Late on Saturday night, the Chicago Red Stars faced off against the Washington Spirit for their first game of the NWSL Challenge Cup. They started the game on the front foot but conceded the first goal of the match when Rose Lavelle turned Ashley Hatch’s blocked shot home.
The second half got off to an even worse start. Right from the kickoff, the ball was played all the way back to goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher. Naeher didn’t notice, or simply just wasn’t quick enough to avoid a pressing Hatch. Hatch took the ball right off her foot and converted an easy chance, putting Washington up 2-0.