Toyota Park and Lindsay Tarpley

The Portage Soccer Club U18 Girls Elite team went to Toyota Park near Chicago to watch the US Women's National Team defeat Ireland 2-0 on September 20. Kalamazoo native and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Lindsay Tarpley spotted the girls behind the goal and graciously came over after the game to wish them well, while the PSC girls wished Lindsay a happy birthday (just days away) and congratulations on her second gold medal, and also for being selected by the Chicago Red Stars in the new Women's Professional League. Below are some photos (click on any image for a higher-resolution view).

Portage Loves Lindsay! U18 players with Lindsay Tarpley (#5) after the game Immediately behind the banner (left-right) Kallie Strazdas, Rachel Meyer, Andrea Jones, Jillian Karrick, Megan Hayes, Krista Clancy, Brianna Melgar, and Lindsay Tarpley. Back row (l-r): Natalie McClish, super-sister Sarah Melgar, Melissa Trebing, Mataya Lewis, Erika Jansen, and coach Blake Glass. Just off camera to the left are Laura Glass and Samantha Pace holding up the Portage end of the banner and the Happy Birthday Lindsay sign.

Team poses for photo requested by Chicago Red Stars while they cheer for Lindsay Tarpley and the USA WNT

U18 team photo before the WNT vs Ireland match gets underway

Megan Hayes, Sam Pace, and Krista Clancy as seen on the giant jumbotron

This group stuck around for one last photo before heading back to Naperville

Toyota Park, home of the Chicago Fire and Chicago Red Stars, is a wonderful venue for watching soccer