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Chicago Red Stars v Houston Dash: NWSL Challenge Cup final – live! Chicago Red Stars 0-2 Houston Dash: NWSL Challenge Cup final – live!
(32 minutes later)
Minute-by-minute report: The Chicago Red Stars and Houston Dash meet for the Challenge Cup at Rio Tinto Stadium. Follow all the action with Beau DureMinute-by-minute report: The Chicago Red Stars and Houston Dash meet for the Challenge Cup at Rio Tinto Stadium. Follow all the action with Beau Dure
Toughness and resilience were the two winning qualities in this tournament, and the Houston Dash had both. Not sure why the MVP award went to Shea Groom rather than someone on the defense, but we don’t vote on those things.
So on that note, congratulations to the Houston Dash -- and congratulations to the NWSL, the first U.S. team sports league back in action in this annus horribilis, and they pulled it off beautifully.
With any luck, we’ll see these teams back in action soon. A lot of teams will want revenge, and it would be a lot of fun to watch.
See you then.
And the video shows that ... Groom was NOT offside. My apologies.
It’s sometimes better to be lucky than good, but it’s best to be lucky and good. Houston got through the lottery of penalty kicks to beat Utah, labored past a depleted and exhausted Portland side in the semifinal and took advantage of a patchwork Chicago side to win it here.
But that defense was outstanding, and they took full advantage of the couple of chances they had. If the clinching goal was
questionable
close, the first goal was not.
Congratulations to a fan base that has been through a lot and even dealt with a hurricane this weekend.
And James Clarkson looks like a wizard, leading a team that played with discipline and intelligence that the Red Stars lacked.
Nice finish, though
Groom,
about two yards offside
, takes a through ball and rounds Naeher for the goal.
Naeher is furious. The broadcast acts as if nothing happens. We need a replay.
UPDATE: See photo above. It appears she was actually on. All the more reason to show a replay.
90 min +1 Shea Groom looked to be a mile offside but apparently has scored the second goal.
89 min And Simon’s first action will be to pick up a yellow for kicking the ball away to delay a Houston free kick.
SUBSTITUTION as Chicago throws on Julia Bingham for Bianca St. Georges.
Alyssa Naeher leaves her goal to run up and take the free kick as Chicago just hits and hopes. What a disappointing performance from the Red Stars.
87 min Campbell snares a desperate long ball. Tune in tomorrow, when she releases the ball back into play.
SUBSTITUTION for Houston with Erin Simon on a defensive sub for the excellent Nichelle Prince.
86 min With Houston showing little sign of conceding, let’s give credit to the Dash defense -- Allysha Chapman on the left, Haley Hanson on the right, Megan Oyster and Katie Naughton in the center.
Two have hit the grass in the last couple of minutes -- Chapman in a collision with Julie Ertz, Oyster (recovering from a nasty rib injury) in a collision with Rachel Hill.
83 min A huge run up the left flank by a Houston player I can’t identify here. I need a bigger TV.
Prince, once again, with a dangerous cross that doesn’t connect. Prince is another player who might have made the Best XI had it been named after this game.
82 min YELLOW to Houston’s Haley Hanson for wasting time. This is going to be brutal.
80 min Reminder that there will be no extra time. If Chicago can somehow equalize, we’ll go to kicks from the mark, to use the technical term.
The orange bus has been duly parked in front of Houston’s goal, though the counter still looks dangerous.
79 min SUBSTITUTIONS
Houston: Veronica Latsko for Brianna Visalli
Chicago: Zoe Morse for Katie Johnson
Chicago: Makenzy Doniak for Savannah McCaskill
McCaskill must be exhausted, but that hurts.
If they had waited until after the final to announce the Best XI ...If they had waited until after the final to announce the Best XI ...
75 min HYDRATION BREAK and it is slipping away from Chicago, which concedes another chance.75 min HYDRATION BREAK and it is slipping away from Chicago, which concedes another chance.
Was this their last hope?Was this their last hope?
74 min STAT Chicago hasn’t conceded a goal in 270 minutes. 1-0 in the semifinal, 0-0 in the quarterfinal, 0-1 loss in the last group match on a goal in the 16th minute.74 min STAT Chicago hasn’t conceded a goal in 270 minutes. 1-0 in the semifinal, 0-0 in the quarterfinal, 0-1 loss in the last group match on a goal in the 16th minute.
