The Wait Is Over

Conference Final Saturday

The Chicago Red Stars' locker room was a bit somber as the players changed into their uniforms before heading into the tunnel for today's Western Conference final against the Los Angeles Olympias. Alyssa talked to Kristie and Steph, then the three of them stood before the team.

Alyssa: Ladies, we got past that BIG hurdle last week and finally won a playoff game. Today, we play for a chance to go home and win the league title on our own field. Look around this room. This might be the last road trip we take as a team, as some of us may be on the move in the off-season. Leave EVERYTHING on the field today. Play for one another, play for the badge, and play for our city.

Kristie: You have been so great to me after being brought in during preseason. I can't explain how much being able to play alongside my wife has meant to me. I want nothing more than to win today and get another shot at an NWSL title, one that slipped through our fingers in Washington last year. My former captain with the Spirit and your former captain in Chicago are over in the other locker room stirring their teammates up to take us down and make their own trip to the Windy City. Let's make them eat their words.

Steph: I've been with this team for seven years now. This is the best squad I've been with. We DESERVE to be here, and we have proven that we're able to stand up to the Olympias, the Breakers, and the Pride. There is no reason why we can't win today and then next week to bring Chicago its first women's soccer championship. Like Alyssa said, this might be the last hurrah for this rendition of the Red Stars. Let's make it one to remember.

The team gathered around the three of them and raised a small ruckus before exiting the locker room and walking to the tunnel. The reserves walked out to the field while the starters took their places in line: Naeher, Gilliland, Naughton, Roccaro, Short, Stratigakis, McCaffrey, DiBernardo, Huerta, Mewis, Colaprico. Christen Press led her Olympias XI into the tunnel and exchanged hugs with Alyssa while Shelina did the same with Kristie and Sarah Stratigakis. Once referee Christina Unkel and her crew joined the two teams, they led them out to the center circle.

Jordan Angeli: Live from Olympias Park in Los Angeles, this is the NWSL Western Conference final on Lifetime. Good afternoon, I'm Jordan Angeli. Today, one of these teams will advance to their first-ever NWSL Final. The Olympias came up just short last year at this stage against the Vancouver Legacy, while the Chicago Red Stars are making their first appearance in a conference final. Aly Wagner, how do you see today's match playing out?

Aly Wagner: We know the Olympias have the offense to beat any team in the league, but can they restrain the Red Stars' prolific attack should they get rolling? If they can, LA will win. If not, then it could be a long day for Goalkeeper of the Year finalist Katelyn Rowland in net. For Chicago, it comes down to the pairings of Kristie Mewis and Steph McCaffrey and Vanessa DiBernardo and Sofia Huerta. If they're clicking, they can eat up an Olympias defense that has been lukewarm at best all season, even with the addition of Shelina Zadorsky in July.

Jordan Angeli: Down to the field to check in with the third member of our team, Julie Foudy.

Julie Foudy: Both teams appear to be at full strength today, although there is a slight concern with Zadorsky's calf strain from the US/Canada friendly on September 27th. Sam Johnson will need to take on a bigger role in back if she is hobbled by the injury. Back up to you.

The Red Stars opened the match by pressing the center backs of LA, hoping to take advantage of Shelina's being at less-than-100%. The over commitment by Chicago cost them, as Ashley Hatch turned Casey Short inside-out before finding Press open between Katie Naughton and Cari Roccaro. The front-runner for NWSL MVP struck Hatch's cross with pace, putting it past Alyssa Naeher to give the Olympias the early lead on seven minutes. The Red Stars steadily moved the ball up the field, using the foot skills of the four midfielders to pass their way around their opposite numbers from LA. Stratigakis found Huerta streaking between Johnson and Zadorsky and hit her in stride. Rowland came out to challenge for the ball but was beaten to it by the Chicago striker, who leveled the score at the 19 minute mark. Shelina went to the ground following the goal, holding her injured right calf. After some preliminary testing, the trainer signaled that she would need to be subbed out. Shelina was helped to the sideline by the trainer and Lynn Williams. LA head coach Jenny Bindon told Natalie Larkin to warm up and then sent her in for Shelina in the 25th minute. The insertion provided some stability for LA in back, but the Red Stars breached them again after 36 minutes when Danielle Colaprico was able to cheat up into the penalty area due the deep back line of the Olympias and sent a Stratigakis cross past Rowland to give Chicago a lead they would take into the locker room.