Yazmeen Ryan scores lone goal to end the Stars’ unbeaten streak
By Lesley Ryder
The Chicago Stars seemed doomed from the start of this match. The tidy passes, aggressive press and midfield organization that had been so key for this team out of the summer break failed to show in the first half. Houston’s Yazmeen Ryan eluded defenders multiple times, and broke through with the winning goal in the 28th minute.
Houston’s first half attack had the Stars chasing shadows. Yazmeen Ryan and Delanie Sheehan combined for 5 scoring opportunities in the attacking third. In the 28th minute, Ryan jumped on a poor clearance from Sam Staab and advanced downfield in a 3-on-1 advantage. She took her shot just inside the 18’ box and it cruised past a diving Alyssa Naeher. The Stars only mustered a single shot on target on Abby Smith, who came on for an injured Jane Campbell in the 12th minute Given the chances by Houston, the Stars were fortunate to get to the break only down by one goal.
After a rough first half, the Stars needed a change. Interim Anders Jacobson hoped to try a new pressing tactic using the width of Houston’s pitch. “I didn't get those answers that I needed. So we did a change in the locker room to go back and do what we've been doing,” Jacobson explained.
The second half brought more composed possession but they couldn’t turn that yield to quality scoring chances. The Stars put 5 shots on target, but ultimately none of them challenged Smith. Houston continued their relentless attack. Yazmeen Ryan continued to haunt defenders, but Alyssa Naeher stood tall in net to keep the game within reach for the Stars.
An 88th minute handball by Kathy Hendrich brought Ryan to the spot with a chance to double Houston’s lead. She put a strong shot to the low left post, but Naeher was able to parry it away out of play. In the 7th minute of stoppage time, Naeher came off her line to stymie a Messiah Bright shot. The Chicago defense banded together to stonewall the rebound opportunities that followed, and cleared the ball out of danger to keep the score 1-0.
Chicago’s second half unbeaten streak came to an end, and the team suffered their first loss since they fell 1-0 in Portland on June 21st.
After the match, Jacobson broke down where the Stars went wrong. “We were a bit unclear. I don't know why. I think we had done a great week. I saw in front of me that we were clear on what we're going to do… the first half was killing us today, that was my sense.”
“We were not pleased with our first half performance. We know that we can play better than that across the board,” said Alyssa Naeher after the match. “I thought the second half was more the way we have been playing the last, the last few weeks. So [I’m] proud of that ability of the group to put a frustrating 45 minutes behind us.”
Sam Staab, midfielder?
The Stars came into the match without Maitane because of an excused absence. The Stars seemed to struggle a bit without her veteran presence in the midfield.
“The reality is we played a bit different with different players today. And I think what we got to see was a bit of a reaction, maybe from the weeks we've been having,” said Jacobson.
In the 64th minute, Jacobson took Manaka Hayashi off, and moved Sam Staab up to her midfield position. It’s something Jacobson has been trying in training.
“I had a discussion with Sam. I told her I think she's good on the ball, and I think she can actually play quite well in that in that position, as well as being a center back. We were having a bit of fun about it, but she accepted it, and we had some training sessions, and she felt good. I think she was doing great. And I have to say that even today, when she get in that position, she's doing it well.”
It could be a viable option for the Stars, who are in desperate need of a proper distributing midfielder. But the move could come at a cost. How do you replace an irreplaceable centerback?
Notes from the field
- Alyssa Naeher now has seven penalty saves in regular season play, putting her 3rd all-time behind Jane Campbell and Kailen Sheridan.
- Hannah Anderson made her first appearance for the Stars since June 14th. The centerback signed a three-year contract extension last summer.
- Naeher’s five saves in the match puts her at 697 career regular season saves.
- The loss does not eliminate the Stars from playoff contention, but with only a maximum of 30 points possible, mathematic elimination draws closer.