Julia Bianchi heads back on defense shortly after delivering a first-half goal for the Chicago Red Stars on March 23 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview. Photo by Jeff Vorva
Red Stars top Seattle, open season with two wins for first time in franchise history
By Jeff Vorva
Correspondent
Last year’s last-place finish notwithstanding, the Chicago Red Stars have had a pretty rich history of success.
The franchise has seven NWSL playoff appearances and has finished runner-up twice (2019, 2021), and prior to 2022 had finished no lower than fourth in the league ‘s regular season standings for six consecutive seasons.
This is a perennial winning team.
But the Stars have already done something this season that they had never done in franchise history — opening with two straight wins to collect six points.
They took down Seattle, 2-1, in front of an announced home-opener crowd of 5,494 at chilly SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview on March 23.
Seattle is no slouch, having finished second in the NWSL postseason tournament last season after a third-place finish during the regular season.
Coupled with a season-opening 2-0 win at expansion Utah on March 16, the Red Stars are riding high.
First-year Chicago coach Lorne Donaldson is happy with the 2-0-0 start, but he cautions “there is a long, long, long, long way to go.”
The way the Red Stars beat Seattle was impressive.
Julia Bianchi scored in the 42nd minute to give the Red Stars a 1-0 lead leading into the locker room at halftime.
Seattle (1-1-0) struck first in the second half, as Ji So Yun scored in the 63rd minute to tie the match, but the Red Stars’ Maxi Rall took care of things in the 67th minute after taking as pass from Taylor Malham
Bianchi, who helped set up that second goal by getting the ball to Malham, liked that the team could bounce back so quickly after allowing the equalizer.
Taylor Malham of the Red Stars tries to move the ball down the field. She had an assist in Chicago’s 2-1 win over Seattle on March 23 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview. Photo by Jeff Vorva
“We were able to score five minutes after giving up the goal, so that shows our energy and resiliency,” Bianchi said. “It’s helping us win the games.”
Four players have scored goals in the two victories, and none of them were named Mallory Swanson.
Swanson is one of the top offensive players in the world and is coming off a 2023 season which she missed almost all of the Red Stars’ season and all of the United States’ run in the World Cup with a torn patellar tendon.
She has logged 80-plus minutes in each of the first two wins and although she hasn’t scored, she is way ahead of the game, according to Donaldson.
“I don’t expect Mal to hit any kind of form until five or six games in,” Donaldson said. “She’s done way, way, way better than I thought. I didn’t think she was going to start the season. I thought we were going to play the first set of games without Mal.
“Her just being on the field is a plus. She’s a leader out there and she’s going to work hard. She’s going to work her butt off for everybody. She puts fear in (opponents).”
Staab signed
Between victories, the Red Stars signed defender and three-time NWSL Iron Woman, Sam Staab, to a three-year contract extension running through the 2026 season.
Red Stars general manager Richard Feuz stated in a news release that Staab’s skills and experience will be a cornerstone in solidifying the team’s backline for seasons to come.
Staab came to the Red Stars from Washington in January in exchange for the third pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft. In her first appearance for Chicago, she played a full 90 minutes, assisting on Ally Schlegel’s goal in the 50th minute. She had more touches than any other Red Star and recorded a team-high three clearances.
The San Diego native spent five years with the Spirit after the club drafted her in 2019 with the fourth overall pick out of Clemson.
Another Naeher milestone
Red Stars goalie Alyssa Naeher racked up her 50th regular-season NWSL win with the Red Stars.
That’s a league record for matches won with one team by a goalkeeper. Naeher also earned the league’s Deloitte Impact Save of the Week honors during the Red Stars’ clean sheet in Week 1.
Coming up
The Red Stars visit Orlando (0-0-2) at 6 p.m., on March 29. Orlando tied Louisville, 2-2, on March 16 and Angel City, 1-1, on March 22.
The next home game is a late one — an 8:30 p.m. start on April 13 against Angel City at SeatGeek Stadium.
Red Stars standout Mallory Swanson gives directions during a 2-1 win over Seattle on March 23 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview. Photo by Jeff Vorva
Local News
Ailing eagle on the mend
Spread the loveSeveral blocks northwest of Garfield Ridge—just west of 47th and Harlem–motorists late last month noticed an eagle flying low and acting erratically. The Villa Park-based Chicago Bird Collision Monitors was contacted, and its volunteers found and captured the majestic bird. It was transported to a facility owned and operated by Glen Ellyn-based Willowbrook…
Can’t we just fast-forward to spring?
