The roomies connected.
Then they disconnected.
The Chicago Stars’ lone goal in a 1-1 tie with Portland Sept. 14 came when Ally Schlegel found Bea Franklin in the 45th minute and Franklin found the net.
“It’s that roommate connection,” Franklin said. “We share an apartment, and I have to work around her in the kitchen.”
As smooth as the roommates were for the goal, things didn’t go as well for the celebration.
“Ally interrupted it,” Franklin said. “One of my favorite — and it’s the only celebration I had in college — celebrations is a belly rub that my then-roommate (at Arkansas) and I did when I got a goal against Alabama. I tried to do it (against Portland), but then she smooshed me. Nothing much there.”
The Stars (2-9-9) extended their unbeaten streak in the NWSL to seven thanks to Franklin’s second goal in two games at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview in front of an announced crowd of 3,751. Six of those seven games resulted in ties.
“Our sights are still on the playoff and one point a game isn’t going to do it,” Franklin said. “We want wins and not ties.”
The top eight teams make it to the playoffs and Louisville is in eighth with 27 points. The Stars are in 13th place with 15 points and only have six games to go. The most they can get is 18 points and have five teams to leap over to get there.
Whether or not that long shot happens, Franklin and the offense is gaining confidence toward the end of the season.
“Don’t let me get hot — watch out,” she joked. “Our team is moving the ball better and creating opportunities. If I can get in the box and more people on our team get in the box, anything can happen.”
The Stars visit Houston at 7 p.m. Sept. 19.
Fire stays in ninth
The Fire (12-11-6) maintained their ninth-place standing in the MLS’ Eastern Conference despite a 3-1 loss to New York City FC on Sept. 13 in front of a Soldier Field crowd of 20,636.
The Fire is four points behind eighth-place Inter Miami, which has played four less games than the Fire. The Fire have five games left on the schedule. The top seven teams make it to playoffs while the eighth- and ninth-place teams face off in a wild-card game to get in.
Peter Zinckernagel got the Fire off on the right foot against New York with a goal in the 13th minute. It was his 13th goal of the year.
But the Fire were unlucky the rest of the way as they were held scoreless and surrendered three goals.
The Fire visits Minnesota (15-9-6) at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20.
Fire II clinch playoffs
The Fire II qualified for the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs after beating Cincinnati 2-1 Sept. 10 at SeatGeek Stadium.
The Fire trailed 1-0 until late. David Poreba scored on a penalty kick in the 87th minute and Jhoiner Montiel scored the winner in stoppage time. Poreba entered the match in the 75th minute as he made his 2025 debut after mending from an ACL tear.
The Fire (12-5-5) visit Philadelphia at 2 p.m. on Sept. 21.