73 min CHANCE A Chicago turnover, and Prince and Daly play 1-2. Daly is pressured into a wide shot.73 min CHANCE A Chicago turnover, and Prince and Daly play 1-2. Daly is pressured into a wide shot.
Trivia time: As a teenager, Goralski was on the Chicago Red Stars roster when they won the National Cup in 2012, but the Red Stars split their squad that day, and I’m not sure whether Goralski was on the National Cup team or the WPSL Elite team. Good times.Trivia time: As a teenager, Goralski was on the Chicago Red Stars roster when they won the National Cup in 2012, but the Red Stars split their squad that day, and I’m not sure whether Goralski was on the National Cup team or the WPSL Elite team. Good times.
68 min A bit of pinball in the Houston box, but again, Chicago is just lacking something.68 min A bit of pinball in the Houston box, but again, Chicago is just lacking something.
SUBSTITUTION: Zoey Goralski replaces the unfortunate Kayla Sharples, who conceded the penalty but was solid for Chicago thereafter.SUBSTITUTION: Zoey Goralski replaces the unfortunate Kayla Sharples, who conceded the penalty but was solid for Chicago thereafter.
67 min CHANCE And as I say that, Rachel Hill sprints up the middle with the ball, making it rather difficult to be called offside, and she earns a free kick. McCaskill’s 24-yard free kick is dipping, and Campbell has to knock it over for a corner.67 min CHANCE And as I say that, Rachel Hill sprints up the middle with the ball, making it rather difficult to be called offside, and she earns a free kick. McCaskill’s 24-yard free kick is dipping, and Campbell has to knock it over for a corner.
65 min Less than 30 minutes to go, and Chicago just doesn’t seem to have figured it out. Sloppy defense, lack of quality in the final third, six offside calls. The injuries undoubtedly hurt, but you’d expect more intelligence from a lot of veterans coached by Rory Dames.65 min Less than 30 minutes to go, and Chicago just doesn’t seem to have figured it out. Sloppy defense, lack of quality in the final third, six offside calls. The injuries undoubtedly hurt, but you’d expect more intelligence from a lot of veterans coached by Rory Dames.
64 min A bad Chicago back pass gives Prince and opportunity to pounce, but the alert Naeher is out to clean up in a collision.64 min A bad Chicago back pass gives Prince and opportunity to pounce, but the alert Naeher is out to clean up in a collision.
Daly fires the ball in and earns a corner while Naeher winces a bit.Daly fires the ball in and earns a corner while Naeher winces a bit.
63 min We did not see a replay of that offside call. MLS broadcasts dissect every call like the Zapruder film. NWSL broadcasts gloss over such things.63 min We did not see a replay of that offside call. MLS broadcasts dissect every call like the Zapruder film. NWSL broadcasts gloss over such things.
A Houston free kick doesn’t quite find Daly’s head.A Houston free kick doesn’t quite find Daly’s head.
60 min NWSL stats say Houston have completed 74% of their passes, a dramatic improvement from the **52.2%** in the semifinal win over Portland. Chicago is at 71.7%. Does that count offside calls? Hill got caught again. Someone on the bench didn’t like it because that person -- not head coach Rory Dames -- just got a yellow card for dissent.60 min NWSL stats say Houston have completed 74% of their passes, a dramatic improvement from the **52.2%** in the semifinal win over Portland. Chicago is at 71.7%. Does that count offside calls? Hill got caught again. Someone on the bench didn’t like it because that person -- not head coach Rory Dames -- just got a yellow card for dissent.
59 min Colaprico sends a speculative ball down the right for the speedy Watt. No connection there, but the one-way traffic might comfort Chicago fans for the moment.59 min Colaprico sends a speculative ball down the right for the speedy Watt. No connection there, but the one-way traffic might comfort Chicago fans for the moment.
57 min Rinse, repeat -- Rachel Hill is offside. (Not on her shot a minute ago. She’s active, at least.)57 min Rinse, repeat -- Rachel Hill is offside. (Not on her shot a minute ago. She’s active, at least.)
56 min More promising from Chicago. Watt lays the ball off for Hill, who launches a solid but easily saved shot from the top of the box.56 min More promising from Chicago. Watt lays the ball off for Hill, who launches a solid but easily saved shot from the top of the box.
54 min Kealia Watt is finally into the fray, taking a McCaskill pass and dribbling parallel to the goal, but her 10-yard shot is deflected and easily corralled by Campbell.54 min Kealia Watt is finally into the fray, taking a McCaskill pass and dribbling parallel to the goal, but her 10-yard shot is deflected and easily corralled by Campbell.
