**Bridgeview, Illinois** – The Chicago Red Stars and Washington Spirit experienced different periods of chance domination throughout the first and second half, but neither side was able to convert one of those chances in front of goal as the pair settled for a scoreless draw at SeatGeek Stadium.
The first half was all Red Stars in attack with the hosts creating multiple opportunities in front of goal and forcing Washington goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury into action throughout.
In the fourth minute, Chicago created the first real look on goal as the forward Pugh charged into the attacking third and then shuffled her way into the penalty area. Picking her head up, Pugh drove a low ball across the box that passed one teammate and nearly got to another at the back post only for the Spirit defense to clear the opportunity away.
Then, Chicago forward Sarah Luebbert drew a save from Kingsbury in the 10 ^th minute and nearly clattered the crossbar with another effort five minutes later. Building from there, in the 19 ^th minute, Kingsbury set her feet and caught a left-footed effort from Mallory Pugh after the attacker had cut inside, opting not to take the ball down to the endline.
The best chance of the half for the hosts came in the 35 ^th minute, though, again with Mallory Pugh on the ball. Taking a free kick from the far-right flank, Pugh whipped a ball into the box that split the near post and penalty spot to connect with the head of attacker Rachel Hill. Pushing the ball to her left with power, Hill’s effort ended up bouncing off the post and away as the chance went missing.
Including a half-chance for Pugh at the end of the first half that did cause Kingsbury to make a save, Chicago and Washington went into the halftime interval scoreless despite the Red Stars carrying a six-to-two advantage in shots, including three on target to zero for the Spirit.
Washington nearly immediately changed the tune of the match at the start of the second half with the introduction of forward Trinity Rodman into the lineup. It then took the Spirit just three minutes to test Chicago goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, with Rodman working her way into the box and rifling a strong shot off the far post and away.
Then, truthfully, Naeher made the play of the entire night to keep the Spirit off the scoresheet. In the 49 ^th minute, Washington defender Morgan Goff lifted a cross from out wide and found the head of forward Ashley Hatch. Hatch then put her effort on target, only for Naeher to produce an unbelievable save before her teammates cleared the danger.
After small chances for both sides went awry, Washington again had the opportunity to break the deadlock just three minutes after the hour mark. In possession on the left side just a few yards into the Chicago half, a threaded aerial ball across the field nearly fell to the feet of forward Trinity Rodman who would have had a golden look on goal. Instead, Naeher came rushing out from her regular position to clear the ball away enough from danger.
Chicago did end up working their own way in the second half, and Mallory Pugh had a chance to put the game to bed with just outside of 10 minutes left in regulation. Teammate Ava Cook had the ball in midfield and spotted the defense-splitting run from Pugh in time to play her in. Taking one touch forward, Pugh attempted a low shot to the far post only for Kingsbury to rush out and get big and low to prevent the score.
In the dying embers of the match, Washington’s Ashley Sanchez hit the crossbar and Rodman had another solid strike on goal saved by Naeher, but neither the Red Stars nor the Spirit were ultimately able to find the back of the net.
The result extends Chicago’s unbeaten run to five games including the two draws against Washington in two out of the last three weeks. Meanwhile, Washington’s struggles continue as they are now winless in seven games though they have drawn five of their last six to still salvage some points.

Match Highlights

Match Highlights