Summer Cup Preview: Chicago Red Stars vs. Washington Spirit

It hasn't been a fun start to the inaugural NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup for the Chicago Red Stars.

Debuts have been made and Mackenzie Wood and Sydney Schneider have showcased their talents in net, but Chicago sits in the cellar of Group D with only a single point after its first two group stage matches.

At this point, head coach Lorne Donaldson would just like to see his side have some success on offense in this tournament.

“We’ve got to score goals,” said Donaldson during his pre-match media availability. “Obviously the last game we got chances and, you know, it seems like there's a little cover in the back of the net, so we got to unlock it a little bit and score a goal and then just kind of go from there.

“And the expectation is to come out and perform hard. We can say we play hard but are we playing smart and doing the right things to win games. I just don't think you know, get a little bit better. We try to improve our football IQ. Every time we go in with football IQ. That's how you score goals.

“Some of the players are not here and a lot of players won't play this game. There's players that are gonna be out, which is good for the young players to come in like Bea [Franklin] and [Leilanni Nesbeth] and a lot of the young players.”

Chicago will again be without Alyssa Naeher and Malory Swanson while they’re with the USWNT, and newcomers Julia Grosso (Canada) and Ludmila (Brazil) will officially join the club after the Summer Olympics.

The Spirit currently sit third in Group D with three points after defeating Chivas de Guadalajara Femenil in their first Summer Cup match and losing their second contest against Gotham FC in Chester, Pennsylvania.

Washington will be without USWNT players Trinity Rodman, Croix Bethune, Hal Hershfelt, and Casey Krueger along with Colombia’s Leicy Santos and Canada’s Gabby Carle as they’re all away at the Summer Olympics.

The Red Stars can expect to see a familiar face in Virginia after Jill Aguilera signed a short-term loan from USL Super League’s Carolina Ascent after spending two her first two pro seasons with Chicago.

How to Watch Chicago Red Stars vs. Washington Spirit

Who: Chicago Red Stars vs Washington Spirit

What: NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, Group D Round 3

Where: City Stadium, Richmond, Virginia

When: July 31, 2024 at 6:30 PM CT

How to Watch: Paramount+

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