New England Soccer Today

Breakers fall to Chicago

The Boston Breakers’ winless run went to three games on Sunday after dropping a 1-0 loss to the Chicago Red Stars, 1-0, in Lisle, Ill.

Lori Chalupny knocked in the game’s only goal for Chicago, while the Breakers were shutout for just the second time this season.

The result pushes the Breakers down to fifth place in the NWSL standings, 10 points from league-leading Sky Blue FC.

“We should’ve been able to take a point on the road,” Breakers Head Coach Lisa Cole said in a team release. “It was a physical game where players’ energy and hard work dictated play. We’ve been on the road for two of the last three games, and obviously you see that in our play. We got a little outworked, but did enough to get a point on the road. It’ll be good to get home and get back at it.”

It was the second time this season that the Red Stars, who remain below Boston in the standings in sixth place, upset Boston. on Sunday, it was evident from Chicago’s early control of the game that the Breakers would probably not avenge their 4-1 home loss to the Red Stars on May 4.

Chalupny finally broke through in the 26th minute, when she trapped a pass from the left flank by Julianne Sitch in the penalty area and found the back of the net with a shot to the far post.

Boston was second best in scoring opportunities and possession in the first half, though they came out stronger after halftime. Sydney LeRoux, who entered the game tied for the league’s best scoring record, had the Breakers’ best chances. She had the first scoring opportunity of the second half, a drive from 18 yards out off a Lianne Sanderson feed blocked by Chicago goalkeeper Erin McLeod.

In the 65th minute, LeRoux had what appeared to be the equalizing effort. She controlled a lay-0ff by Katie Schoepfer and fired, but her shot came off the underside of the crossbar and stayed out of the net.

The Breakers will play league-leading Sky Blue FC , who defeated them 5-1 on June 1, next at Dilboy Stadium on Sunday.

“There’s definitely going to be some revenge in that game,” added Cole. “What they did to us last time, the team is aware of, and that probably won’t happen again when we see them next.”

 

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