53 min And it’s Prince again, this time cutting in before launching an impatient and off-target shot.53 min And it’s Prince again, this time cutting in before launching an impatient and off-target shot.
One NWSL term is trending, and it’s “Mewis.”One NWSL term is trending, and it’s “Mewis.”
51 min Nichelle Prince battles to try to win a corner for Houston, but it’s a goal kick for Chicago.51 min Nichelle Prince battles to try to win a corner for Houston, but it’s a goal kick for Chicago.
The Red Stars go the other way, but Rachel Hill is offside. The disciplined Dash defense strikes again.The Red Stars go the other way, but Rachel Hill is offside. The disciplined Dash defense strikes again.
49 min Now it’s Chicago with a couple of corners, which means Julie Ertz gets to show her prowess on the offensive end. Ball finally goes out harmlessly for a goal kick.49 min Now it’s Chicago with a couple of corners, which means Julie Ertz gets to show her prowess on the offensive end. Ball finally goes out harmlessly for a goal kick.
47 min CHANCE as Katie Naughton gets a head on a corner kick and forces Alyssa Naeher to tap it over.47 min CHANCE as Katie Naughton gets a head on a corner kick and forces Alyssa Naeher to tap it over.
Naeher punches out the next corner.Naeher punches out the next corner.
Chicago just not dialed all the way in today.Chicago just not dialed all the way in today.
46 min We’re back with no fanfare, and Houston nearly catches Chicago napping.46 min We’re back with no fanfare, and Houston nearly catches Chicago napping.
Tournament awards announcedTournament awards announced
MVP: Rachel Daly (Houston). I’d have said Lindsey Horan (Portland).MVP: Rachel Daly (Houston). I’d have said Lindsey Horan (Portland).
Goalkeeper: Kailen Sheridan (Sky Blue), though she didn’t make the Best XI below. That one’s hard to pick. Sheridan’s Sky Blue side beat Washington on penalties, but the Spirit did themselves in with a miss and another badly taken shot. Britt Eckerstrom (Portland) made the Best XI on the basis of the best performance of the tournament, shutting out overwhelming favorite North Carolina in the quarterfinals. Not bad for the Thorns’ third-choice keeper.Goalkeeper: Kailen Sheridan (Sky Blue), though she didn’t make the Best XI below. That one’s hard to pick. Sheridan’s Sky Blue side beat Washington on penalties, but the Spirit did themselves in with a miss and another badly taken shot. Britt Eckerstrom (Portland) made the Best XI on the basis of the best performance of the tournament, shutting out overwhelming favorite North Carolina in the quarterfinals. Not bad for the Thorns’ third-choice keeper.
At halftime, commentator Lori Lindsey mentioned a few players who might be impressing U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski in this tournament. The list includes Mewis and defender Alana Cook.At halftime, commentator Lori Lindsey mentioned a few players who might be impressing U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski in this tournament. The list includes Mewis and defender Alana Cook.
Andonovski’s scouting is especially important because the U.S. team is ... not young.Andonovski’s scouting is especially important because the U.S. team is ... not young.
The half ends with Alyssa Naeher breaking up a Houston attack by blasting the ball into the seats.The half ends with Alyssa Naeher breaking up a Houston attack by blasting the ball into the seats.
You could say Houston is lucky to be here after beating a severely depleted Portland team, and Chicago has had some injury woes as well. But the Dash are simply playing smarter than the Red Stars. The defense is usually in the right place aside from an early scramble in which Savannah McCaskill, by far Chicago’s most dangerous attacker, really should’ve scored. At the other end, they’ve been opportunistic, outfoxing Chicago at every turn.You could say Houston is lucky to be here after beating a severely depleted Portland team, and Chicago has had some injury woes as well. But the Dash are simply playing smarter than the Red Stars. The defense is usually in the right place aside from an early scramble in which Savannah McCaskill, by far Chicago’s most dangerous attacker, really should’ve scored. At the other end, they’ve been opportunistic, outfoxing Chicago at every turn.
It’s a coaching masterclass from James Clarkson, shutdown defending by the back line and forceful runs by Kristie Mewis (now out injured) and Nichelle Prince.It’s a coaching masterclass from James Clarkson, shutdown defending by the back line and forceful runs by Kristie Mewis (now out injured) and Nichelle Prince.
