Pro Soccer Report | Millonarios one-up Crystal Palace in festive game at SeatGeek

By Jeff Vorva
Staff Writer

There was definitely a different soccer vibe at SeatGeek Stadium on July 26.

The Bridgeview facility hosts the Chicago Red Stars and occasionally the Chicago Fire. The crowds for those games are relatively tame compared to international soccer.

But during the Chicago Nations Cup Series battle between English Premier team Crystal Palace FC and Categoria Primera’s Millonarios FC from Colombia, the Geek was rocking.

Crystal Palace fans in the north stands were waving bright red and bright blue flags while, to their left, the Colombian contingent unfurled huge banners and let off some blue smoke and fireworks before the match even started. And they jumped, danced and sang the whole game.

Crystal Palace fans wave red and blue flags at SeatGeek Stadium during a July 26 match against and Categoria Primera’s Millonarios FC. Photo by Jeff Vorva

The Millonarios won, 2-1, to win the Cup.

After a scoreless first half, Crystal Palace scored in the 64^th minute on a Jake O’Brien goal. The Millonarios’ Leonardo Castro scored in the 74^th minute, and gave their friends in the north zone something to cheer even louder about when he hit a penalty kick from 12 yards out in the 90^th minute to help give his team the victory.

Crystal Palace coach Roy Hodgson was unfiltered about his thoughts on the penalty that led to the winning penalty shot.

“Losing on a penalty like that was a bitter blow,” he said. “We didn’t deserve to lose. We deserved a much fairer result. I need to get my head around the fact that we lost on a non-existent penalty, and I’ll be OK.

“I was expecting the game to end 1-1 and should have ended 1-1, but the referee had other ideas.”

Despite the loss in this friendly matchup that served as a preseason tuneup for Crystal Palace, Hodgson enjoyed the atmosphere at SeatGeek Stadium.

There was no attendance announced and, aside from a packed north end, the stands were relatively empty. But those who were sitting up north made plenty of racket.

“The environment was the best part,” Hodgson said, and added he would welcome an opportunity to come back to the Chicago area in the future.

Millonarios FC’s Edgar Guerra, left, tries to move through the Crystal Palace defense July 26 in Bridgeview. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Red Stars in scoreless draw
The Chicago Red Stars continue to struggle at putting the ball in the net.

Chicago engaged in a 0-0 draw with Kansas City on July 29 in a Challenge Cup battle at SeatGeek Stadium.

The defense was razor sharp to help goalie Emily Boyd notch her third shutout of the season in the absence of Alyssa Naeher, who is playing for the United States in the World Cup.

The offense was active, owning a 14-11 shot advantage, but it was not enough for the Red Stars, who are 0-4-1 in the Cup. KC is 3-1-1 in Cup play.

In the past five games, the Stars have mustered only three goals. The last time they had multiple goals in a match was June 18 in a 3-2 loss to Portland in a NWSL game.

The Red Stars host Houston in the Challenge Cup at 7 p.m. Aug. 5 in Bridgeview. They take a break after that and return to NWSL action with a 6 p.m. Aug. 20 road game at Orlando.

Red Stars sign goalkeeper
The Red Stars signed goalie Kelsey Dossey on July 28.

Starting goalie Naeher is playing in the World Cup and Mackenzie Wood was injured at training during the week, leaving Emily Boyd as the lone goalie on the roster until Dossey’s arrival.

Dossey, a Plainfield, Indiana, native, played college soccer at Missouri and had 203 saves, 11 career shutouts and 24 victories for the Tigers. She was called up shortly by the Red Stars in 2022 when Boyd suffered an injury, but did not play.

Fire II ties New England
Noeh Hernandez scored in the 62nd minute to give the Chicago Fire II a 1-1 tie with New England and earned an extra point with a 5-3 penalty kick advantage on July 30 at SeatGeek Stadium in a Major League Soccer NEXT Pro game.

The Fire (6-7-7) hosts Atlanta (6-9-5) at 6 p.m. Aug. 4 at SeatGeek Stadium.