Chicago Red Stars lose Fall Series opener to Washington Spirit 2-1

Sarah Luebbert scored her first career NWSL goal, but the Chicago Red Stars dropped their NWSL Fall Series opener to the Washington Spirit on a late heartbreaker, 2-1 at Segra Field in Leesburg, VA.

Savannah McCaskill was sent off just before the break after earning her second yellow of the half. With the Red Stars playing a woman down in the second half, the Spirit were able to equalize off a Bayley Feist goal in the 71st minute.

Alyssa Naeher made some big saves late to keep the Red Stars in the game, but Washington netted the winner in stoppage time, after Jessie Scarpa beat her defender and finished a cross.

The Red Stars return to SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview for the first time this season when they host Sky Blue next Sunday, Sept. 26 at noon. The match will air on CBS All Access.

LINEUPS

CHI: GK Naeher, D Morse, D Goralski, D Davison, D St. Georges, M Gautrat (Chavarin 85’), M Colaprico, M DiBernardo, F McCaskill, F Watt (Biegalski 90+5’), F Luebbert (Rhodes 85’),

WAS: GK Bledsoe, D Jacobs (Hellstrom 66’), D Bailey, D Staab, D Nielsen, M Dougherty Howard, M Boissiere (McCool 45’), M Feist, F McClure (Hendrix 80’), F Sanchez (Scarpa 87’), F Yokoyama (Thomas 80’)