Second Half Collapse Dooms Breakers
- Updated: May 9, 2015
Photo credit: Boston Breakers
A strong first half gave way to a second stanza collapse for the Boston Breakers, who dropped a 3-0 loss to the Chicago Red Stars at Toyota Park in Naperville, Ill. on Saturday.
After keeping the unbeaten Red Stars off the board in the first half, the Breakers were unable to contain Sofia Huerta in the second. The Stars’ striker scored twice in the 56th and 82nd minutes and assisted on Cara Walls’ 70th minute goal.
The road loss dropped the Breakers record to 1-3-0 (3 points), while the Red Stars improved their mark to 3-0-1 (9 points).
One development that didn’t help the Breakers in their quest for a result was the absence of goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who was called up for U.S. Women’s National Team camp ahead of the summer’s Women’s World Cup.
Jami Kranich made her pro debut in place of Naeher, and collected six saves in the process. While Kristie Mewis collected a couple of early opportunities before 15 minutes, there was little Kranich could do with Huerta wielding her influence with ease once the second half rolled around.
Huerta’s first goal came when she beat the Boston backline and buried beyond the reach of Kranich shortly before the hour mark. The Red Stars striker set up the second after sending a pass to Walls, who smacked the underside of the bar before it crashed over the line with 20 minutes left. Huerta made it a brace in the 82nd minute when she fired a shot that found the back of the net.
The Breakers return to action Saturday, May 16 when they host Portland Thorns FC at Soldiers Field Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 4:00pm.
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