Hot Time In Old Town - NWSL Coverage: Chicago Red Stars vs. Portland ThornsTRADITION - HONOR - PASSIONhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50655/htiot-fav.png2018-06-16T22:30:01-05:00http://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/rss/stream/172326392018-06-16T22:30:01-05:002018-06-16T22:30:01-05:00Pulling Focus: Chicago Red Stars 1, Portland Thorns 1, NWSL Game Recap
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<figcaption>Photo courtesy of the Chicago Red Stars</figcaption>
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<p>Eleven players on a field, asking for your attention</p> <blockquote>
<p id="bXrVZe"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/NWSL/teams/chicago-red-stars"><strong>Chicago Red Stars</strong></a><strong> 1</strong> Nagasato 43’</p>
<p id="mDM7pb"><strong>Portland Thorns 1</strong> Horan 48’</p>
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<p id="UJDr7f">This recap isn’t going to be about the trade. </p>
<p id="1NHCMm">Yes, there is going to be a trade, and it’s going to be big. Yes, it involves Sofia Huerta, Taylor Comeau, and Sam Johnson, and yes, it involves Chicago, Houston, and Utah, and no we don’t know anything more than that, and no...none of those players played for Chicago tonight. </p>
<p id="bLMs4i">For better or worse, that ship has likely sailed (<em>salud</em>), and in the harsh light of change it is now our job to take refuge in what we already have, which tonight was a pretty solid 90 minutes of work against the Portland Thorns. </p>
<p id="GqOZ4H">I’ve expressed my frustration with taking Portland on as an opponent before, and maybe it was the big trade (that I’m not going to talk about) or maybe it was just the heat in the air, but Chicago went direct tonight and for the most part it worked. The Red Stars pulled the Thorns off their game early, held on for a point late, and got a sense of the cavalry that’s coming in the upcoming weeks.</p>
<p id="l86WxL">In light of some of the (not going to be commented upon) absences, particularly in the back-line, Julie Ertz dropped back into her classic role as a center-back, and played a solid full 90 minutes there for the Red Stars that they desperately needed. Alyssa Naeher was also increasingly vocal in her keeper role, keeping the defense intact, and when she was in motion Ertz was an authoritative presence holding the line together.</p>
<p id="sktVxz">Up front, Yuki Nagasato and <span>Sam Kerr</span> continued their two-player offensive tandem, perhaps more intentionally now more than ever. Whenever Nagasato got the ball, she was looking to play Kerr onto Portland’s goal, and Kerr always had her head up to see those crosses coming in. </p>
<p id="HcBCRY">In one of those sequences, Nagasato played Kerr onto the ball in the 43rd minute, where she was promptly taken down in the box by Thorns defender Kelli Hubly. The penalty was called, Yuki took it, and though Portland keeper Britt Eckerstrom got her hand on the first attempt, the Japanese forward was there to hit in the rebound to put Chicago up 1-0 at the end of the first half.</p>
<p id="kI35qr">To their credit Portland, true to form, stayed incredibly dangerous at the beginning of the second half. They quickly found an equalizer off of perennial set-piece star <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/NWSL/players/293434/lindsey-horan">Lindsey Horan</a>, who continued her deadly run against Chicago in the 48th minute. (She was marked by somebody else this time. See what a good job I’m doing not talking about it!).</p>
<p id="fWt3a3">Neither team seemed all that content with the tie that followed, but the Red Stars also got some late-game time from both Casey Short and Vanessa Dibernardo, both of whom the team has desperately missed in the first half of the 2018 NWSL season. Short is a true defender, and Dibernardo can unlock opposing defenses and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/NWSL/players/255542/morgan-brian">Morgan Brian</a> was in the crowd and I’m not! going! to! talk! about! it! but it feels like Chicago might be okay no matter what happens.</p>
<p id="o1jz54">The Red Stars will take on their trade-mates (of some undetermined kind!) the Utah Royals on June 23rd, and try to take the positive energy from the draw and turn it into a win. At some point, that’s all that can be done.</p>
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https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2018/6/16/17471604/chicago-red-stars-1-portland-thorns-1-nwsl-2018-match-recap-nagasato-goal-penalty-reboundClaire Watkins2018-06-16T21:15:02-05:002018-06-16T21:15:02-05:00Chicago Red Stars 1, Portland Thorns 1: Woman Of The Match
