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Soccer

Soccer roundup: Chicago Fire loss puts a dent in playoff hopes, while Red Stars are eliminated from postseason contention

By Associated Press staff
Associated Press
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Chicago Fire coach Frank Klopas looks to the field before the team's match against Inter Miami on Wednesday at Soldier Field.

Chicago Fire coach Frank Klopas looks to the field before the team's match against Inter Miami on Wednesday at Soldier Field. (Nam Y. Huh/AP)

Ashley Westwood scored the only goal Kristijan Kahlina would need in the first half and Charlotte FC defeated Chicago 2-0 on Saturday night at Soldier Field, keeping its slim playoff hopes alive while preventing the Fire from clinching a postseason berth.

Westwood found the net for a third time this season, scoring unassisted in the 23rd minute to give Charlotte (9-11-12) the lead for good. Kahlina finished with three saves to earn his fifth clean sheet of the season. Karol Swiderski added an insurance goal on a penalty kick in the 58th minute, his 12th of the season. He became the first Charlotte player to score in three straight league matches.

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Chris Brady turned away three shots for the Fire (10-13-10), who fell out of the No. 8 and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with one match to go.

Charlotte returns to action on Oct. 18 at Inter Miami. The Fire travel to play New York City FC on Oct. 21.

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NWSL: Kansas City Current 6, Chicago Red Stars 3

Debinha scored early in the second half and the Current had a club-record six goals against the Red Stars, who were eliminated from playoff contention with the loss.

A record crowd of 15,671 was on hand at Children’s Mercy Park for the Current’s final regular-season match at home. Kansas City (8-12-1) was already eliminated from the playoffs.

Izzy Rodriguez got Kansas City on the board first in the 14th minute, doing a give-and-go with Debinha and shooting into the right corner.

The Red Stars (7-11-3) responded five minutes later when Kayla Sharples pounced on a loose ball in the box following a corner kick.

LaBonta put the Current up in the 22nd minute off a flick from Alexa Spaanstra, who scored in 44th to push the lead to 3-1.

Just before halftime, Current goalkeeper Adrianna Franch received a back pass from her defender, which slid under her foot for an own goal to get the Red Stars within 3-2.

Debinha scored in the 52nd, but the Red Stars closed within a goal when Bianca St-Georges scored in the 63rd.

Cece Kizer and Mimmi Larsson both scored in stoppage time to put it away.

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