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Soccer Tue Jun 08 2010
Chicago Red Stars Complete Homestand
Despite dominating possession and outshooting their opponent 16-5, the Chicago Red Stars were held to a scoreless draw against the Atlanta Beat on Sunday at Toyota Park. With the draw, the Red Stars move to 2-4-2 on the season while Atlanta falls to 0-5-2.
It was also newly-appointed Red Stars Head Coach Omid Namazi's first match after taking over coaching duties for Emma Hayes.
"I could look at it in a disappointing way and say we dropped some points, but it's my first game here so we're trying to change certain things," Namazi emphasized. "We did some of it, but we were missing that final pass. Our play in the final third wasn't that great, but I was encouraged by the way we controlled the game."
"Dictated" is more like it.
The Red Stars had numerous chances to get on the scoreboard throughout the match, particularly a Karen Carney blast from 25 yards out that was miraculously saved by Atlanta goalkeeper Hope Solo. Or a one-on-one opportunity for Megan Rapinoe in the 51st minute against Solo, who singlehandedly prevented the Beat from enduring another loss with her eight saves.
A scary moment in the match came in the 11th minute when Red Stars defender Natalie Spilger and Atlanta forward Mami Yamaguchi collided, resulting in stitches for both players. Spilger received seven stitches on the top of her head while Yamaguchi needed eight to close a gash on her forehead.
After finishing their three-game homestand with a 1-1-1 record, the Red Stars now depart on a four-game road trip, beginning with a 6 p.m. match on Saturday, June 12, against the Washington Freedom in Boyds, Md. The Red Stars are currently fifth in the Women's Professional Soccer league with eight points recorded.
John / June 8, 2010 5:20 PM
I LOVE THE RED STARS!