Chicago Stars FC (0-1-0, 0 pts) take the pitch against the Houston Dash (0-1-0, 0 pts) March 23 at 2 p.m. CT for the club’s home opener, presented by United Airlines. The Stars make their return to the Windy City looking for their first victory, while the Dash arrive to SeatGeek Stadium fresh off their own loss at home, eager to come out on top.
The Chicago Stars home opener, presented by United Airlines, will feature multiple exciting and fun activations for fans of all ages. Fans can catch a bus from select bars in Chicago to SeatGeek Stadium as part of the inaugural installment of the Jameson Pub to Pitch bus program. Jameson Pub to Pitch tickets can be added onto any new or existing ticket purchase for just $20. A food and ticket package is also available for purchase prior to the match, including a pair of tickets to the match and two $10 food vouchers. When gates open at 1 p.m. CT, ticketed fans can enjoy live music from DJ Tess, take part in life-size soccer darts, preview the match by playing EAFC and more in the Chicago Stars FC Fan Zone, presented by Jameson. Kids can also look forward to face painting, bracelet making, coloring and more in the Cosmos Corner.
During the match, fans can look forward to new in-stadium hosts, with Lexi Ayala making her debut March 23, and the return of DJ Step providing in-match music. Throughout the match, fans will have the chance to catch mini balls or t-shirts, as well as cheering on a contestant in the halftime crossbar challenge.
The Chicago Stars fell at home to the Houston Dash, 1-2, in the team’s home opener, presented by United Airlines. Despite the loss, today’s match saw the return of defender, Sam Staab, and forward, Ludmila, to the starting lineup. Staab appeared in the club’s season opener against Orlando as a substitute, but this was the defender’s first start since suffering a season-ending injury last summer. Brazilian, Ludmila, completed a three-match suspension from a red card and is now fully available for the Stars. Additionally, forward, Jameese Joseph, scored the first goal of the season for the Stars, while defender, Bea Franklin, notched her first career assist on Joseph’s goal.
From the first whistle, the Stars looked to be ready to fight back after the loss opening weekend. The team pressed high on Houston forcing them to turn the ball over in dangerous areas and forcing some early corner kick attempts. It took Houston about 13 minutes to finally get a chance at Chicago’s goal. Houston sent a cross into Chicago’s 18-yard box that found the foot of a Dash player, but fortunately, the attempt smacked off the post and was eventually cleared. A few minutes later, with momentum still in Houston’s favor, Ryan Gareis took a shot from distance that forced Chicago’s Alyssa Naeher to dive to her left, but luckily the shot was wide of the target.
In the 17th minute, Chicago defender, Bea Franklin, sent a long ball that landed just outside Houston’s 18-yard box and before defender, Paige Neilsen, could gain possession, forward, Jameese Joseph, tactfully stormed over to possess the ball, dribble into the box and slot a shot low and out of keeper, Jane Campbell’s reach to put Chicago up 1-0.
The goal, however, was short lived as three minutes later Houston won a corner kick attempt that was taken from Chicago’s right side by Bárbara Olivieri. Olivieri’s cross into the box bounced around before the Dash’s Messiah Bright touched it over to Neilsen who tied the match, 1-1.
In the second half, the Stars came out ready to continue the fight creating changes of their own through Joseph while weathering the elements and the attack of Houston simultaneously. In the 64th minute, however, a miscalculation with an offside trap allowed Houston’s Delanie Sheehan to slot a ball past Chicago’s backline to Maggie Graham who in turn put the Dash up 1-2 with a shot at goal. Chicago contested the player’s eligibility in their positioning, but a short review from the VAR referees determined Graham was onside and verified the goal.
The physical match continued for another half hour, which gave Chicago’s youngest player, Micayla Johnson, the chance to come in and try to will another goal for Chicago. Johnson intercepted a pass in the midfield and carried it fearlessly to Houston’s 18-yard box and took a shot that was saved, but sparked the Chicago crowd. Later, with some quick passing between Johnson, Cari Roccaro and Camryn Biegalski, Johnson got the ball back and teed up a shot, but unfortunately sailed it over the crossbar.
Chicago fall to 0-2-2 on the season and now turn their attention to Racing Louisville FC, who visit the Windy City Sunday, March 30, at 3 p.m. CT.
