What a difference one goal can make.
It’d be so easy to describe the Chicago Red Stars’ performance on Wednesday night in Orlando as more of the same trouble, a symptom of a punishing schedule and a lack of ability to close down the competition.
Except for that goal.
If the Red Stars had ended this match in a 0-0 draw, with a second dropped result to the league-bottom Pride, with the hope of a postseason spot slipping into the distance, one would’ve been inclined to say harsh things.
So thank goodness they got that goal, because that’s not what happened.