of the few teams to have recent success against the Thorns. They beat them at the end of September by a score of 2-1.
In the 23rd minute of the game Red Stars forward Kealia Watt exited the game due to an apparent knee injury. Her replacement, Katie Johnson, entered the game and scored in the 37th minute. The visitors held 38% possession in the first half and took only 2 shots, with the 1 on target being the Johnson goal.
The second half saw similar stats as the first. Even with limited possession, the Red Stars were able to control the ball when they had it to slow the attack of the Thorns. The second goal from Chicago came from a long distance shot from Sarah Woldmoe in the 59th minute.
Portland scrambled to get one back in the final 30 minutes but was unable to do so. Chicago keeper Cassie Miller, who has stepped in for the injured Alyssa Naeher, made 6 saves on the night.
Chicago will travel to Louisville to take on the Washington Spirit in the NWSL Final Saturday, November 20th at 12 PM ET.