July 30th @ Soldier Field
Records:
Chicago Red Stars 5-2-5 (3rd)
San Diego Wave FC 6-3-4 (2nd)
Last Match:
Chicago Red Stars Angel City FC Lost vs. Houston Dash 1-4
San Diego Wave FC Tied vs. Racing Louisville FC 0-0
Top of the Table Battle
San Diego Wave FC travels to Chicago this weekend to take on the Chicago Red Stars, the team just below them in the standings.
Opportunity Knocks
San Diego entered the weekend still atop the table, despite missing five players due to international duty. Last night, however, they were knocked from the top spot when the Portland Thorns defeated Racing Louisville FC by a score of 2-1. Wave can retake first place from the Thorns, its regional rival, with a win over the Red Stars tonight.
Meanwhile, Chicago has an opportunity to surpass San Diego for second place with a home win. A tie will get the Red Stars one point closer to second place, though I’m sure both teams are treating this game as a battle for first.
If any game this weekend has the potential to shake up the top three, this is it.
International Returns
No, this isn’t a section about shipping policies. I am, of course, talking about the return of US internationals Alex Morgan, Taylor Kornieck, and Naomi Girma, plus Swedish international Sofia Jakobsson and Canadian international Kailen Sheridan. Four out of the five players have been away at the Concacaf W tournament in Mexico this month, while the fifth, Sweden’s Sofia Jakobsson has been at the UEFA Women’s EURO tournament (availability questionable for tonight’s game). Coincidentally, both teams went 1-1-1 during the international break, so their standings were unaffected.
Wave goals came from other sources, including Kristen McNabb, Makenzy Doniak, and Belle Briede, but the team will certainly be happy to have league-leading scorer Alex Morgan back on the field for the club. Returning for Chicago are other US national teamers in forward Mallory Pugh and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, plus Canadian international Bianca St.-Georges. Notable is the fact that Chicago managed to get goals from six different scorers during the international break, so perhaps their attack is naturally more balanced than San Diego’s. Surely all national teamers will be welcome additions back to their respective clubs, and will give this game some added vigor, given the standings at stake.
Midseason Momentum
It’s the midpoint of the season, and this is the time when teams are reigniting their drive. Results from this point on can push a team into (or out of) the playoffs, so it’s imperative to get points. Both teams are currently in playoff contention, which is likely not a surprise to Chicago fans considering they played in last year’s final and in 2019 (although they’ve yet to capture the crown). Wave fans may or may not be surprised to see their team on track for the playoffs, but barring a significant downward slide, they are going to be playoff debutants in their inaugural season. Chicago must have the championship in their sights again (and hoping the third time’s the charm). San Diego must be seriously thinking they, too, could win a championship (and in their first season, no less), so they’ll want to keep their winning ways going.