Chicago Red Stars lose 3-1 on the road to the North Carolina Courage despite scoring first

After going down early in the first half, the North Carolina Courage responded with three goals to win 3-1 over the visiting Chicago Red Stars at WakeMed Soccer Park.

The Courage (6-7-1) extended their home unbeaten streak to 16 games, dating to last year.

The Red Stars (5-7-2) opened the scoring in the 12th minute. Mallory Swanson won the ball on a throw-in, dribbled toward the center, and unleashed a left-footed shot into the right corner from the top of the box.

Tyler Lussi equalized four minutes later. Brianna Pinto threaded a pass into the box for Lussi, who held off her defender and finished into the near-post corner.

Look up SAVE.
Find Alyssa Naeher in the dictionary. pic.twitter.com/uOxtIcn7uz

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 23, 2024

After Chicago goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher made two big saves to start the second half, the Courage were finally able to get around her in the 51st minute when Ashley Sanchez sent a one-touch shot from outside the box into the lower left corner.

Bianca St-Georges crossed to Meredith Speck in the 81st minute, who scored her first goal since returning from an ACL injury.