CHICAGO — The Chicago Red Stars hosted Bay FC at MLB’s historic Wrigley Field on Saturday night in front of a record-setting crowd of 35,038. The Northern California side left with the victory and all three points after a 2-1 win under the bright lights of the iconic friendly confines, but Chicago and the Bay each left that night as record-breakers. Each team achieved a bit of individual history as well alongside a successful NWSL event.
Bay FC midfielder Kiki Pickett opened the scoring with her first-ever NWSL goal, and Joelle Anderson netted the game-winner for the expansion side. Chicago Red Stars forward Penelope Hocking delivered the consolation goal for Chicago, a strike that was received with excitement from the hometown crowd and met with fireworks and roars.
A night of history
The league is no stranger to playing in baseball venues, but previous attempts were in semi-pro or minor league facilities. A forgettable night in 2016 between Seattle Reign FC and now folded club Western New York Flash left bad memories and a “never again” mentality after a subpar pitch, Frontier Field, and injury to then Reign goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer left the league with black-eye of negative headlines.
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