Houston is 45 minutes away from a massive win for a long-suffering fan base. The Dash have never even qualified for the playoffs and still haven’t finished higher than fifth in any regular season.Houston is 45 minutes away from a massive win for a long-suffering fan base. The Dash have never even qualified for the playoffs and still haven’t finished higher than fifth in any regular season.
45 min Two minutes of stoppage time here.45 min Two minutes of stoppage time here.
44 min Oh, we’ll need a replay there. Did Prince obstruct Sharples to keep her from that ball off a good Chicago buildup?44 min Oh, we’ll need a replay there. Did Prince obstruct Sharples to keep her from that ball off a good Chicago buildup?
Not that obstruction is ever called, mind you.Not that obstruction is ever called, mind you.
42 min Another curious corner from DiBernardo, easily cleared.42 min Another curious corner from DiBernardo, easily cleared.
41 min DiBernardo immediately seeks redemption with a nice move on the right, and you wonder what would’ve happened if she had chosen to go to ground after a slight trip. Instead, play continues, and we’ll have another corner.41 min DiBernardo immediately seeks redemption with a nice move on the right, and you wonder what would’ve happened if she had chosen to go to ground after a slight trip. Instead, play continues, and we’ll have another corner.
40 min McCaskill chips her free kick into the mixer around the penalty mark, and it’s out for a corner. Vanessa DiBernardo puts that kick directly onto the top of the net.40 min McCaskill chips her free kick into the mixer around the penalty mark, and it’s out for a corner. Vanessa DiBernardo puts that kick directly onto the top of the net.
39 min The ubiquitous McCaskill dribbles into a crowd of Houston players and manages to force a handball from Katie Naughton. Free kick from 25 yards.
38 min Houston corner kick is also dangerous. A second goal here by a defensive-minded team would leave Chicago in dire straits.
37 min Daly takes that free kick and plays to Canadian Allysha Chapman in acres of space down the left. Chapman’s cross is dangerous but cleared.
Chicago is making all sorts of uncharacteristic mistakes here.
35 min Houston is pressing now, perhaps figuring they can spare the energy after that break.
Chicago cornerstone Julie Ertz, one of two Red Stars players married to NFL stars, fouls in midfield. Houston free kick 40 yards out.
Unfortunate stuff here.
Worth noting again in terms of injuries -- Chicago is missing three legit U.S. national team players in Short, Gautrat and Davidson. But Houston being healthier at this point doesn’t take away from the fact that it’s sad to see Mewis, a former U.S. national who has had an up-and-down career, leave this way after a strong tournament.
31 min Houston’s Shea Groom finds a bit of space at the top of the box and fires off target.
And they’ll stop for drinks.
29 min SUBSTITUTION and Kristie Mewis, who drew the penalty, is in tears and pain as she leaves the field. CeCe Kizer enters the game for Houston.
A replay shows Mewis grabbing her hamstring after drawing that penalty more than 20 minutes ago.
28 min Long-range shot from Chicago’s Katie Johnson doesn’t trouble Jane Campbell.Should be close to our hydration break.
A tiny shout for a penalty as Prince goes up against St. Georges, but there was nothing there.
25 min Danielle Colaprico shuffles through the middle for Chicago and sends a nice through ball ... nope, Rachel Hill is offside.
23 min McCaskill again is on the ball, this time on the left after receiving a nice through ball, and she unleashes a shot that deflects safely to Campbell.
Worth noting that in addition to Short, Chicago is missing Tierna Davidson and Morgan Gautrat (formerly Morgan Brian). To an extent, this has been a tournament of attrition.
21 min Some precise passes through the middle of the field for Chicago, but the referee is unimpressed when it ends with a fall just outside the box.
19 min A mention of Casey Short on the CBS broadcast. The solid defender, controversially omitted from the U.S. team for last year’s World Cup, is on the bench for Chicago. Would she have avoided giving up that penalty? Almost certainly.
17 min We welcome those of you who have been watching the Premier League wrap up. You’ve missed 15 great minutes.
We’ve seen high-tempo starts in a lot of games in this Cup, but then they tend to fade until teams find their second wind. We’ll see if things are different in this final. Chicago’s getting into it, pressing Campbell this time to force an uncomfortable clearance.
15 min CHANCE And as I laud Houston, Chicago is very unlikely not to score here as St. Georges crosses from the left. Campbell makes a poor play on the ball and knocks to Chicago attacker McCaskill, whose header somehow hits post rather than net.
14 min Like many coaches in this league, Houston’s James Clarkson is English. Some, like Laura Harvey and Mark Parsons, have been very successful. Some haven’t. But he has things dialed in right now ...
