SeatGeek Stadium | Bridgeview, Illinois – Sunday, June 12 at 6:00 PM ET
Players to watch:
Chicago’s defensive standing is as impressive if not more so than its attacking standing, with the side having kept seven clean sheets in its last 12 home matches in all NWSL competitions while allowing just seven total goals in those games. This year alone, two of its four contests at home have seen the Red Stars keep a clean sheet, including both of their most recent matches against OL Reign (1-0 W) and Washington (0-0 D). Up front, forward Mallory Pugh has been on a tear this season and has four goals to her name, though she might make the argument that that number could be even higher due to her 14 shots on target.
On Saturday, Orlando forward Sydney Leroux joined Rose Lavelle and Ashley Sanchez as the only players this season to take at least seven shots in a single game without scoring a goal. The only other player in Pride history to take at least seven shots in a game without scoring is Chioma Ubogagu in April 2017. Prior to its most recent match, the Pride had scored at least two goals in four games played, with Leroux on the scoresheet once but midfielder Mikayla Cluff leading the way with two goals in that stretch.
Match facts: The Chicago Red Stars have kept all momentum heading into Sunday evening’s clash with the Pride and are unbeaten in five games dating back to the middle of May. Now, Chicago welcomes an Orlando side that is coming off a 5-0 thrashing against Houston, but prior to that, had taken at least one point in four of their five previous matches (2W 2D 1L).
Chicago has only lost one of its last 12 home matches in all NWSL competitions (W8 D3) following a scoreless draw with Washington on Wednesday, including starting the regular season unbeaten in four straight games (W2 D2). For Orlando, that 5-0 loss to Houston was the second time this season the Pride have conceded at least four goals in a match (4-2 loss to Chicago) making them the first NWSL team to have two such games within their first seven matches of a season.
Chicago won in Orlando earlier this season (see above) and have won three regular season games in a row against the Pride going back to last October. The only other team against which the Red Stars have an active streak of three consecutive wins is the Kansas City Current.
