Chicago Red Stars defender and Orland Park, Illinois, native, Tatumn Milazzo, earned National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Deloitte Impact Save of the Week honors for the second consecutive week, the league announced today.
In the 59th minute of Chicago’s April 21 road match against Seattle Reign FC, a Reign corner kick was launched into the box, falling at the feet of rookie Seattle forward, Emeri Adames, stationed at the far right side. Red Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher moved down the right side of goal line to close off Adames’ angle, but Adames arced up a shot on her first touch, aiming to nestle the ball in the left side of the net. Tatumn Milazzo, covering the near post when the corner was taken, quickly read the ball and slid in front of the shot. After the ball took a bounce, Milazzo deflected the shot off the line. While the clearance was short and left the ball in a dangerous position, the reroute gave Naeher the time she needed to smother the ball and safely deliver the ball up the field.
Milazzo’s goal-line clearance kept Chicago’s 0-2 lead over Seattle for another 20 minutes, ensuring the Red Stars found themselves back in the win column at full time. While the Reign did make the final scoreline 1-2 with a goal in the 79th minute, Milazzo’s save meant the goal was not an equalizer, winning Chicago their second meeting of the season with Seattle. Milazzo’s second NWSL Impact Save of the Week award in just as many weeks comes on the heels of the defender’s first career NWSL Save of the Week honor. Coincidentally, Milazzo’s Week 4 Save of the Week win was for another goal-line clearance in the 32nd minute of Red Stars’ April 13 match against Angel City FC. Previous accolades for Milazzo include NWSL June Best XI honors in 2022 and 2022 NWSL Best XI Second Team honors.
Today’s NWSL Save of the Week award marks the third time in the five weeks of the 2024 NWSL season a Red Star has received the honor. Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher won the Week 1 award after her miraculous tip pushed the ball just above the crossbar during Chicago’s 2-0 road victory over the Utah Royals FC in the club’s season opener March 16.
Milazzo and the Red Stars return home April 27 to host a second Pacific Northwest club, Portland Thorns FC. The first 1,000 Red Stars fans to enter April 27 will receive an exclusive Red Stars bucket hat. Tickets can be purchased at chicagoredstars.com/tickets.
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