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<figcaption><a href="https://twitter.com/NWSL/status/1008168091224825856" target="_blank">Photo via NWSL</a></figcaption>
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<p>A disappointing result despite an admirable performance</p> <p id="T0bAh6">So, not the result anyone wanted. But given everything going on around the team, a draw probably isn’t so bad.</p>
<p id="oEbZe6">We’re giving our WOTM nod to Yuki Nagasato. She did well to scramble after the saved PK to grab the goal anyway and, combined with her consistent goalscoring threat all night, made her the clear choice.</p>
<p id="WNayoJ"><em>Now let us know how you saw it. Vote for your choice for WOTM in the poll below. The poll will be open for two days, after which we’ll publicize the results. (Note: if you’re viewing this post from AMP or Apple News, you won’t see the poll below. Feel free to tell us your pick in the comments.)</em></p>
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https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2018/6/16/17471270/best-worst-performances-vote-wotm-chicago-red-stars-1-portland-thorns-1-nwsl-2018-week-12Bridget Gordon2018-06-16T14:00:02-05:002018-06-16T14:00:02-05:00Chicago Red Stars vs Portland Thorns: Gameday Primer, How To Watch, & Open Thread
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<figcaption>Robin Alam/isiphotos.com</figcaption>
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<p>Lineups, streaming info, and live NWSL coverage as the Red Stars face off against Portland</p> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="3z7d7X">
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<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/NWSL/teams/chicago-red-stars"><strong>Chicago Red Stars</strong></a><strong> vs Portland Thorns</strong>
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<p id="T76dpW">Saturday, June 16th, 2018</p>
<p id="0dtpv4">NWSL Week 12 | Toyota Park, Bridgeview IL</p>
<p id="zuIAQG">Kickoff: 7:00pm CT</p>
<p id="QohqgT">Referee: Danielle Chesky</p>
<p id="i8FVTF">Assistant Referees: Ian McKay, Gjovalin Bori</p>
<p id="C9rB0k">4th Official: Rebecca Pagan</p>
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<p id="ADQe4i">The Red Stars return from the international break with a near-full roster and no excuses. If Chicago have any hope of making a playoff run this season, they’ve got to go in hard on the second half of the campaign. That has to start tonight against one of the toughest sides of the week. It’s Put Up Or Shut Up Time for Chicago.</p>
<h2 id="Qt4avk"><strong>PREVIEW & VIEWING OPTIONS</strong></h2>
<p id="eTUYhI"><strong>Full Preview: </strong><a href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2018/6/15/17466874/chicago-red-stars-portland-thorns-nwsl-2018-week-12-preview-news-injuries-projected-lineups">Red Stars vs Thorns</a></p>
<p id="dEPHXE"><strong>Television</strong>: ESPNews</p>
<p id="oIswC1"><strong>Online Streaming:</strong> <a href="http://www.espn.com/watch/_/id/3387561/chicago-red-stars-vs-portland-thorns-fc">ESPN</a>, <a href="http://NWSLSoccer.com">NWSLSoccer.com</a>, NWSL app (international)</p>
<p id="hUwl2o"><strong>Live Updates: </strong><a href="https://twitter.com/hottimeoldtown">@HotTimeOldTown</a> (livetweets by <a href="https://twitter.com/SandHerrera_">Sandra</a> ) | <a href="http://www.nwslsoccer.com/games/info/berbvr70xf2jkz5xqipw9k6i">NWSL Game Center</a></p>
<h2 id="flyAYp"><strong>CHICAGO RED STARS</strong></h2>
<p id="y9nrOu">Starting XI: Naeher; Gorden, Naughton, Gilliland; Stanton, Colaprico, Ertz (c), Vasconcelos; Nagasato, Mautz, Kerr</p>
<p id="ZhS0Ls">Bench: Boyd, Short, DiBernardo, Green</p>
<h2 id="owulUp"><strong>PORTLAND THORNS</strong></h2>
<p id="fc6GbU">Starting XI: Eckerstrom, Hubly, Reynolds, Menges, Klingenberg, Andressinha, Horan, Carpenter, Sinclair (c), Weber, Crnogorcevic</p>
<p id="CXJsjq">Bench: Geist, Sonnett, Boureille, Salem, Lussi, Onumanu, Raso</p>
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<h2 id="nP2eNn"><strong>JOIN THE CONVERSATION</strong></h2>
<p id="pvSl4d">Be sure to follow our full coverage of every Chicago Red Stars game this season, along with breaking news, tactical analysis, and opinion. Join the conversation in the comments below or on social media.</p>
