In a game where new players saw their first NWSL action for the Chicago Red Stars, and Morgan Gautrat scored her first goal with her married name on her back, it was an image before the game even started that mattered most.
As most of the team took a knee during the national anthem to honor the Black Lives Matter movement, the image of Julie Ertz holding Casey Short, who were both in tears, was powerful and is telling.
“It’s been an incredibly emotional day for our entire team,” Red Stars coach Rory Dames said after the match.