Red Stars fall 3-1

Special to the Daily Herald

Penalty kicks would mark the difference between the Chicago Red Stars and Seattle Reign FC in their first meeting of the season as top-ranked and undefeated Seattle scored 2 and went on to defeat No. 2-ranked Chicago 3-1 in Seattle.

All goals were scored in the second half of play, starting with Emily Van Egmond in the 63rd, then 3 from Seattle including 2 penalty kicks by Kim Little sandwiched by a long-range blast from Sydney Leroux. Chicago dropped to fourth at 6-4-2, 19 points, while the Reign improved to 9-0-2, 29 points.

"I'm proud of the effort of the group," coach Rory Dames said. "We did what we wanted to do right up until we scored the first goal. We had the more dangerous chances in the first half and then after that first penalty call, it changed the whole game."

An exciting first half of action ended with the teams scoreless. The Red Stars had the better of the first part of the half, while Seattle picked up steam heading toward the half.