Red Stars have momentum, but they need some more offense

Red Stars coach Rory Dames has been preaching patience since the first week of the NWSL Challenge Cup.

The focus hasn’t been on winning the tournament, per se, but on this new-look team figuring out a way to win with fresh talent.

Despite their offensive struggles and the COVID-19 situation, the Red Stars credit a gritty identity as the reason they’re making their sixth consecutive semifinal appearance.

“It’s in our DNA to find a way to win,” midfielder Danielle Colaprico said. “Whatever the game calls for, we’re up for it. I think the coolest thing about playing for the Red Stars is that we don’t have one type of way of playing.”

Defensively, the Red Stars haven’t skipped a beat with a stout back line anchored by Julie Ertz, Casey Short and Sarah Gorden.

Heading into their semifinal Wednesday against Sky Blue, the Red Stars are still working to establish an attack that resembles last season’s offensive powerhouse.

Their two goals before the knockout stage were scored by Short and midfielder Morgan Gautrat. The Red Stars advanced on penalty kicks (4-3) after a scoreless draw in the quarterfinals against OL Reign.

It won’t be easy to score with Kailen Sheridan in goal for Sky Blue. Sheridan leads the tourney with 20 saves and three shutouts through five games.

“It’s very clear we need to score in the run of play,” forward Rachel Hill said. “We’ve been analyzing our attack and how we can go about doing that with different runs, decisive runs and playing balls forward. I think in the coming game, we’re going to do a good job with that and put some away.”

Gautrat will remain sidelined after injuring her right leg in the last game of the preliminary stage. Colaprico was listed as questionable, but she said she’s looking forward to the semifinal.

The Portland Thorns’ quarterfinal win against top-seeded NC Courage, the reigning NWSL champion, has left a wide-open path for the Red Stars to secure the title.

“We have so much momentum,” defender Bianca St. Georges said. “Our adrenaline has been going since the PKs. We have one goal in mind, and that’s to make it to the final and bring the championship back.’’