Chicago Red Stars in San Diego on a Short Week: Preview

The Chicago Red Stars are on a short week as they’re in San Diego to take on the Wave on Friday in the second of two nationally broadcasted NWSL matches that evening.

Chicago (5-2-7, 17 points, 7th in NWSL) has lost four of its last five entering this weekend while only scoring multiple goals in that span when it played to a 2-2 draw against Kansas City after Sam Staab’s 90th-minute equalizer.

Ally Schlegel’s status is in doubt but Penelope Hocking did travel with the team after missing last weekend’s match with a hip injury.

The San Diego Wave (3-6-5, 15 points, 9th in NWSL) shocked the women’s soccer world on Monday when they fired head coach Casey Stoney amidst her third season in charge. The club’s inaugural head coach, who signed a contract extension with the Wave in the offseason, has been replaced by Paul Buckle on an interim basis. Red Stars head coach Lorne Donaldson expects a tough Wave side despite their current six-match winless streak.

“They can’t change everything, but they can change the mentality,” Donaldson said during his weekly media availability. “My guess is they will come out like a bunch of wild hyenas, getting after us, and we have to be prepared to fight a little fire with fire. Staying with what they throw at us and try to throw something back at them.

“Obviously, they will change something tactically a little bit, but they can’t change everything. Most of the players are still going to be the same. At least we know the players, but systems change stylistically a little. We have to be ready for it.”

The Wave aren’t the only side dealing with obstacles this weekend. The Red Stars played in balmy conditions across the country in North Carolina on Sunday and now find themselves playing on the West Coast with fewer than five days in between. Donaldson wouldn’t let the tough travel schedule be an excuse.

“That’s a part of the league. I’m not going to find an issue about it. We all have to do it. We’ve just got to pull ourselves up, grab our bootstrap, lace it up and get ready to go again. It’s a part of the league, I don’t have much to say about it.”

Player Perspective: Sarah Griffith

Sarah Griffith has been finding her stride as she’s been re-inserted into the Red Stars' starting 11 in consecutive matches. The third-year forward out of Purdue has just been focusing on being prepared when called upon.

“I’ve just stayed ready and worked on what I can bring to the team, what strengths I can help out with on the field,” said Griffith. “Getting to play in that formation, step in and help them maybe control or connect some passes has been nice. I’m just staying ready to step in when my name is called.”

The Naperville native, who has been a mainstay at the Red Stars youth camps throughout her time with the club, doesn’t mind the quick turnaround in San Diego after the result against the Courage last weekend.

“There’s so many lessons we learned from the last game too, being able to process and learn from those, and being able to show it in a quick turnaround will be important. We’re excited, we’re going to come out confident and flying, and that’s all you can ask from a quick turnaround.

While the on-pitch results have varied for everyone with the Red Stars in 2024, Griffith managed to create a nice bond with new teammate Maxi Rall.

“Maxi is a big personality. She might come off shy, but she’s one of the funnier people I’ve met. I love hearing about people’s careers and everything they’ve done, places they’ve gone. She’s had an amazing career, the games she’s played in, the teammates... I think we just got along.

“I asked her a lot of questions about everywhere she’s played, we’ve just had long conversations and I think it’s grown into a really good friendship. She’s hilarious. She loves California. I’ve never seen her so happy in the sun and the palm trees, she’s amazed by every plant. It’s been fun to just hang out with her.

“Especially when we have three trips in a row, it makes it easier, it brings smiles to my face. She’s an amazing teammate and her career, what she’s been through as a person has been so interesting to hear.”

How to Watch Chicago Red Stars vs. San Diego Wave

Who: Chicago Red Stars at San Diego Wave

Where: Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, California

When: June 28, 2024 at 9:00 PM CT

How to Watch: NWSL+ or Marquee Sports Network locally

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