Chicago Red Stars coach Rory Dames says he’s been “trying different combinations” through his team’s first two NWSL Challenge Cup matches. Defensively, those combinations are working well. The Red Stars have given up just one shot on goal through 180 minutes. The team’s attack, however, is a much different story, failing to score for the second straight match, resulting in a 1-0 loss to the Portland Thorns Thursday night at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview.
The Red Stars attack actually created a few decent chances in the first half, the best of those being a left footer by Kealia Watt that was saved by Thorns goalkeeper Adriana Franch in the 19th minute.