Before the game, Pimiento and I sat down to record the second edition of our Crosstown Podcast. We discussed Friday’s upcoming match between the U.S. and Colombia. In addition to Copa América, we touched base on the USWNT’s current financial situation (will they strike?), updates on the Chicago Fire, and the status of the Chicago Red Stars, as they USWNT prepare for the Olympics.
Several women’s soccer fans in the National Women’s Soccer League Supporters’ Facebook group have asked for recommendations on where to stay in Chicago and what to do while visiting. I put together a soccer-centric visitors guide that I hope that will be useful to those visiting Chicago in support of the beautiful game.
Exploring Chicago. Photo credit: Nicole Hack
Where to stay?
There are countless hotel options in Chicago and most of these will be close enough to the stadium that you can walk to the game. Here are a few fun, trendy hotel locations that I recommend:
If these hotels aren’t your cup of tea or within your budget, from hip to historic, there are plenty of other hotels to stay at while visiting. Check out Travel + Leisure and Midwest Living for more options.
Neighborhoods:
Chicago is a big city, so you might not be sure what location best suits your needs. Here are recommended areas to stay in based on proximity to Soldier Field:
From the USWNT to Rumi Utsugi, from the Red Stars to equal pay — here’s the latest news on the world of women’s soccer.
USA vs. Japan
U.S.A. vs. Japan in Cleveland on Sunday, June 5. Photo Credit: Shane Murray – @SMurrayMedia
Over the last week, the USWNT played Japan in two intense friendlies. The first match ended in a 3-3 draw, and today the U.S. won 2-0 after the game was called due to severe weather in the 76th minute. Take a look back at the games and the key notes from this competitive matchup:
Excelle Sports: Ali Krieger’s going to feel that storm the most— Krieger’s still outside looking in on a starting back four spot with Jill Ellis, and not getting another fifteen minutes to prove her worth has to sting. In the meantime, there’s still Washington Spirit matches, but it’s not the same as coming in off the bench and making an immediate mark on the game.
Once A Metro: The formation was advertised as a 4-3-3 with Morgan as the lone striker with Heath and Dunn on the wings, but Press tended to press up higher, converting the formation into more of a 4-2-2 with Morgan and Press up top. Press was an integral part of the attack and created several opportunities in the U.S.’s final third, but the game was called before she could score a goal.
Last Word on Sports: This relatively young squad believes this was a game and experience that will help better prepare them for the Olympics. “Everything that we’re doing right now is to prepare us for the Olympic Games,” Ellis said about moving forward beyond the match. “We learned a valuable lesson. Unfortunately, it is a tough lesson, but if it helps us down in Brazil, I’ll take it.”
The Equalizer: Press had several opportunities in only her fourth start of the year. Her right-footed shot in the opening minute of the match went off the face of Yamane. Press also put an early second-half opportunity wide of the frame from 20 yards out after Tobin Heath played Press into space.
Equal Pay. Equal Play.
The U.S. women are still battling for equal pay.
Keeper Notes: Going on strike is about exerting the maximum amount of economic pressure on your employer to get them to capitulate to the employment terms and conditions you desire. The USWNT’s best time to strike since 2005 was this last year when the USWNT were coming off all the fame and notoriety that went with being World Cup Champions. However, a strike also has to have an economic impact that is felt by the employer. The Olympics are set this summer in Brazil and a strike would leave the USWNT without its best players before one of it’s two most important tournaments.
The USWNT fight for equal pay. Photo credit: The Odyssey Online
Bridgeview, IL – Sunday May 29, 2016: Chicago Red Stars forward Sofia Huerta (11) celebrates scoring during a regular season National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) match at Toyota Park. (Photo credit: Chicago Red Stars)
The Chicago Red Stars played Sky Blue FC to a 1-1 draw on Sunday. They were without three starters from the USWNT: Julie Johnston, Alyssa Naeher, and Christen Press, which I discussed in my match preview. It was imperative for the Red Stars to create scoring opportunities and lock down the defense without these starters reporting to national team duty.
Sophia Huerta scored a goal in the 34th minute after a beautiful ball was slotted to her through the middle of the field from Danielle Colaprico. These two and the rest of the Red Stars created plenty of other starting opportunities but were unable to find the back of the net with the chances they created. With a goal from Sky Blue FC in the 69th minute of the game, the Red Stars were not able to earn their fifth win of seven games this season; however, they still remain unbeaten in six games.
In post match interviews, the Red Stars’ head coach Rory Dames wasn’t shy in expressing how he felt about the team’s performance, and now his comments are a hot topic of debate amongst NWSL fans.
Today Chicago Reds Stars played Sky Blue FC to a 1-1 draw at Toyota Park. The game started off slow until the 34th minute when Sofia Huerta netted a goal off a beautiful assist from Jen Hoy.
— Our Game Magazine (@OurGameMagazine) May 29, 2016
Huerta has scored seven goals in her NWSL career and all seven of these goals have come when Christen Press hasn’t been playing. If the Chicago Red Stars can take advantage of the goal scoring abilities of these two players and develop their on-field chemistry, the Red Stars offense attack will be a dangerous one.
Today the Chicago Red Stars face off against Sky Blue FC at Toyota Park. The Red Stars are on the hunt for their fifth win in their seventh game of the season, while Sky Blue are looking to bounce back after having five goals scored against them in their previous match.
In their fourth match of the season, the Chicago Red Stars take on the Boston Breakers Saturday at Harvard’s Jordan Field. The Red Stars have come out on top in their last two matches and are looking for their third consecutive win of the season against the Breakers.
Photo via: Chicago Red Stars
Per the Red Stars, “The match holds special implications for new Red Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who became a fan favorite over the course of her combined five years with the Breakers, prior to joining her current team this offseason.”
I asked the fans, including a few devoted Chicago Local 134 supporters, what they’re most interested in seeing in tomorrow’s game, and here’s what they had to say.
In their first ever meeting, the Chicago Red Stars faced the Orlando Pride at Toyota Park today. Both teams are 1-0-1 (W-D-L) in their first two games of 2016. Many women’s soccer fans anticipated this game to be a battle of US Soccer players. The Pride have stars, Alex Morgan (forward) and Ashlyn Harris (goalkeeper) while the Chicago Red Stars have Christen Press (forward), Julie Johnston (defender), and Alyssa Naeher (goalkeeper).
As reported by the Chicago Red Stars, coach Rory Dames had no plan to adjust his lineup or style of play to defend the dangerous attack of Morgan:
In terms of preparing for Saturday’s meeting with first-year club Orlando Pride, the man (Rory Dames) in charge of Chicago isn’t too interested in adapting to an opponent that has only played two NWSL games in its history and is still very much working to find its own identity.
It's GAAAAMEDAAAAAY! (you know @Oprah would be a #crs07 fan) Layer up and spike your hot chocolate, those Floridians aren't ready for this.
— Chicago Local 134 (@ChicagoLocal134) May 1, 2016
Game day! Resting up before the 5pmCT start! #ORLvCHI
This past Friday, I had the opportunity to sit down and chat soccer with Juan Pimiento of The Man Uverse on our new podcast, Crosstown Podcast.
While our favorite teams span over continents – Juan follows Manchester United of the Premier League, and I follow local Chicago teams including the Chicago Fire and the Chicago Red Stars – we were still able to share stories and exchange notes over our shared passion of fútbol.
CF97 Sirens 