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https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2018/6/16/17470944/chicago-red-stars-portland-thorns-nwsl-2018-week-12-info-lineups-streaming-kickoff-timeBridget Gordon2018-06-15T15:00:01-05:002018-06-15T15:00:01-05:00Keeping It Real vs Keeping It Weird: Chicago Red Stars vs Portland Thorns, NWSL Week 12 Preview
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<figcaption>Nikita Taparia | Stepover FC</figcaption>
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<p>Will Chicago kick off their season second half with a win?</p> <p id="2mNrhh">The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/NWSL/teams/chicago-red-stars">Chicago Red Stars</a> are back in action following a brief international break. USWNT regulars Alyssa Naeher, Julie Ertz, and Sofia Huerta are back with the Red Stars as Chicago prepares to host the Portland Thorns on Saturday at Toyota Park. The game will serve as the maiden voyage for the new broadcast deal between the NWSL and ESPN. </p>
<aside id="YADPoZ"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"ESPN Will Start Airing Some NWSL Games","url":"https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2018/6/7/17438986/mkot-chicago-red-stars-nwsl-espn-deal-2018"}]}'></div></aside><p id="xpsXrC">The Red Stars will be looking to build some momentum after their solid 2-0 away win over the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/NWSL/teams/washington-spirit">Washington Spirit</a> two weeks ago.</p>
<h1 id="pta1K3">Where We Last Saw Them</h1>
<p id="k9iYYJ">Chicago faced Portland back on March 31st. The 3-2 loss was the first for the Red Stars in 2018. Despite going down early in the match, Chicago tried to fight their way back, eventually heading 2-1 at halftime. In the second half, the Thorns ultimately sealed the 3-2 victory with a Penalty Kick from Christine Sinclair.</p>
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<h1 id="A3ofZ8">Starting Lineup We’d Like To See</h1>
<p id="DmeXYk">With the whole gang back together, we’d like to see them get back to basics and move forward in this second half of the season with the usual suspects now healthy and on the active roster. It’ll been nice to see them all in the starting XI, especially DiBernardo and Short, who have been sorely missed.</p>
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<h1 id="6bkYUd">Keys To The Match</h1>
<p id="B09w6l"><strong>Drippin in Finesse:</strong> After a 5 hour delay and through rainy conditions against Washington, the Red Stars were able to finally get a win after several weeks of draws losses. Aggressive lines and a catalyst of chemistry from Yuki Nagasato were key, and will hopefully be a factor against Portland.</p>
<p id="IzvrsF"><strong>Mark Horan:</strong> Except not really, because <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/NWSL/players/293438/christine-sinclair">Christine Sinclair</a> literally has always enjoyed eating the Red Stars mistakes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. An organized backline in a chaotic game was essential to sealing a win for Chicago in DC, and will be needed again to insure the 3 points at home against Portland.</p>
<p id="RY6R4w"><strong>Real Season Starts Now:</strong> Chicago Red Stars have a historically horrendous record against the Portland Thorns, and haven’t won a game against them since 2013. With the the second half of the season underway, those pesky little things called tie-breakers could come into play down the stretch. 1 game in the books against Portland and 2 more to go, Chicago will want a result at home this weekend against their rivals in the league standing.</p>
<h1 id="DI4V3t">Players To Watch</h1>
<p id="66OtRG"><strong>Portland Thorns:</strong> Christine Sinclair is the usual suspect, but look for Lindsey Horan to disrupt the mid.</p>
<p id="gVPXRx"><strong>Chicago Red Stars:</strong> It’s Australian night at Toyota Park so look out for Samantha Kerr. But if you’re just too Chicago for all that keep an eye on Chicagoland locals in Katie Naughton and Casey Short.</p>
<h1 id="zo7VGw">How to Watch</h1>
<p id="s9yt97"><strong>Kickoff: </strong>Saturday, June 16th, 7:00pm CT at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, IL</p>
<p id="iGvGCM"><strong>TV/Stream:</strong> ESPNews</p>
<h1 id="RRqY47">Final Thoughts</h1>
<p id="inc49S">Will this be the start of winning streak for Chicago? Will Chicago finally get a win against Portland after all these years? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!</p>
https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2018/6/15/17466874/chicago-red-stars-portland-thorns-nwsl-2018-week-12-preview-news-injuries-projected-lineupsSandra Herrera