Kansas City Earns First Point With Draw in Chicago

CHICAGO (April 21, 2021) – Kansas City NWSL earns its first point of the 2021 Challenge Cup season with a 1-1 draw against the Chicago Red Stars. A defensive battle for most of the night, both teams were able to find the back of the net in the final 10 minutes to end the night tied up at 1-1. 

Earlier in the week, Head Coach Huw Williams talked with media about the strong Chicago midfield, and they proved to be a problem throughout the first half. Kansas City continuously found themselves facing an attack from the Red Stars. Goalkeeper Abby Smith stood strong as she and her defense turned away several attacks and five first half corner kicks.

At halftime Williams adjusted his team’s focus to bring his attackers inside and try to drive the offense through the middle of the field. The adjustments allowed Kansas City to control possession through the first 15 minutes of the second half. KC added six shots in the second half.

The stalemate was finallhy broken in the 80^th minute. Smith punted the ball from her penalty box two-thirds of the way down the field. When she noticed some confusion between the Chicago defense and their goalkeeper, forward Amy Rodriguez jumped on the bouncing ball and slotted it into the back of the net. 

Chicago answered only two minutes later as Katie Johnson converted on a pass from Arin Wright in the 82^nd minute.

Both teams pushed towards goal in the final minutes, but neither side could find a goal. The draw earns Kansas City a point in the Challenge Cup tournament, its first in team history.

Kansas City returns home and turns its focus on the Houston Dash, who they host on Monday, April 26 at home at Legends Field. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. CT and the game will be streamed live on Paramount+.

NWSL Match Report
Match: Chciago Red Stars vs Kansas City NWSL
Date: April 21, 2021
Venue: SeatGeek Stadium, Bridgeview, IL

Kickoff: 5:37 p.m. CT, 6:37 p.m. ET
Weather: 43 degrees, cloudy

Discipline

25’ CHI Danielle Colaprico (Yellow)

66’ CHI Julie Ertz (Yellow)

85’ KC Gaby Vincent

Scoring

80’ KC Rodriguez (Smith)

82’ CHI Johnson (Wright)

Scoring Summary

Lineups:
Chicago Red Stars: Naeher, Davisdon, Short, Wright, Gorden, DiBernardo (83’Woldmoe), Brian (71’ Doniak), Ertz, Colaprico (83’ Stanton), Pugh (35’ Johnson), Ohai (71’ Hill)

Substitutes Not Used: Goralski, Leubbert, Miller, Sharples, 

Kansas City: Smith, Corsie, Bowen, Del Fava, Maemone, Scott, Vincent, LaBonta (75’ Logarzo), Pickett (90’+4 Larroquette), Rodriguez, Vasconcelos (52’ Listro)

Substitutes Not Used: Miramontez, Barnhart, Leach, Nolf, Nick, McCain

CHICAGO (April 21, 2021) – Kansas City NWSL earns its first point of the 2021 Challenge Cup season with a 1-1 draw against the Chicago Red Stars. A defensive battle for most of the night, both teams were able to find the back of the net in the final 10 minutes to end the night tied up at 1-1. 

Earlier in the week, Head Coach Huw Williams talked with media about the strong Chicago midfield, and they proved to be a problem throughout the first half. Kansas City continuously found themselves facing an attack from the Red Stars. Goalkeeper Abby Smith stood strong as she and her defense turned away several attacks and five first half corner kicks.

At halftime Williams adjusted his team’s focus to bring his attackers inside and try to drive the offense through the middle of the field. The adjustments allowed Kansas City to control possession through the first 15 minutes of the second half. KC added six shots in the second half.

The stalemate was finallhy broken in the 80^th minute. Smith punted the ball from her penalty box two-thirds of the way down the field. When she noticed some confusion between the Chicago defense and their goalkeeper, forward Amy Rodriguez jumped on the bouncing ball and slotted it into the back of the net. 

Chicago answered only two minutes later as Katie Johnson converted on a pass from Arin Wright in the 82^nd minute.

Both teams pushed towards goal in the final minutes, but neither side could find a goal. The draw earns Kansas City a point in the Challenge Cup tournament, its first in team history.

Kansas City returns home and turns its focus on the Houston Dash, who they host on Monday, April 26 at home at Legends Field. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. CT and the game will be streamed live on Paramount+.

NWSL Match Report
Match: Chciago Red Stars vs Kansas City NWSL
Date: April 21, 2021
Venue: SeatGeek Stadium, Bridgeview, IL

Kickoff: 5:37 p.m. CT, 6:37 p.m. ET
Weather: 43 degrees, cloudy

Discipline

25’ CHI Danielle Colaprico (Yellow)

66’ CHI Julie Ertz (Yellow)

85’ KC Gaby Vincent

Scoring

80’ KC Rodriguez (Smith)

82’ CHI Johnson (Wright)

Scoring Summary

Lineups:
Chicago Red Stars: Naeher, Davisdon, Short, Wright, Gorden, DiBernardo (83’Woldmoe), Brian (71’ Doniak), Ertz, Colaprico (83’ Stanton), Pugh (35’ Johnson), Ohai (71’ Hill)

Substitutes Not Used: Goralski, Leubbert, Miller, Sharples, 

Kansas City: Smith, Corsie, Bowen, Del Fava, Maemone, Scott, Vincent, LaBonta (75’ Logarzo), Pickett (90’+4 Larroquette), Rodriguez, Vasconcelos (52’ Listro)

Substitutes Not Used: Miramontez, Barnhart, Leach, Nolf, Nick, McCain