Therefore, the Red Stars will not have to expend all their efforts in getting everyone up the pitch, each counter, to try and score four or five goals. There have been times during the season where the back three have been isolated and exposed as a result of the wingbacks and central players all making runs up the field at the same time. The downside however is when they get too high and don’t drop and tuck in, the three central defenders are often exposed on the counter attack. Protecting The Back Three: Playing with a back three is extremely effective when you have fit wingbacks who are determined to get up and down. In goal should be USWNT international, and Red Stars' first choice goalkeeper, Alyssa Naeher. The Red Stars have been playing around with some rotation in this third spot, and as of late it has been Amanda Kowalski filling that void. The third central defender is where some uncertainty lies as regular starter Kayla Sharples is out for the season with a torn ACL. Moving on to the three center halves, Tatumn Milazzo and Zoe Morse are both locks, both having played every single minute of this NWSL season. Next to her, is the reliable Danielle Colaprico. Playing centrally behind Yuki should be captain Di Bernardo, who had a great goal last time out against Gotham. Rachel Hill has proved herself as a lock on the right flank this season and will play as the right wing-back, and the versatile Bianca St-Georges should play on the left. I think it is best if the Red Stars allow Nagasato to operate more centrally, so that Pugh and Stevens are able to operate in their most natural position of central striker, working together as a strike force. Pugh leads the team in goals this season with six, and Stevens ranks second highest with three. If the Red Stars want to be as dangerous up front as possible, she starts alongside Ella Stevens. As long as Pugh is healthy, however, she starts. The starting front three this season has really fluctuated, especially with Mallory Pugh having only been available for just eight of the Red Stars' thirteen games this campaign. Although this is the formation that is seen on television at kickoff, the Red Stars often shape into a 3-5-2 going forward, with Yuki Nagasato drifting into a number ten position to allow Rachel Hill to really get up the right flank. Suggested LineupĪlmost religiously lining up in a 3-4-3 every match, it has become the Red Stars' tactical philosophy this season to utilize the width of the pitch by employing two attacking wingbacks.
Both teams going into Sunday’s fixture will be hungry for a win, with both sides winless in their last two matches. Gotham have lost their last two games, having conceded four to Houston, and five to Portland, in what was a dismal 5-0 thrashing on the road. The New York/New Jersey outfit are the lowest scoring team in the league with just 9 goals and have the league’s second-worst goal differential at -13.
The story of Gotham’s season has been one of inconsistent goal scoring and poor defensive displays on many occasions.
Chicago’s attack proved formidable as Gotham struggled to convert chances into goals.Ī win for the Red Stars this weekend could prove pivotal in getting them back on track to compete with the league’s best, especially after a poor run of form in July.Ĭhicago Red Stars all-time NWSL record vs Gotham FC: 12W-10D-4L Previously on… Gotham were certainly dangerous from wide areas, and crosses into the box, which the Red Stars struggled to deal with. Although the Red Stars managed to keep a clean sheet, Gotham certainly had their chances to make the game interesting. Last time out against Gotham, the Red Stars walked away from Red Bull Arena with three goals and three points. Currently holding a playoff spot, Chicago should favor their odds to best the New Jersey/New York side for the second time this season. Houston Dash match, the Red Stars could go into the week sitting as high as third. A hungry, form-stricken Red Stars side will be looking to repeat this result on Sunday, back at Bridgeview.Ī Red Stars win would guarantee them to climb from fifth to fourth in the table, and depending on the result of the OL Reign vs. The last three points the Red Stars picked up were in the form of a 3-0 win on the road against this weekend’s opponents. The Red Stars will be looking for their first win since the beginning of July. This Sunday, the Red Stars return to what they know as home, following a noisy Lollapalooza weekend at Soldier Field.
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