Chicago Stars Offense Can't Get Out of the Gates Against Racing Louisville
The Chicago Stars have now lost all 3 games to start the season after loss to Racing Louisville 1-0
Positive Pressure
Following a two-hour weather delay, the Chicago Stars once again started the game with a more offensive mindset. The Stars looked to be in a 4-4-2 with Justina Gaynor earning her first career start at outside back and Hannah Anderson returning to the starting line up at center back alongside Sam Staab. These moves allowed for Bea Franklin to move into the midfield and Julia Grosso to move higher up the pitch into a more familiar role.
Chicago had some very good movement in the first 10 minutes of the games. Taylor Malham was getting higher up the pitch and into dangerous areas. At times Chicago seemed to be moving into a three-back to create more attacking options. Creating overloads by pushing Malham higher which created more scoring opportunities and forcing Louisville into mistakes. The Stars were possessing the ball and making some great runs but unfortunately could never capitalize on any of them. Anderson had a fantastic opportunity in the match from a beautiful ball in from Staab that hit the crossbar. This was by far Chicago’s best chance of the game.
After the first 10 minutes, the momentum shifted to Racing’s side and Chicago sat further back on the pitch in a more defensive shape. Anderson tried to pass into traffic to Julia Grosso and it got intercepted by Racing’s Taylor Flint, who tapped it forward to Emma Sears who rocketed a shot by Alyssa Naeher in the 27th minute. Building out of the back continues to be a problem for Chicago this season as their passes become too predictable and easily intercepted by their opponents. Naeher has never been known for her excellent foot skills as a keeper so this strategy is baffling to me. Chicago also has a fairly young back line currently with a limited Staab and Natalia Kuikka currently out with an injury. Playing out of the back has a time but now isn’t it.
Offensive Woes Continue
The Chicago Stars continue to not be able to get shots off against their opponents. Against Racing Louisville, Chicago was able to take 11 shots and only three of those were on target. To be fair, it wasn’t a very offensive game for either team. Chicago did a solid job defensively only allowing 16 shots and four of them were on target. The continued issue for the Stars is the midfield. Chicago consistently loses the midfield battle against their opponents and it was the same song and dance as always against a Racing Louisville. Chicago needs to stop regressing into a defensive shape 10-20 minutes into games. The Stars get off to such great starts to halves but then the pressure and success fades into a depressing “defend for your life” strategy. There has to be a happy medium they can find if they want to compete with teams this season. The coaching staff have to find a way to utilize the personnel on their team. Doing the same thing over and over but expecting a different result is the definition of insanity.
Jameese Joseph has been a bright spot this season for Chicago. Joseph has scored the only goal for the club and seems to have put in a lot of work during the offseason. I have really enjoyed watching Joseph’s movement on and off the ball. The Stars just need to find more ways to get the ball to her feet so she can make some magic happen. Ludmila hasn’t found her footing yet this season but hopefully she will soon. The style of play for Chicago is tough on the forwards because they so rarely get the ball in the offensive part of the field they feel like they have to be perfect. The players seems to be looking for the perfect pass or shot rather than playing freely.
What’s Next?
Micayla Johnson was unavailable for the game against Racing Louisville due to U-17 USWNT games. MJ and the U.S. will be attempting to qualify for the upcoming U17 World Cup in Morocco. Joseph received a call up to the U-23 USWNT camp that will run concurrently with the senior USWNT during the upcoming international break. This will be more great experience for Joseph and hopefully will help her build more confidence when she returns to Chicago. Ella Masar will also be joining Joseph at the USWNT camp as a member of Emma Hayes’ coaching staff. Masar was drafted by Hayes to Chicago in 2009. This will be a wonderful opportunity for Masar to learn from the USWNT coaches and players.
Stephanie Sparkowski, who was an NRI keeper for Chicago in the preseason, received a call up for the U-23 USWNT camp as well.
After the international break, the Chicago Stars will return to action against Bay FC on April 13th on ESPN 2. Bay FC is currently 1-1-1 on the season and looking to rebound from a 2-0 loss to Washington. This will be the first time the clubs have played since Chicago traded Penelope Hocking to Bay. Chicago will need to be sound defensively to slow down the speedy Oshoala and crafty Kundananji. Chicago Stars fans know that Hocking brings a lot of speed to the front line of Bay as well.
Bay likes to possess the ball so that won’t be an issue against Chicago. Chicago is also used to teams having more possession than them. Chicago will need to capitalize on winning aerial duels against Bay and utilizing their speed up top to beat the defensive line of Bay. This is a winnable game for Chicago if they can use the pressure they have to start the last two games to create scoring opportunities and cash them in.
Ally Schlegel could be a big factor in this game for her defensive abilities and fearlessness in the air. If Chicago plays Franklin in the midfield again look for her height to play a big factor in winning balls. I will be looking for a bounce back game for Anderson, who seemed to struggle in the game against Racing Louisville. Anderson had some uncharacteristic giveaways and I expect to see her sharper against Bay. Chicago needs to maintain its shape rather than falling back into a more defensive formation against Bay. Keeping pressure on Bay will force turnovers and Silkowitz is in her first year as a starting keeper in the NWSL. Chicago should get shots off as much as possible to test the keeper and look for potential rebounds.
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