Chicago Red Stars beat Houston Dash for second straight win

The NWSL is full of surprises, but the Chicago Red Stars pulled off an impressive showing with their second straight win, this time against the Houston Dash. Forward Mallory Swanson was largely responsible for the 1-0 victory.

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With a 7-7-2 record and 23 points, the Chicago Red Stars now sit comfortably above the playoff line in sixth place. That result is crucial, especially with the Olympic break approaching. Mallory Swanson, with seven goals this season, has contributed to that. She has been a true goal machine recently, scoring in four straight games, a feat not seen since Jen Hoy in 2014.

Swanson’s goal in first-half injury time was a work of art. The play began with a ball recovery near midfield, followed by a masterful dribble into the box. Swanson then found the far post, scoring his seventh goal of the season.

And Red Star’s celebration could have come even earlier. Swanson raced into Houston territory, showing impressive speed. She passed to Natalia Kuikka on the left wing, who tried to cross into the box, but her first attempt was blocked. Without giving up, Kuikka collected the rebound and passed again to Swanson, who headed toward the goal. Houston’s defense was on alert, thwarting Swanson’s first attempt, but the forward did not give up.

Towards the end of the game, Houston tried a quick play, passing the ball through Chicago’s defensive line. This led to a frantic race between their forward and Alyssa Naeher, the Red Stars’ goalkeeper. The Houston forward got ahead of Naeher, but the goalkeeper, with a heroic save, got her glove on the ball, clearing the danger and securing the victory for Chicago.

Swanson, who now has seven goals this season, continues to be a pillar of the Red Stars’ consistency. Her ability to score in crucial moments and her constant presence in attack are invaluable. She is tied with Jen Hoy for the record of four consecutive games with a goal, and all eyes are on her to see if she can break Sam Kerr’s record of scoring in six consecutive games.

The Chicago Red Stars are well-positioned to make a big impact in the playoffs. With Swanson healthy, she could reach new heights and keep the team in the NWSL playoff zone.