Mallory Pugh is among the NWSL leaders in goals and assists. Photo by Jeff Vorva
Pro Soccer Report: Road to final playoff spot tough for Red Stars
By Jeff Vorva
Staff Writer
With five games left in the season, the Chicago Red Stars are hanging on to the NWSL’s sixth and final playoff spot.
The Red Stars (7-5-5, 26 points) can make a lot of headway if they get hot, but that is not going to be an easy task.
They visit OL Reign at 9 p.m. Friday, host Kansas City Wednesday at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, host Houston Sept. 17, visit Portland Sept. 25 and host Angel City Oct. 2 in the season finale.
The first four teams on that schedule are ahead of the Red Stars in the standings. The fifth, Angel City, is one point behind them and hoping to leapfrog them to get into the postseason.
“I mean, it smacks you in the face, so you can’t look the other way,” Red Stars coach Chris Petrucelli said of the standings and remaining schedule. “I think we all know where we stand.
“We made it a point from the beginning to continue to look in front of us and not look behind us. We’re not out of this thing. We could win the whole thing, we’re that close. So, I think we’re choosing to look forward instead of looking behind us.”
Red Stars player Danielle Colaprico is also looking ahead.
“I think at this point we control our own destiny,” she said. “If we want to be at the top of the table, we put our heads down, go to work and win some games. It’s not a bad position to be in. We’re in a great spot and we can go on and win this thing.”
Pugh heating up again
Mallory Pugh scored for the first time since June 18, as she had two goals and added two assists in a 4-0 victory at Louisville on Aug 27.
Pugh is tied for fourth in the league with eight goals. San Diego’s Alex Morgan is on top with 13 goals, followed by North Carolina’s Diana Ordonez and Portland’s Sophia Smith with 11 each.
Pugh is tied with two other players for the league lead in assists with five.
Fire hangs on for hope
The Chicago Fire will make its second appearance this season at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview when they host Miami at 7 p.m. Saturday.
The Fire lost to New York City, 2-0, at SeatGeek Stadium on Aug. 21.
The Fire played the New York game in Bridgeview because of the poor condition of the field at Soldier Field. They have two more MLS games and a friendly at SeatGeek this year.
After a 0-0 draw with Columbus on Sept. 3, the Fire found itself with an 8-13-8 mark and 32 points with five matches left to go. The Fire were outshot 25-6 in that game, including 9-1 in shots on goal.
The Fire need a big run to make it to the playoffs.
“We need to get points, especially at home, coming up,” Fire coach Erza Hendrickson said. “We have to get the full three points and then go on the road and pick up three points at [Cincinnati], Montreal – one of the teams.”
Crew 2 clinches with win over Fire II
Columbus clinched the MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference title with a 3-1 home victory over the Chicago Fire II in Sept. 3.
After spotting Columbus a 3-0 lead, the Fire scored in the 80th minute on an Omari Glasgow score, assisted by Erik Kocs Washburn.
The Fire II (6-11-5) visits Cincinnati on Sunday.
Where they stand
The NWSL standings heading into this week:
Team W L T PTs
San Diego 9 5 4 31
Houston 8 5 5 29
KC 8 4 5 29
Portland 7 3 7 28
OL Reign 7 4 6 27
Chicago 7 5 5 26
Los Angeles 7 5 4 25
Orlando 5 6 6 21
N. Carolina 5 7 4 19
Louisville 2 7 8 14
Washington 1 6 10 13
NJ/NY 4 13 0 12
Local News
Sorry, we couldn't find any posts. Please try a different search.
Neighbors
Donate teddy bears to our local police
Spread the love. Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 . Have you ever seen the 1955 movie The Night of the Hunter? The children in this movie show such bravery and acceptance in what life has thrown at them. They have to deal with unimaginable events and sadness. …
Boy Scouts collecting tattered flags for disposal
Spread the love. By Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 517-7796 . Goodbye April, hello May. Our American Flag, the symbol of our country, should always be treated with respect. But after bearing Chicago’s brutal winters and hot blazing summers along with being in the…
Oak Lawn trustee says village needs state grocery tax
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle An Oak Lawn trustee said that Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposal to eliminate the state’s grocery tax will be costly for the village. Trustee William “Bud” Stalker (5th), accompanied by Mayor Terry Vorderer, recently returned from a fact-finding trip to Springfield where they learned more about the governor’s proposal to eliminate…
Palos Heights recognizes volunteers
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam Palos Heights handed out awards last week recognizing the services provided by volunteers through the years. The proclamations, which were read aloud during the city council meeting April 16, were a testament to the city’s volunteers and were handed out as part of Volunteer Recognition Week. Volunteers were cited for…
Boys Volleyball | Richards weathering struggles after run of success
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent After a tough weekend at the Smack Attack tournament, Richards got back into the win column with a two-set victory over Eisenhower in a South Suburban Red match. The Bulldogs made quick work of the Cardinals, winning 25-16, 25-15 on April 23 in Oak Lawn to snap a five-match…
SD218 puts on annual Arts Extravaganza
Spread the loveBy Kelly White The arts have become a major portion of the curriculum Community High School District 218. Showcasing those many talents, the Friends of CHSD 218’s Education Foundation proudly hosted its 15th annual Arts Extravaganza on April 5 at Eisenhower High School in Blue Island. “The Arts Extravaganza is a great event…
Gaming licenses to be tougher to get in Orland Park
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva It’s going to take longer to receive gaming licenses in Orland Park. The village board passed an ordinance April 15 that would allow table service businesses open at least 36 consecutive months to apply rather than the previous 18 months, and extended the probationary period to 18 months instead of…
Palos Park passes $16 million budget
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva The Palos Park Village Council approved the 2024-25 budget, which totals a little more than $16.3 million at the April 22 village council meeting. According to village documents, it represented an increase of a shade over $603,000 from last year. The village is expecting $13.4 million in revenue and $1.86…
Fire damages Al Bahaar Restaurant in Orland Park
Spread the loveFrom staff reports Orland Fire Protection District firefighters responded to a fire Monday evening at the Al Bahaar Restaurant, 39 Orland Square Dr. At first, restaurant owners suspected the fire alarm was triggered by a malfunction, but as firefighters inspected the restaurant to reset the fire alarm, they detected a burning smell. “What…