Bears Off to Good Start, Red Stars Lose Final Game of NWSL Fall Series

The GIST: Da Bears are 4–1 and are starting to look like a team that could go the distance. On the pitch, the Chicago Red Stars closed out the NWSL Fall Series with a tough loss but a hopeful outlook for next year’s season.

🏈Better every week: ICYMI, Da Bears took advantage of Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback (QB) Tom Brady’s huge mistake on Thursday, pulling out a 20–19 win on the foot of Bears kicker Cairo Santos. To keep the good times rolling, head coach Matt Nagy emphasized that the offense has to focus on improving the details. While QB Nick Foles completed 30 of 42 passes with one touchdown on Thursday, the Bears are counting on his continual improvement if he wants to keep the starting spot.

• By pulling off these early wins, the Bears have earned the freedom to get creative with their strategy and lineup without worrying about completely blowing any playoff chances. Moving forward, they have to utilize scorers like Allen Robinson II and Darnell Mooney and ramp up their running game with backs like David Montgomery.

⚽️Falling short: The Red Stars closed out the NWSL Fall Series on Saturday with a 1–4 loss to Sky Blue FC (FC stands for Football Club). Despite the loss, it was great to see defenders Casey Short and Tierna Davidson return to the pitch after recovering from injuries and defender Arin Wright return from maternity leave.

• After the game, Coach Rory Dames said he’s excited about the team’s depth and how many players he’s seen step up during this series. The Red Stars now enter the offseason until preseason begins in spring 2021. The countdown is on.