A 2-1 win for Chicago Red Stars over Seattle Reign was especially sweet for LeiLanni Nesbeth, who made her professional debut in front of her team’s own fans on Saturday.

The Bermuda international midfielder came off the bench at SeatGreek Stadium in the 79th minute as a replacement for goalscorer Julia Bianchi and helped her side preserve their slim advantage in their first home game of the season in the National Women’s Soccer League. The victory means Red Stars have maximum points and top the league on goal difference from Kansas City Current after two games.

Brazilian international midfielder Bianchi opened the scoring in the 42nd minute after getting on the end of forward Jenna Bike’s cross and lashing the ball into the roof of the net to earn Red Stars the lead at half time.

The visitors pressed on and were back on level terms when Korean international Ji So Yun gained possession at the top of the box and fired past Red Stars and United States goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher in the 63rd minute.

That was the first goal the Red Stars have conceded this season but Seattle’s joy was short-lived as German international defender Maximiliane Rall grabbed the winner five-minutes later when she buried United States midfielder Taylor Malham’s cross at the back post.

The Red Stars made the perfect start to the season courtesy of a 2-0 win over Utah Royals FC in their opening match the previous weekend with Nesbeth an unused substitute.

It is the first time the club has started a season with back-to-back wins.

Nesbeth, 22, was picked in the first round by Chicago Red Stars after they made a deal with North Carolina Courage at the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League Draft in Anaheim, California, in January.