12 min A Houston counterattack runs into a blue wall, and Bianca St. Georges goes the other way.
11 min Chicago puts absolutely no pressure on Houston goalkeeper Jane Campbell, whose penalty kick saves helped the Dash get here. She dawdles with the ball as if killing time in the 89th minute.
10 min Identifying players is difficult here because of a shadow on the far side of the field and some glare on the rest.
Chicago has had possession in the Houston half, not creating much but at least easing the pressure for now.
7 min Houston again on the attack against the bewildered Chicago defense, as another Canadian national -- Nichelle Prince -- gets free on the right and lobs a cross over Naeher but away from any attacker who can get there.
Sharples also picked up a yellow on the penalty call. This could hardly be any worse for Chicago.
Canadian Sophie Schmidt sends Alyssa Naeher the wrong way and finishes with ease.
Disastrous start for the team that, on paper, should win this.
4 min PENALTY! Kristie Mewis rounds the right flank of the Chicago defense, and the inexperienced Kayla Sharples pulls her down.
2 min The Red Stars go on the attack early down the right flank, with young player Savannah McCaskill playing a key role.
Houston unveils a surprising press. Not parking the bus this time?
Kickoff It’s been sloppy at times, and only eight teams could make it, but it’s been beautiful in its own way. Congratulations to everyone for getting this far. Here we go ...
The festivities begin, in a stadium in which fans have not been allowed to enter, with a note of gratitude to the league and teams’ medical staffs and partners. Quite appropriate.
Then, as we’ve seen in all previous games, the vast majority of players take a knee during the national anthem.
This final is on U.S. over-the-air network CBS, as was the opener. That’s a big step forward for a league whose broadcasts have been hard to find.
They’re opening with narration by Alex Morgan, the star U.S. forward whose team, the Orlando Pride, was not allowed to travel to this tournament after some positive or inconclusive COVID-19 tests. Some other notable U.S. players -- Megan Rapinoe, Tobin Heath and Christen Press -- simply decided not to go.
If you’d like to keep track of the Premier League finales while we watch an actual final, we have you covered:
David Byrne once asked, “Well, how did I get here?”
The Dash have scored one goal in their last four games, and that was against a shell of the Portland Thorns roster that overachieved to knock off North Carolina but could do little as Lindsey Horan, the best player of the tournament, joined world-class defender Becky Sauerbrunn on the injured list. Yorkshire-born Rachel Daly, subject of Louise Taylor’s Guardian preview, scored that goal.
Even in their opening game, in which they erupted for three goals but collapsed to give up two late, they started by parking an orange bus in front of the goal.
Round-robin playD 3-3 Utah, starting in that defensive posture, giving up the first goal, erupting for three and then collapsing to give up two W 2-0 OL Reign L 0-1 North Carolina L 0-2 Sky Blue
They knocked out Utah, the host of this event, on penalties after a 0-0 draw. Then Daly’s goal took care of Portland.
Lineup -- note that the Mewis in the lineup is Kristie, not her sister Samantha:
The Red Stars in the round-robin stage: L 1-2 Washington D 0-0 Portland L 0-1 North Carolina W 1-0 UtahThat put them sixth, but only one point out of third. So when they eliminated OL Reign (the Seattle team that is now a sibling of French women’s soccer titan Olympique Lyonnais, hence the initials) on penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw in the quarterfinals, the term “upset” is a stretch. Next up was Sky Blue, which had done the Red Stars the favor of eliminating the dynamic but green Washington Spirit. Chicago quickly took care of business, starting with a wonder goal by Bianca St. Georges.
By the 11th minute, Chicago led 2-0. They made it 3-0 in the second half and weathered a late Sky Blue run to win 3-2.
Their lineup is anchored at the back by U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and defender Julie Ertz, the best player for the U.S. in its World Cup run last year.
Welcome to an unlikely final to an unusual season.
The best news here for the women’s soccer community and the sports world as a whole is that the NWSL has given us all proof of concept. They stuck eight teams in a bubble to play a short season, and we’ve made it to the final. That’s good news for MLS, the NBA, the WNBA, the NHL and anyone else trying to do the same thing.
And we’ll see one team win its first NWSL trophy. For the Houston Dash, it would be a first ever. For the Chicago Red Stars, it would be the second after winning the obscure and erratically contested National Cup in 2012.
Beau will be here shortly. In the meantime here’s Louise Taylor’s lookahead to today’s match.