Milliet all day: Racing 1-Chicago 1
Marisa DiGrande, Bethany Balcer, and Emma Sears are all smiles as Balcer’s goal ties the match.
I was absolutely thrilled to see my favorite player and lifestyle coach Lauren Milliet back in the starting line-up, with her new collarbone, Clarence.* I was even more thrilleder to see how many opportunities Lo and Clarence were able to create on the night. Sadly, they all ended in disappointment, but I think the players were still adjusting to having balls served up for them on a silver platter. They weren’t ready for an easy goal. They’ll be ready next match.
Just as exciting as 90 minutes of Lo Milliet was watching Bethany Balcer get her groove back. She grooved the ball right into the back of the net in 2nd half stoppage time to tie the match, then astutely joined the ball there and brought it to mid-field. She had just a few seconds to celebrate as she escorted Clarice (the ball, and Clarence’s cousin) up the pitch and high-five her teammates before play restarted. Her conscientiousness was rewarded with a whopping 30 seconds added to stoppage time. Neither team could get anything going, so we all settle for a tie. (Shout-out to our friends Rick and Susan who joined us last night and have still never seen Racing win a match. Not because they are bad luck charms, but because okay maybe they are.)
*True story, see Lauren’s Instagram. I couldn’t make up anything that good, but I can build on it. (See Clarice.)
The team recognized Courtney Petersen’s 100th NWSL appearance and her brother and twin-mom joined her on the pitch.
Katie O’Kane is in disbelief and US Women’s National team keeper is literally floored as well. The first of many beautiful opportunities that gave Racing fans hope throughout the match.
Gonna tell my kids these are the KPop demon hunters (in process of catching a demon).
Sticking with tonight’s theme, “how is this not a goal?” So close but so far.
Beautiful opportunity #7 by Lo Milliet.
Bloomer pulls down the ball and a couple of heads.
Blooms gets a lot of help from her friends. Somehow this ball also manages to stay out of the net. So on-theme.
Kayla Fischer has a goal in sight. We could all see it. The Scoreboard guy had his finger on the 1, ready to add the goal. Kayla rounded the net like Bobby Witt Jr. (Yes, I had to google him - he’s a shortstop with the Royals. Nobody watches baseball anymore unless it features a guy in a cape and a magician). But instead of touching home plate, she tripped over the catcher who managed to tag her. (I do love a good baseball analogy though. And of course the Savannah Bananas.)
If you’re wondering how Clarence impacted Lo’s defensive abilities…he didn’t. And how dare you question Lo. She would never question you. Sweb and Lo are giving Night at the Roxbury as they take turns bumping around the Red Star.
Sarah Weber was getting down after her missed goal opportunities, so Katie O’Kane told her not to worry, that things were looking up.
Ella Hase goes in for header, questioning the ball and her unwillingness to find the net tonight. (Of course the ball is a her. She’s stubborn and finicky and beautiful when she wants to be.)
Katie O’Kane masterfully controls the ball while Ary Borges waits her turn. Why just kick the ball when you can do it with some flair?
Naeher does chin-ups on the goal as she admires her save of another Racing attempt. They’re getting a little closer each time.
Lo thinks a few mid-match push-ups may be just what they need to get some goals. Worth a try.
Chicago thinks maybe singing Y-M-C-A could do the trick. Always works to get people on the dance floor at weddings.
Is that a ball finally getting past Naeher? It is indeed! Now let’s just make sure no one was offside…
This may look like a brief celebration then disappointment because Sweb was offside on that goal, but actually the girls are working on the “Single Ladies” dance. (If you like it then you shoulda put a ring on it…)
Sonis prefers the days of Destiny’s Child. Say her name. It’s not Beckie anymore but she still has the good hair.
Lo setting up beautiful opportunity #32.
Emma Sears, fighting hard to get closer to the net.
Sweb getting the low-down from O’Kane: Why does autocorrect always change Sweb to sweet? Does autocorrect not know that Sweb’s part of the vocab now? I asked Google AI and it told me Sweb refers to Emma Sears and gave me a picture of Sarah Weber. I guess sometimes it’s more artificial than intelligence.
Sears stops by to say hello to her US Women’s National team buddy and tries to persuade her to kindly turn over the ball. Unfortunately, no deal.
When one moment can be special for two reasons, it calls for a Reese’s cup. I may have that wrong. Something about two things coming together? Anyway…to see Balcer look like the Balcer of ‘24 just in time to tie the match with Chicago brought a collective sigh of relief and happiness to Racing fans everywhere that we hope Bethany will experience for a long time.
Another two things coming together like sweet and sour. Happy Forward and Sour Keeper.
While I really wanted Bethany to have a moment or five to celebrate with her teammates, maybe climb into the stands and crowd surf a bit, she knew that she had to get the match restarted asap and give Racing another shot at a goal before stoppage time ran out. She had to settle for smiles and quick fist bumps but I’m sure the locker room saw lots of hugs.
Racing would not get another shot at the goal, but settle for one goal and one point to keep them in the Playoff trot.
Some other fun pics pre/during/post-match Gallery
