Alanna Kennedy Scores 1st-ever Goal Against Red Stars in Loss to Chicago

(Photo by Victor Tan / New Day Review)

Match Recap

The Orlando Pride still can’t seem to beat the Chicago Red Stars. In Saturday’s bout, the Red Stars (8-3-4, 28 points) defeated Orlando (5-6-4, 19 points) 2-1 at Toyota Park in both teams’ fourth-ever matchup. Red Stars forward Christen Press led the victory over Orlando again, this time with a brace.

In the 29th minute, a defensive slipup by Orlando’s back-line allowed a long ball over the top to Press. The National Women’s Soccer League’s leading shot-taker then dribbled the ball past Pride goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe in a near one-on-one situation to slot home the first goal of the game.

Orlando nearly retaliated in the 37th minute when right-back Camila Martins Pereira found space down the right flank to send a cross into forward Alex Morgan inside the box. Morgan’s ensuing header was an on-goal effort, but Red Stars Alyssa Naeher parried away the shot.

Press recorded her brace early in the second half, courtesy of a failed clearance by the Pride. In the 52nd minute, center-back Ali Krieger stepped up to clear the ball but mistouched it, allowing the deep ball toward goal. In the ensuing one-on-one situation with Bledsoe, Press went near-post to beat the second-year Pride keeper for a 2-0 lead.

Midfielder Alanna Kennedy scored the Pride’s first-ever goal against the Red Stars in the 93rd minute. A long ball into the box was headed to the back-post toward forward Rachel Hill. The rookie then centered the ball to Kennedy, who inward for the Pride’s lone goal of the match.

Woman of the Match: Christen Press

After scoring the game-winner and the only goal of the game in the Red Stars’ 1-0 win over the Pride on July 1, Press continued her dominance over Orlando with a brace on Saturday. All three of her shots were on target, and she drew two fouls.

What’s next?

The Pride will once again face the Red Stars in a home bout on Aug. 5 at 7:30 p.m.

Highlights

11′ | First bit of action for Aubrey today. Not Save of the Week stuff but it’ll do.

0-0 | #CHIvORL pic.twitter.com/ck1Q2VPjXS

— Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) July 22, 2017

This Connection 🔗@schuerta finds @ChristenPress for the goal. Again. pic.twitter.com/9ZjdAdkRiA

— Chicago Red Stars (@chicagoredstars) July 22, 2017

NDR Notes

• Kennedy scored the Pride’s first-ever goal against the Red Stars.

Scoring

Statistics and Starting Lineups

Chicago Red Stars starting XI (4-3-1-2): Alyssa Naeher (GK); Arin Gilliland, Casey Short, Kathleen Naughton, Taylor Comeau; Lauren Kaskie, Danielle Colaprico, Sofia Huerta; Vanessa DiBernardo; Christen Press, Jennifer Hoy

Orlando Pride starting XI (4-2-3-1): Aubrey Bledsoe (GK); Steph Catley, Toni Pressley, Ali Krieger (C), Camila Martins Pereira; Alanna Kennedy, Dani Weatherholt; Chioma Ubogagu, Marta Vieira da Silva, Jasmyne Spencer; Alex Morgan

For more on the Pride as they look for their first win over the Red Stars, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.