For the first time all season, the Chicago Red Stars had turned a game around. After trailing early, they dominated the second half on Wednesday night against Racing Louisville. Kealia Watt finally scored her second goal of the year to tie the game in the 57th minute, and in the waning moments a winner felt like a foregone conclusion.
Rachel Hill fired a shot toward goal which struck the flailing arm of Louisville defender Gemma Bonner. The Red Stars had a penalty to win the game, or so they thought.
“Until PRO referee decides that the NWSL is important to them and not just a training ground for MLS referees it won’t get better,” said Red Stars head coach Rory Dames, both of the no-call and the theme of controversial officiating that has hovered over the entire 2021 NWSL season.