Spread the loveBy Joan Hadac Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge (708) 496-0265 • joan.hadac@gmail.com Hi everyone. Is it spring yet? Is the pandemic over yet? Not that I’m impatient or anything. I want to move forward past all the negative COVID-19 has brought to my life and everyone else’s life. I want to see…
Scavenger Sale different this year, Pappas says
Spread the loveFrom staff reports Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas’ 2022 Scavenger Sale will look different, as the Treasurer’s Office takes steps to help small developers, homeowners and investors rebuild neighborhoods and create generational wealth. Under Illinois law, the Treasurer’s Office is required to conduct a Scavenger Sale every two years, offering at auction the…
Give poor countries a break, Chuy says
Spread the loveFrom staff reports U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (D-4th) is one of 18 Members of Congress who recently sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, urging her to use the voice and vote of the United States at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to abolish the IMF’s surcharge policy, which requires countries…
Stop sale of dangerous drugs online, Rush says
Spread the loveFrom staff reports Legislation designed to ensure that social media platforms and websites are held accountable for failing to prevent the sale of dangerous, illegal drugs on their platforms has been introduced by U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush (D-1st). The Domain Reform for Unlawful Drug Sellers (DRUGS) Act also was introduced by U.S. David…
America divided, enemies united
Spread the loveBy Ray Hanania America has been weakened by the continuing and political selfish polarization between those who support former President Donald Trump and those who support President Joe Biden. The viciousness of the fighting is weakening America’s image internationally, and nations like Russia and China are being empowered to challenge our leadership of…
Fairness will energize electric vehicle charging drive
Spread the loveBy Josh Sharp To promote electric vehicle adoption and help establish a nationwide network of EV charging stations, five governors in the Midwest region (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota) agreed to join what they term the Regional Electric Vehicle Midwest Coalition. Based on the group’s initiative, the goal of this coalition is to foster increased…
Crime will be big issue this year
Spread the loveBy Rich Miller Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch marked his first anniversary as his chamber’s top leader with a series of news media interviews last week. One of the questions I asked was what his legislative district’s constituents were talking to him about the most. “The number one issue in my district, and…
$1 million Lucky Day Lotto jackpot won in Bridgeview
Spread the loveFrom staff reports If you bought a Lucky Day Lotto ticket in Bridgeview for Thursday night’s drawing, you may want to check it right away – that’s because you might be a newly-minted millionaire! Circle K gas station, located at 7050 S. Harlem Ave. in Bridgeview, sold a $1 million winning Lucky Day…
Poisoned bald eagle found in Lyons woods
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Bald eagles are becoming increasingly more common in the Chicagoland area, and avid bird enthusiasts said this is no surprise. “I have been watching the same pair of bald eagles and their offspring for 12 years now,” Sue Delfiacco said. To Delfiacco, the pair of birds are like family. Every…
Neighbors
Thousands of youths at risk of losing access to after-school programs
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Advocates for community-based after-school programs say as many as 40,000 youths statewide could lose access to tutoring services, recreation and other extracurricular activities this summer unless Illinois lawmakers approve an infusion of funds to keep them going. “The time is now for legislators to act to…
Lawsuit alleges sexual abuse was rampant in state-run juvenile detention centers
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com Rampant sexual abuse occurred unchecked for decades at Illinois’ juvenile detention centers, a new lawsuit filed on behalf of 95 former detainees alleges, citing hundreds of incidents over more than two decades. The plaintiffs were boys between 12 and 17 years old when the alleged abuse occurred and…
House GOP advances 2 human trafficking victim protection bills as others remain in limbo
By COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com After Illinois received another failing grade from a national advocacy group, state House Republicans have introduced legislation aimed at further protecting victims and prosecuting perpetrators of human trafficking. Shared Hope International, an advocacy organization that works to prevent sex trafficking, said in its 2023 Illinois report card that…
Remembering Lee Milner
NEWS TEAM Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com On Wednesday, April 17, the Springfield, Illinois Capitol and journalism communities lost a devoted friend and advocate when Lee Milner passed away. As Dean Olsen wrote in his piece in the Illinois Times earlier this month, “Readers of Illinois Times often have seen Milner’s work as a freelance photojournalist. But…
Former state trooper who caused fatal crash halts effort to get driving privileges restored
By BETH HUNDSDORFER Capitol News Illinois bhundsdorfer@capitolnewsillinois.com The former Illinois State Trooper who pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter of two sisters in 2007 has abandoned his efforts to have a hearing into the restoration of his driving privileges – for now. Matt Mitchell, 45, requested at least two delays in the hearing after he failed…
Flooding is Illinois’ Most Threatening Natural Disaster. Are We Prepared?
by Meredith Newman, Illinois Answers Project April 16, 2024 This story was originally published by the Illinois Answers Project. The electricity in Mary Buchanan’s home in West Garfield Park was not working – again. The outage lasted four days, starting just after a crew dug up her front lawn to install a check valve in…
Lawmakers pitch sweeping changes to energy industry and Chicagoland transit system
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com A group of lawmakers and influential environmental advocates are calling for broad changes to the state’s energy industry and a massive increase in state oversight of Chicagoland’s transit system – which faces a projected $730 million budget shortfall. Advocates for the policy platform, which is broken up into…
Democrats flex muscle to kick off final month of session as revenues remain on track
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – With about three weeks to go before the Illinois General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn its spring legislative session, supermajority Democrats showed their strength this week as fiscal forecasters noted state revenues remain on track. April is typically a make-or-break month for state coffers, as income…
Former state trooper who caused fatal crash halts effort to get driving privileges restored
By BETH HUNDSDORFER Capitol News Illinois bhundsdorfer@capitolnewsillinois.com The former Illinois State Trooper who pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter of two sisters in 2007 has abandoned his efforts to have a hearing into the restoration of his driving privileges – for now. Matt Mitchell, 45, requested at least two delays in the hearing after he failed…
Capitol Briefs: Senate advances elections bill, measure targeting ‘predatory’ lending
By PETER HANCOCK & HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – A bill that would put more controls on certain kinds of high-cost loans to small businesses cleared the Illinois Senate Thursday. Senate Bill 2234, known as the Small Business Financial Transparency Act, targets a relatively new kind of nontraditional lender in the credit…