Christen Press tallied a goal and an assist and the Chicago Red Stars ended their six-game winless streak on Saturday with a 2-0 victory over the Western New York Flash at Sahlen’s Stadium in Rochester, N.Y. The victory temporarily puts Chicago in second place in the NWSL with one week remaining in the regular season.
Press scored in spectacular fashion in the 40th minute, dribbling up the middle of the field to her left and beating three defenders, cutting back onto her right foot and curling her shot off the inside of the far post and into the net, leaving Flash goalkeeper Chantel Jones frozen. The goal is Press’ ninth in 10 NWSL games this season.
The 2015 World Cup champion played provider in the second half, assisting on Jen Hoy’s 65th minute goal. Press once again dribbled up the middle of the field before slotting a ball in behind the Flash’s defense for Hoy, who made a diagonal run across the field, toward Press. Hoy faced up to goal and tucked the ball past an on-rushing Jones.
Western New York’s best chances of the game came through right fullback Kristen Edmonds on similar plays in each half. Her first effort from 25-plus yards came in the 26th minute, when her left-footed shot forced a diving save out of Red Stars goalkeeper Michele Dalton. She replicated the left-footed effort from nearly the same distance in the 70th minute , when the ball looked destined for the upper corner until Dalton got a fingertip to the ball.
Chicago ends its regular season at home on Sept. 6 against the Houston Dash. The Red Stars entered Saturday in a three-way tie with FC Kansas City and the Washington Spirit for second in the league. With Chicago’s win, FC Kansas City now cannot host a semifinal due to tiebreakers.
The Flash will finish out the season at home on Friday against Portland. Both teams are eliminated from playoff contention.
