Chicago Red Stars play to a draw with Sky Blue FC

The Chicago Red Stars drew 1-1 with visiting Sky Blue FC on Wednesday afternoon in Lisle. Canadian international Adriana Leon gave the home side the lead and Australia star Samantha Kerr leveled the match before halftime.

The tightly contested affair saw the away team continue its current surge, as Sky Blue FC has been much improved since the return of its 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup players and previously defeated Houston Dash 2-0 on the road. Meanwhile, the Red Stars struggled to create clear-cut chances against a well-organized opposition squad.

The hosts created three consecutive close looks within a two-minute span early in the game. First, U.S. standout Christen Press' 11th-minute chip into the box from the left was met by the foot of the outstretched Leon, who was unable to redirect it on frame. Then midfielder Danielle Colaprico smashed a rocket off the crossbar from just outside the area, followed by an Arin Gilliland cross from the left flank that found Vanessa DiBernardo, whose header from the doorstep whizzed just over frame.

Chicago did grab the lead at the quarter-hour mark, Gilliland finding herself with the ball on the left side of the box and sliding a perfect ball to the unmarked Leon at the far post for a simple tap-in. Sky Blue FC nearly had an instant response, as Katy Freels put Nadia Nadim through on the left and the Red Stars backline was fortunate to see the Danish sniper's mishit attempt fly across the goal and wide.

Sky Blue FC bagged the equalizer out of nowhere in the 36th minute of play. Chicago and U.S. defender Julie Johnston lost the ball in midfield and Kerr blasted past one opposition player before finding a shooting lane between two more Red Stars players, her low drive from the top of the box leaving goalkeeper Michelle Dalton without a chance on its way inside the right post.