In their 2021 home debut, the Chicago Red Stars drew 0-0 with Gotham FC to pick up their first point of the NWSL season. Mallory Pugh was the star of the show, creating numerous chances and looking back to her old self with her combination of speed and acceleration but unable to find or create the breakthrough.
“That was my first 90-minute game in a very long time,” Pugh said afterword, clearly exasperated . “I feel good, I feel confident, and it’s just nice to have the energy of my teammates around me.”
Even if there had been goals the big story of the night wasn’t on the field but was, of course, the return of Red Stars fans who watched their team play in person for the first time since October 20, 2019 when they defeated the Portland Thorns 1-0 to advance to advance to the 2019 NWSL Championship game (the less said about that the better).