April 8, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Chicago Red Stars News Release
CHICAGO, Ill. – The Chicago Red Stars and the Mexican Women’s National Team (MWNT) delivered an action-packed match this afternoon that, unfortunately, did not go Chicago’s way, as the team fell 5-2 to Mexico. The inaugural MexTour W match saw the professional debut of three Red Stars and the debut of new Red Stars players who saw their first minutes with the club.
Julia Bianchi, one of the players to debut as a Red Star this afternoon, helped swing momentum toward the Chicago side with a goal she scored from a corner kick attempt. Bianchi’s goal helped stun a formidable Mexico team that was poised to enter halftime with a 3-0 lead. Soon after Bianchi’s goal, the Red Stars struck once more. This time it was Naperville native, Sarah Griffith, who got her head on a crossed ball from Jenna Bike to pull the Red Stars within one goal heading into the half.
The Red Stars put up a fight entering the second half, but Mexico got their second wind and put the game away with two second-half goals. Despite the loss, Mackenzie Wood showed some flashes of brilliance for the Red Stars. At times,the rookie goalkeeper faced a barrage of shots that she punched or deflected out of harm’s way.
KEY MOMENTS:
6′ A mix up on the defensive end leaves Chicago’s net exposed but Amanda Kowalski is able to step in and make a save by heading away a ball that was dangerously close to falling into the net
10′ Diana Ordoñez on the break gets a clear shot at goal, but Mackenzie Wood gets a glove on the ball and Kowalski is able to clear the rebound
16′ Tatumn Milazzo races Ordoñez to the ball and is able to stop the forward from getting a clear shot on goal with a well-timed slide tackle
18′ A mistake in the Red Stars’ 18-yard box gives Mexico a penalty attempt. Charlyn Corral takes the shot for Mexico and is able to convert giving Mexico the lead, 1-0
22′ A ball rattles around the outside of the 18-yard box for Chicago, lands at the feet of Karla Nieto who is able to get her shot past the goalkeeper, 2-0 Mexico.
30′ Ella Stevens takes a shot from outside Mexico’s 18-yard box that bends toward goal, but goes just over the cross bar
34′ Mexico go on a break and find María Sánchez alone and she’s able to get a left footed shot past Wood to make it 3-0 Mexico
39′ Julia Bianchi’s lob into the box from a corner kick for the Red Stars bends all the way past Mexico’s keeper pulling a goal back for the Red…
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