Congrats Red Stars fans! Great gritty win last night! Headed to Chicago today to visit a friend. Really regretting not booking a flight a day earlier so I could go to that game. Dang!
Yes it was. My feed was so poor, at first I thought that shot was from Christen Press. I have actually been pretty impressed with Tancredi given her age and the amount of time she was out of the competitive game for school... I think she has looked really good for someone who has just returned to the field in past couple of weeks. Her experience and soccer IQ are evident.
Local newspaper on the Red Stars win and Tancredi's goal with quotes from her and Leblanc. http://napervillesun.suntimes.com/2...leblancs-shutout-lift-red-stars-past-seattle/
First of all. I'm very happy that Chicago won. Great effort. I must admit that when you predicted Reign's first loss I thought that it was a bold statement but you were right and I can't imagine how much fun it was to witness it from the stands. But saying that your team gets no love, you're wrong. I'm saying this as a Spirit fan. There are threads of some NWSL teams that are dead for weeks and it's ok. You can't force people to support your team. As long as fans are coming to games, everything's fine.
I understand. But I am also speaking for those other teams that get no or little love on these boards. This league is NOT just about Seattle and Portland.
I am (finally!) going to get to see the Red Stars play at Benedictine at the end of July (Houston game). I have seen them play in Boston (2x) and NJ (2x) and probably will see the DC game in DC. Keeping fingers crossed that it will be a good game and that my travel plans don't fall through.
A little about Saturday night's game vs. Seattle. I though Julie Johnston did a fantastic job on defense and calming everyone down. What a gem! Lori Chalupny did a good job of connecting defense and offense as much as possible and she along with Julianne Sitch did a good job of separating Fishlock and Little from combining. They had a tough assignment. I wish Christen Press was more up front. I saw her too many times backtracking in midfield or actually on defense. She is too good of a scorer to be back so far, IMO. I thought Juliann Sitch did a phenomenal job marking and being a disruptive force between the duo of Fishlock and Little. Leon also did a fine job keeping the ball wide, backtracking and made some cool moves as she likes to do. Bywaters looked good. Erceg played well, Karina Leblanc was very good in goal making a couple of key saves and of course the perfect power shot by Tanc. Just a great effort collectively by the whole team. As for the atmosphere, it was AWSEOME! Completely full stadium. After the game fans just kept hanging around even with lightning fireworks in the distance. Reminded me of that movie "We are Marshall". It was so cool to have a win in front of all those fans. Seems like everything lined up for the Red Stars Sat. night, including the weather which held off till the end with only a little rain and no interruptions. They played "Sweet Home Chicago", "Happy" and songs from the band Chicago, and other upbeat songs for a long time on the stadium speakers after the game was over. People were dancing, laughing and just having a great time. I was just "giddy" running around talking to people, players, family members of players, other fans and generally anyone that would talk to me. It was such a cool and fun atmosphere. I am so happy for fans of the Chicago Red Stars and I hope all those fans that came out and many came to see Hope Solo and the #1 team in the NWSL as well, that they will remember this atmosphere and come back and support the Red Stars and these players and other team's players that come in to play the CRS. The Red Stars, in my opinion are an important brand in the women's game and deserve our support in Chicago. So I appeal to all Chicago soccer fans to keep supporting this team so that we have many more awesome moments like we did Saturday night - for many years to come.
Not sure but he may have split up those two between last Wednesday against Portland and Saturday against seattle. Hoy started against Portland and Tancredi against Seattle. He did the same thing with Leon and Bywaters. Hoy has much more speed.
Given they're in the middle of a five-games-in-seventeen-days stretch, I'd bet it's just roster rotation. Can't start your best players every game in a stretch like that.
From Jeff Kassouf's twitter a few days ago (hope he doesn't mind). Jeff Kassouf @JeffKassouf · Jul 15 Lost in #NWSL goalscorer of the week vote will be Lori Chalupny, a big part of Chicago shutting down potent Seattle attack in its 1st loss. Lori may not be getting all the headlines this year. She may not be the shiny object that everyone on the boards wants to talk about game after game. However she is the rock, the calming figure, the inspirational leader, and non-stop great example for this team, the one that keeps everyone focused. You can see it from the seats. A REAL captain. And she is doing it without much noise or fanfare. Just quietly going about her business.
Yep...Yep...Yep....IMHO, Lori is the hardest working player in soccer, period. My favorite CRS player (among many I really like), period. Got my soccercrush going here.............
You know, she's kind of done it all - had it all and lost it all (more or less on the international stage)... but she is still passionate about the game. That experience, commitment and maturity are a big part of what she brings onto the field in every match. With so many young players stepping up big time for the Red Stars, you have to think she is a big part in their ability to do that.
Tonight's game at Benedictine should feel like a playoff game. Can't wait to get there in a few hours.
I wish your coach would stop benching DiBernardo and Hoy. I'd play Hoy at LAM, Bernardo at CAM, Bywaters at RAM, Chalups at DM, and Wenino at DM. With Chris at the striker spot where she is supposed to be.