Sky Blue FC forward Sarah Walsh (left) celebrates with Heather O'Reilly after her 7th minute goal. Sky Blue defeated the Chicago Red Stars 2-0 on May 10, 2009, at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, IL. (Allen | isiphotos.com)

Boxscore (all statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial)

Bridgeview, Ill. – Sarah Walsh and Natasha Kai each scored a goal as Sky Blue FC (1-2-2) handed the Chicago Red Stars (2-1-1) their first loss of the season Sunday night before 3,664 fans at TOYOTA PARK.

Sky Blue FC came out on the attack from the start of the match.  Playing at the top of the box in the 7th minute, Collette McCallum passed a perfect ball to Walsh who slipped behind two Chicago defenders and beat Caroline Jönsson to the left side of the net for her first goal of the season.  The tally also marked the first time in franchise history Chicago trailed in a match.

The normally high-powered Red Stars offense was held in check by the visitors’ defense all night. Chicago didn’t manage a shot on goal until the second half, when the lethargic Red Stars offense did finally manage an opportunity.  The Red Stars’ best chance of the night came in the 62nd minute when Cristiane, in for Megan Rapinoe, fed the ball to Carli Lloyd at the top of the box.  In past the defense, Lloyd tangled with teammate Karen Carney – who was whistled offside, negating the opportunity.  

“I don’t think any one of our players had a good game today,” said Red Stars Head Coach Emma Hayes.  “You can’t win games if your players are under performing. Unfortunately, we didn’t do some basic things, got exposed and were punished for it.  I don’t think it was one single area, I thought it was everywhere.”

Sky Blue FC sealed the win with Kai’s first goal of the season in the 78th minute.  Walsh played the ball into the middle of the box, where she was confronted by a charging Jönsson.  Before the Swede could knock the ball away, Walsh hit a right cross to Kai who buried it in the empty net.

The Red Stars return to action on Saturday, May 16th at TOYOTA PARK for rematch with FC Gold Pride.  Sky Blue FC travels to California for a re-match with the Los Angeles Sol on Friday, May 15th at Home Depot Center. 

Boxscore (all statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial)


POST GAME QUOTES

SKY BLUE FC HEAD COACH IAN SAWYERS:

“Obviously to come in playing such a strong side in Chicago we knew we had our work cut out for us, but we had a great week of practice -we reestablished our structure, talked about our goals and getting results.”

“I was very proud of the way the team played today – they played with a lot of heart and a lot of poise.  We started scoring goals which is a good sign for us because we have some good goal scorers.”

“Chicago made it very difficult, especially at the end of the game.  I’m getting old, but that last ten minutes of the game made me even older.  I’m very proud of the players today; they really stepped it up and expressed themselves.”

SKY BLUE FC FORWARD SARAH WALSH:

“Collette McCallum and I know each other’s game inside and out so the ball through was perfect.  We’ve had three or four games without a goal, so it was just a huge relief to get a goal and to be up.  To be honest, I was surprised we were up.”

“I’ve never been so relieved, to have my club win a game.  We worked hard for it and we deserved it.”

SKY BLUE FC FORWARD NATASHA KAI:

“The goal came off a great run from Kelly Parker.  The ball was probably already going in, but I made sure it went in to secure a 2-0 lead.”

“It felt good to score not just for me, but for our team in general.  I just hope this carries on to our next game.”

CHICAGO HEAD COACH EMMA HAYES:

“We came into this game knowing New Jersey didn’t have a win and it’s always difficult when you’re playing against a team that has absolutely nothing to lose.  I thought they were the better team from the very first whistle - they wanted it, they were good defensively, they were good in their attack and we struggled all evening to get our game going.”

“I’m realizing this evening that with the bye week we lost our momentum and we’ve got to get that back.”

“Cristiane missed the majority of preseason, she was injured for a ten day period and then she left to be with her national team.  In all fairness she hasn’t been with the team an awful lot, so we’ve been building her fitness little by little.  She’s in a good place now and I think you’ll see a lot from Cristiane from this point on.”

“I don’t think any one of our players had a good game today, you can’t win games if your players are under performing.  Unfortunately, we didn’t do some basic things, got exposed and were punished for it.  I don’t think it was one single area, I thought it was everywhere.  I know my team well enough, they will learn from it and bounce back.”

CHICAGO MIDFIELDER MEGAN RAPINOE:

“Give credit to their back line, they stepped together and they stepped well.  We didn’t do well with our timing - we held on to the ball a little too long, we were a little too anxious making our runs and we were just off today.”