Scoreless Draw for Red Stars and Beat

By Tessa Fegen

BRIDGEVIEW, IL - June 6, 2010 - The Chicago Red Stars have made some changes since their last match-- a 1-0 win against FC Gold Pride on May 29. On Thursday, they announced Omid Namazi as the organization’s second full-time head coach. He replaced Emma Hayes who coached the Red Stars during the 2009 WPS season and the first six matches of 2010.

Not only that, but they also brought aboard three Athletica free agents: midfielder Nikki Washington, Elk Grove Village native Elise Weber, and England National Team member Anita Asante. The club said goodbye to Ifeoma Dieke, Brittany Klein, and Michele Weissenhofer.

The changes seemed to be positive as the Chicago Red Stars (2-4-2) outplayed the Atlanta Beat (0-6-2), despite a scoreless turnout. The Red Stars outshot Atlanta and controlled majority of the possession. This was the first-ever meeting between the two clubs.

The first half ended scoreless with only a few good chances at a goal for either side. In the 2nd minute Karen Carney had a free-kick just outside the eighteen that marked the first shot of the game. Atlanta gained possession and had their own chance to score just seconds later as they got in front of the goal with a hard shot that was deflected out for a corner. They could not convert.

The Red Stars had another opportunity in the 17th minute when Carney sent in a corner which found the head of Casey Nogueira and then the feet of Cristiane who got a shot off. The shot went high. Then, in the 22nd minute Carney found Cristiane alone in the box on a through ball, but she was just steps offsides.

The Red Stars came out a lot stronger at the start of the second half getting several attempts at a goal in the first ten minutes.

In the 50th minute, Cristiane crossed a ball to Megan Rapinoe wide open in the eighteen but her shot was not hard enough and it went right to Atlanta's Hope Solo, considered to be the best goalkeeper in the women's game. In the 53rd minute Nogueria looked to play Rapinoe again in the box but the ball was sent too hard allowing the Beat keeper to intercept it. Perhaps the best opportunity came in the 72nd minute when a corner from Carney was played back to Dalmy who dummied over the ball then made a run as Engen received it and played her one touch. Dalmy was able to cross it inside the six yard box to a diving Chapman. The ball was moving too fast and despite sliding, she was could not able to get a foot on it. Moments later Formiga sent in a vigorous shot, unfortunately at savable height for Solo.

Although their chances were few in the second half, Atlanta had their own near goal in the 83rd minute when defender Tina Ellertson planted a hard header just over the goal off a corner kick. It was a frustrating match for both clubs as neither was expecting to leave with a scoreless draw after so many changes.

The Red Stars next match is June 12th on the road against the Washington Freedom.

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