CHICAGO – The Red Stars fell to Portland 3-2 in the 2018 home opener at Toyota Park. Midfielder Alyssa Mautz earned the two Chicago goals, while Sofia Huerta assisted each.

Portland found the first goal in the ninth minute of the match. Off a corner kick from Meghan Klingenberg, midfielder Lindsey Horan controlled the ball and struck it past a diving Alyssa Naeher.

With Portland’s high pressure, the Red Stars were forced to play much of the first half out of the backline.

The Red Stars adjusted and were able to attack up the field. It paid off in the 31st minute with Summer Green producing skilled moves to get inside the box. Green was able to toe-poke the ball out to Huerta, who further moved the ball out to Mautz in the side of the 18-yard box. Mautz took a touch and shot, which was deflected over Adrianna Franch for the equalizer.

But just before halftime, Portland was able to regain their lead. Captain Christine Sinclair found room up the field. In a 1v1 situation, Naeher came off her line to meet Sinclair near the edge of the box. But unable to deflect the ball, Sinclair calmly slid it into an open net, taking a 2-1 lead into the second half.

Minutes into the second 90, Chicago were quick to threaten. After a Portland corner kick, Chicago quickly countered as Green crossed the ball wide to Gilliland streaking up the sideline. Gilliland sent the ball across the box to the far post, where Franch was able to tip it out for a Red Stars corner.

Portland upped their lead in the 65th minute after Danielle Colaprico was charged with a hand ball inside the box. Sinclair stepped up for the kick and slotted it past Naeher to make a 3-1 scoreline.

But just minutes later, Red Stars brought the Portland lead to one with another Huerta-Mautz combination. Huerta brought the ball to the end line, cutting it back up to the six-yard box into open space. Mautz met the ball with one touch to send it past Franch.

Chicago narrowly equalized twice in the second-half stoppage time with a shot off the crossbar by Huerta and a soaring shot by Yenney. But neither were enough to draw, leaving Chicago with the 3-2 defeat.

After the international FIFA break, the Red Stars will pick the season back up on Saturday, April 14, in Rio Tinto Stadium when they visit the newest club to the league, Utah Royals FC, for the Lifetime Game of the Week. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT, and will be broadcast live on Lifetime, the NWSL app and the go90 app.

– CHICAGO RED STARS MATCH REPORT –

MATCH: Chicago Red Stars vs. Portland Thorns FC

DATE: March 31, 2018

VENUE: Toyota Park; Bridgeview, Illinois

KICKOFF: 7:15 p.m. CT

ATTENDANCE: 13,678

WEATHER: 44 degrees, cloudy

Scoring Summary: 1 2 F

CHI 1 1 2

POR 2 1 3

POR – Lindsey Horan (Meghan Klingenberg) 9’

CHI – Alyssa Mautz (Sofia Huerta) 31’

POR – Christine Sinclair 40’

POR – Christine Sinclair (penalty kick) 65’

CHI – Alyssa Mautz (Sofia Huerta) 67’

Chicago Red Stars Lineup: 1-Alyssa Naeher (capt.); 7-Taylor Comeau, 5-Katie Naughton, 16-Samantha Johnson, 14-Sarah Gorden; 2-Nikki Stanton (25-Erin Yenney, 85), 24-Danielle Colaprico, 11-Sofia Huerta; 19-Summer Green (15-Michele Vasconcelos, 80), 4-Alyssa Mautz, 3-Arin Gilliland

Substitutes: 13-Lauren Kaskie, 21-Emily Boyd

Head Coach: Rory Dames

Portland Thorns FC Lineup: 24-Adrianna Franch; 2-Katherine Reynolds, 16-Emily Sonnett, 20-Kelly Hubly; 23-Margaret Purce, 30-Celeste Boureille, 10-Lindsey Horan, 25-Meghan Klingenberg; 12-Christine Sinclair (capt.), 34-Tyler Lussi (22-Ifeoma Onumonu, 46), 26-Mallory Weber (27-Elizabeth Ball, 72)

Substitutes: 33-Britt Eckerstrom, 36-Angela Salem, 39-Sandra Yu

Assistant Coach: Rich Gunney

Stats Summary: CHI / POR

Shots: 12/14

Shots on Goal: 3/5

Saves: 2/1

Corner Kicks: 3/3

Fouls: 9/12

Offside: 0/5

Misconduct Summary:

POR – Celeste Boureille (caution) 58’

CHI – Danielle Colaprico (caution) 64’

Officials:

Referee: Greg Dopka

Asst. Referee: Gjovalin Bori, Jeffrey Swartzel

4th Official: Ethan Buege

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