The Chicago Red Stars advanced to the NWSL Playoff Semifinals for the sixth consecutive season with a 1-0 win over Gotham FC on a beautiful afternoon in Bridgeview. Mallory Pugh’s 61st minute goal not only stuck a dagger in Gotham’s championship hopes but put an end to the storied career of soccer legend Carli Lloyd.
Going into the game, Chicago was facing a team that hadn’t lost since August and went up against one of the top players in the league in Midge Purce. The home team’s defense was solid, and the offensive threats of Purce and Lloyd were stifled for 90 minutes as Gotham hardly threatened the goal.