(David Durochik | isiphotos.com)
Lindsay Tarpley and the Red Stars' attack shutout for third straight match.
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – Not even a lineup shake-up could help the Chicago Red Stars snap out of a losing streak.
With usual starters Cristiane, Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe all watching the opening kickoff from the bench, the Red Stars dropped a 2-0 decision to the Boston Breakers Sunday afternoon before 3,889 fans at TOYOTA PARK.
The Breakers (4-4-3) didn’t have many chances in the match but the visitors made the most of them, starting when Kristine Lilly sent a long pass to teammate Amy Rodriguez inside the box in the 22nd minute. Splitting two Chicago defenders, Rodriguez beat Caroline Jönsson for her first goal of the season.
Chicago (2-5-5) nearly tied it up a minute later when Lindsay Tarpley put a shot off the crossbar – but the ricochet eluded a wide-open Rapinoe and was cleared by the Breakers defense. Rapinoe came on as a first-half substitute for defender Marian Dalmy, who sprained her ankle in a collision that resulted in a caution for Boston’s Kelly Smith.
The Red Stars had more chances for an equalizer in the second half, twice beating Boston goalkeeper Allison Lipsher only to have the shot cleared off the goal line by a defender.
In the 68th minute Tarpley fired a rocket from the top of the box that replays showed hit off the arm of Breakers defender Alex Scott, but play continued without a hand ball whistle.
“I’m very proud of my players today,” said Red Stars coach Emma Hayes. “I think the better team lost the game and I think if we could extend the goal width in either direction then we wouldn’t be talking about a clean sheet.”
Boston added a second-half stoppage time goal when Lilly scored on a penalty kick. Red Stars defender Nikki Krzysik earned a yellow card for a foul against Jennifer Nobis in the box, and referee Dallas Malhiwsky awarded the Breakers a penalty shot, which Lilly easily buried for her third goal of the year.
The loss is the third consecutive shutout for Chicago, which has now played 313 minutes without scoring, dating back to a second-half goal at FC Gold Pride June 7.
Chicago remains in seventh place in the WPS standings, while the win moves Boston into sole-possession of third place pending other league action Sunday night.
The Red Stars return to action for a special midweek game with Abby Wambach and the Washington Freedom at 7:30 pm Wednesday, July 1st at TOYOTA PARK. Family four packs are available for the match, featuring four tickets, four hot dogs and four soft drinks and starting at just $64. Four packs purchased in Premier and Midfield seating sections also include a family photo taken on the sidelines following the game. Tickets are available by calling (866) WPS-2009 or logging on to www.chicagoredstars.com.
Boston Breakers (4-4-3, 15 pts) at Chicago Red Stars (2-5-5, 11 pts)
June 21, 2009 – TOYOTA PARK
SCORING
1 2 FINAL
Boston 1 1 2
Chicago 0 0 0
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. BOS – Amy Rodriguez, 1 (Kristine Lilly, 1), 22.
2. BOS – Lilly, 3 (PK), 90+.
Boston Breakers – Lipsher; Goffi (Schmedes, 55), Chapman, LePeilbet, Mitts; Moore (Latham, 67), Scott, Hucles, Lilly; Rodriguez (Nobis, 60), Smith.
Chicago Red Stars – Jönsson; Dieke (Cristiane, 46), Oakes (Lloyd, 71), Krzysik, Spilger; Dalmy (Rapinoe, 18), Igwe, Östberg, Klein, Carney; Tarpley.
STATISTICS
SHOTS: BOS – 4 CHI – 13
SHOTS ON GOAL: BOS – 2 CHI – 5
SAVES: BOS – 4 CHI – 0
FOULS: BOS – 11 CHI – 15
CORNER KICKS: BOS – 1 CHI – 7
OFFSIDES: BOS – 4 CHI – 5
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
BOS – Kelly Smith (caution; dissent), 15.
CHI – Chioma Igwe (caution; unsporting behavior), 86.
CHI – Nikki Krzysik (caution; unsporting behavior), 90+.
Referee: Dallas Malhiwsky
Referee’s Assistants: Veronica Perez; Greg Dopka
4th Official: Stephanie Toth
Time of Game: 1:53
Attendance: 3,889
Weather: 84 degrees, cloudy, humid.
All statistics included in this box score are unofficial.
QUOTES
Boston Coach Tony DiCicco:
“I think it was a gutty performance. It was difficult to play in this weather and I thought it was really important to score first because chasing the game in this weather is not easy.”
“This league has a lot left. Every team is so competitive. Every team can beat every other team. It’s fun, except for the coaches.”
“Chicago probably deserved more, but we’ve been on that side of the games as well. So we’re delighted with the win and we went out with the right mentality.”
Red Stars Coach Emma Hayes:
“We sent the team out today to show that they can perform as a team and I’m very proud of my players today. I think the better team lost the game and I think if we could extend the goal width in either direction then we wouldn’t be talking about a clean sheet.”
“This is the first time since I’ve been the coach here that I have a real hurt dressing room. They are hurt because they know that they put everything into the game and they performed to the best of their ability. The ball didn’t go in the back of the net, but you know there have been a lot of good performances.”
“For us, we executed our game plan and we’re going to take the momentum and energy from the team today into LA. If you want to write this team off it’s at your peril because we have very hungry players right now.”
Red Stars Forward Lindsay Tarpley:
“I think that I had some chances tonight and I wish I could have finished them. I’ll be working on that.”
“From the people on the field to the people on the bench, we were a tight union. I think it hurts more today because we felt so unified. I think we’re going to build from this. I have no doubt what our potential is for our team. I know we’re going to step up individually and collectively and find a way to continue to represent this club in a great way.”