Just about everything went wrong for the Chicago Stars in their season debut.
The Stars were shut out 6-0 on the road by defending league champion Orlando on March 14 in NWSL action.
Coach Lorne Donaldson called the result “unacceptable” and said adjustments will be made, but also that he doesn’t want to revamp the whole system.
Stars goalie Alyssa Naeher said the team gave a good effort and blamed herself for some of the goals against her. One of Orlando’s scores was an own goal.
“Obviously a lot of credit goes to them,” Naeher said of Orlando. “They have a phenomenal team and a number of world-class attacking players.
“But I need to make more saves. At the end of the day, I need to do better.”
Orlando (1-0-0) outshot Chicago 25-8, including 8-2 in shots on goal.
“We couldn’t find ourselves in a comfortable place,” Donaldson said.
The Stars hope to be a little more comfortable when they play their home opener at 2 p.m. March 23 against Houston (0-1-0) at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview. Houston opened the season with a 2-1- loss to Washington on March 14.
Still no Swanson
As expected, offensive stalwart Mallory Swanson did not open the season with the Stars.
She has missed the entire preseason for personal reasons.
“I think to me, it’s a week-to-week thing,” Donaldson said. “We just have to just give her space and let whatever happens, happens. We can’t do much about her situation right now, because that’s her space right now.
“We just want her to be happy, and the club is behind her, and you know, we just hope for everything, all the best. [She’s a] great player. One of, if not the, top players in the world, but, you know, the game still goes on.
SXU women fall in nationals
St. Xavier’s women’s basketball team, which received a surprise invitation to the NAIA National Tournament, dropped a 73-63 overtime decision to Marian March 14 in the first round in Indianapolis.
The 14th-seeded Cougars (18-12) were led by Ryann Ogarek, who had 19 points, while Alyssa Crenshaw added 16. Aaliyahna Derrell had seven assists.
Hounds win again
The Chicago Hounds won their fourth straight Major League Rugby game, 30-26 over Old Glory DC on March 14 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview.
The Hounds (4-1) picked up 13 points from Chris Hilsebeck on three penalty kicks and two conversions. Mac Jones had a pair of tries and has a team-high four on the year.
The Hounds visit NOLA Gold at 7 p.m. on March 29.
Fired up
The Chicago Fire used goals from Andrew Gutman and Hugo Cuypers to beat Toronto 2-1 on the road March 15 in MLS action.
The Fire (2-1-1) visit Vancouver March 22.
The Fire II beat Toronto FC II 1-0 March 13 in an MLS NEXT Pro game at SeatGeek Stadium. Bryce Richards scored the lone goal for the Fire (1-1-0) and goalie Patrick Los recorded the shutout.
The Fire II visit Cincinnati on March 30.
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