ATLANTA BEAT 1, CHICAGO RED STARS 1
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill.—The Chicago Red Stars (3-5-5) outshot the Atlanta Beat 18-6, but needed Ella Masar’s 42nd-minute header to rally for a 1-1 tie Wednesday at Toyota Park.
The Beat (1-6-4) opened the scoring in the 30th minute, with Johanna Rasmussen’s first goal of the season, rebounding off of Red Stars goalkeeper Jillian Loyden's clearance. Loyden came well off her line to clear the ball, and when Rasmussen connected, the only player standing in the way was Red Stars midfielder Katie Chapman, who could not get a head on the ball before it sailed by her.
Masar equalized with her third goal in as many games. The play started with Carney’s corner kick, which found Formiga in the middle of the pitch. Formiga passed the ball to Cristiane on the left side, and Cristiane headed the ball from the left corner of the box toward the far right post. Masar made a run to the far side and finished off the attack with a header.
WASHINGTON FREEDOM 0, SKY BLUE FC 0
PISCATAWAY, NJ--Sky Blue FC played to a scoreless draw with the Washington Freedom Wednesday night in the first midweek match this season at Yurcak Field. Both teams created ample chances, but neither was able to convert on an evening when the game time temperature was 92.
Kristin Luckenbill made four saves to rebound from the 4-1 loss to Philadelphia at Yurcak June 19. Playing behind a well-organized defense, Luckenbill seized control of the box early and never relented.
On the attacking side, Sky Blue created their chances as well. The best of the lot came after a half hour, when Heather O’Reilly slipped a pass that put Rosana through on Erin McLeod. The Brazilian’s shot beat the Freedom keeper but rolled wide left. Ten minutes later, the Freedom created their most dangerous chance when Luckenbill saved Mykjaland’s shot and Christie Rampone kicked the rebound away a split second before Abby Wambach pounced on it with an open goal in front of her.
The draw keeps Sky Blue (5-4-3, 18 points) a point clear of the Freedom (4-3-5, 17 points) for third place in the standings.
