By Lesley Ryder
Chicago Stars FC extended their second-half undefeated streak to 7 games with a comeback 1-1 draw against the Portland Thorns. Olivia Moultrie became the highest-scoring teenager in league history with her first half goal for the Thorns, and Bea Franklin scored her second goal in as many games for the Stars.
Portland opened the scoring early. In the 12th minute, Bea Franklin conceded a foul just outside the Chicago box. Olivia Moultrie lined up the shot and scored an absolute howler to score her 14th career goal, the most ever for a teenage player in the NWSL.
Chicago struggled to find their footing for much of the first half. Portland’s midfield, led by Sam Coffey intercepted and parried the stars’ attempts to bring the ball downfield.
“I think we went we did too many things, a bit too slow, which made it a bit too easy for them,” said interim head coach Anders Jacobson. “We were a bit passive. We we didn't have clear decision making when we needed to go in the press.”
The Stars fortunes turned as the half wound down. In the 45th minute, Sam Staab dribbled the ball in from the left corner past two Portland players, and sent the ball into the mixer. Ally Schlegel’s header attempt missed, but Bea Franklin was there to bury the loose ball in the back of the net.
The second half proved a tougher battle for both teams. While each side had an opportunity to score the go-ahead goal, neither side could find the winner. As the match entered stoppage time, Manaka Hayashi took a corner kick for Chicago. Bea Franklin headed the ball on frame but Mackenzie Arnold’s fingertip save kept the teams level.
Ludmila was held scoreless for the first time since August 10th vs Bay FC. The Brazilian striker was smothered in double and triple team coverage. According to FotMob, she was held to the fewest touches of any outfield player in the match.
“I think it's obvious for everyone in the league to see that she's a star player, and no one wants to be playing one versus one against her,” said Jacobson. “She was doing the work, and I think we should have supported her a bit better, then she could have maybe got the scoring chance again. She was very close in the end, but we also need to teach her to handle those moments better.”
Stars remain unbeaten in second half
The Stars are heading down the last quarter of the season on a 7-match unbeaten streak. Despite this run, they still sit in 13th place on the table with 15 points. With just six games remaining, they’re 12 points out of a playoff spot. A draw may be preferable to a loss, but they need wins to climb the table. “One point a game obviously isn't going to do it for us. So think it's it's great, but still really frustrating, because we want wins, not ties,” said Franklin.
Though the team has drawn six of their last seven games, they’ve held their own and outperformed the top teams in the league on this stretch. “We played the team that is fourth on the table. I do think we played better,” said Jacobson “We created better chances. If I look the way they created their chances, mostly was through the set pieces.”
Up next for the Stars on Friday is the Houston Dash, a team that was undefeated after the break until they lost to the upstart Utah Royals on Sunday evening. Both teams will be searching for a win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Notes from the field
- Alyssa Naeher’s 200th match was celebrated before kickoff. The Chicago captain is the first NWSL goalkeeper to reach this mark.
- The Stars are on their longest unbeaten streak since their 9-game run in 2022.