Ivonne Chacón and Micayla Johnson’s first NWSL goals helped Chicago overcame a late two-goal deficit
Chicago Stars FC were so close to pulling off the victory of the Utah Royals after nullifying a two-goal deficit after the 80th minute, but had to settle for a 2-2 draw at SeatGeek Stadium after they weren’t awarded what appeared to be a clear penalty in second-half stoppage time.
Chicago Stars FC overcame a brace from Utah’s Mina Tanaka after halftime through goals from Ivonne Chacón and 17-year-old Micayla Johnson, which was the first in the NWSL for each of Chicago’s goal scorers.
Chicago Stars’ third win of the 2025 season continued to evade them, but they were able to salvage a result after their substitutes came up big in Bridgeview.
Chicago had a handful of chances before halftime, but the two best came for Ally Schlegel, though she was not able to find the back of Utah’s net. Ludmila also created a great chance for Nádia Gomes, but the Portuguese winger wasn’t able to hit the target with her left-footed effort.
The match turned on its head after halftime, and it was Utah who struck first with two blows.
Utah’s Paige Monaghan pressured Chicago’s Taylor Malham into a poor pass from her own penalty area that was intercepted by Mina Tanaka 25 yards from goal. Tanaka took a couple of touches before hitting a shot into the far corner of the net, putting her side up 1-0 in the 59th minute.
It went from bad to worse for the hosts in the 64th minute when referee Jaclyn Metz awarded Utah a penalty kick after Nuria Rábano’s cross hit the arm of Camryn Biegalski just inside Chicago’s penalty, which Tanaka promptly scored from 12 yards to extend her side’s lead to 2-0.
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Chicago’s substitutes were the difference in the contest, and Jameese Joseph, who entered the match in the 66th minute, nearly scored in the 79th minute after winning the ball back herself, but her shot rang off the crossbar to momentarily keep the Stars off the scoresheet.
The Chicago Stars finally got on the scoresheet in the 83rd minute.
Manaka Hayashi had the ball on the right wing and hit a cross that was initially dummied by Kathrin Hendrich before Micayla Johnson deflected it to Ivonne Chacón on the left, who scored from close range to make it 2-1 on her first goal since signing with Chicago in the summer.
Johnson continued to be at the center of Chicago’s attack when they tied the match in the 86th minute. Julia Grosso won the ball back and immediately found Johnson, who took a moment before slotting her shot in at the near post to tie the match at two with her first professional goal.
It appeared as though Chicago would be getting a penalty kick of their own in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time when Ally Schlegel was clumsily taken down in Utah’s penalty area, but the referee was having none of it, and the match finished tied at two.
Starting 11: Alyssa Naeher (GK & C), Camryn Biegalski, Kathrin Hendrich, Sam Staab, Taylor Malham, Bea Franklin, Maitane, Julia Grosso, Nádia Gomes, Ally Schlegel, and Ludmila
Substitution at 66’: Jameese Joseph on for Nádia Gomes
Substitution at 79’: Micayla Johnson, Ivonne Chacón, and Manaka Hayashi on for Bea Franklin, Ludmila, and Maitane
Substitution at 90+2’: Leilanni Nesbeth on for Julia Grosso
Unused Subs: Mackenzie Wood (GK), Hannah Anderson, Sam Angel, and Meg Boade
Attendance: 3,710
What’s On Tap Next?
Chicago Stars FC will travel to take on Racing Louisville on October 10. The match is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on NWSL+
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source ontapsportsnet.com ’
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