The last few days have been pretty busy for the Chicago Red Stars, which makes up for the feeling of slowness during the off-season. Here's a brief rundown of what's happened:
Cristiane in, Jönsson out: The Brazilian sensation is back for another season with the Red Stars. I was a bit nervous with her being loaned out during the offseason, but I'm glad she's back. The downside is that starting goalkeeper Caroline Jönsson was released from her contract. Her keeping got mixed reviews, but I felt she did a good enough job to keep the Red Stars in games and was the bright spot in a shaky defense.
Tarpley Traded: Olympic gold medalist/All-Everything Lindsay Tarpley was traded to downstate rivals St. Louis Athletica for their reserve goalkeeper, Jillian Loyden. Loyden had the unenviable job (for multiple reasons) of playing second string to Hope Solo. Hopefully this will work out well for the Red Stars.
Along with all of the off-season activity, it seems that the Red Stars are going "young and fast." This should match with Coach Emma Hayes' preferred style of attacking.
Today was the WPS 2010 draft, and while I cleverly pretended that I was working at my desk, I followed the draft on Twitter. I admittedly didn't know anyone other than the big names in women's college soccer, so it was fun to Google them after they were drafted, and learn more about them.
The Red Stars' first round pick (4th overall) was Whitney Engen from University of North Carolina. She was the first defender of the draft, and is helping shore up the defense. It will be interesting to see what she can bring to the Red Stars.
WPS 2010 Draft Roundup
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Keeping in the Tar Heels family, the second round pick (15th overall) was Jessica McDonald, a U23 player who led UNC in assists last year. McDonald's also a tall one - at 6', she should be able to physically outplay opposing defenders. She'll be someone to watch during the season.
Kelsey Davis from the University of Portland will be joining the Red Stars. Davis was the goalkeeper for a Portland team with fellow Red Star Megan Rapinoe. Davis sounds like an amazing person even without soccer - she's been a long time volunteer for Ronald McDonald House. As a fan, you want to see good people on your team and it seems that between Davis and Natalie Spilger, the Red Stars have the team of charity-minded individuals. Awesome.
At the 33rd overall pick, Naperville native and Notre Dame grad Michele Weissenhofer adds another attacking forward in the mix. She's also got a reputation for being "tough" and "feisty", which means I'll enjoy watching her knock over people.
Nicole Hack did a great job at featuring Sophie Reiser, the 42nd overall pick from Columbia, a few weeks ago. Reiser's versatility should find her a home on the team, playing both forward and midfield.
Keeping with Chicago's tradition of everything Irish, the 51st overall pick was Fiona O'Sullivan from USF. O'Sullivan is joining fellow Irish Women's National Team member Mary Therese McDonnell on the Red Stars.
Jackie Santacaterina joins Ella Masar as fellow Fighting Illini on the Red Stars squad. Santacaterina adds another tall body in the midfield and is a Geneva native, so the 60th overall pick will be enjoying lots of hometown love when she steps on the field at Toyota Park.
Overall - I think the Red Stars addressed some glaring issues in the draft. The team needed defensive help and another forward to replace Tarpley. It's pretty aggressive, and I'm anxious to see how well this works out.
At the 33rd overall pick, Naperville native and Notre Dame grad Michele Weissenhofer adds another attacking forward in the mix. She's also got a reputation for being "tough" and "feisty", which means I'll enjoy watching her knock over people.
Nicole Hack did a great job at featuring Sophie Reiser, the 42nd overall pick from Columbia, a few weeks ago. Reiser's versatility should find her a home on the team, playing both forward and midfield.
Keeping with Chicago's tradition of everything Irish, the 51st overall pick was Fiona O'Sullivan from USF. O'Sullivan is joining fellow Irish Women's National Team member Mary Therese McDonnell on the Red Stars.
Jackie Santacaterina joins Ella Masar as fellow Fighting Illini on the Red Stars squad. Santacaterina adds another tall body in the midfield and is a Geneva native, so the 60th overall pick will be enjoying lots of hometown love when she steps on the field at Toyota Park.
Overall - I think the Red Stars addressed some glaring issues in the draft. The team needed defensive help and another forward to replace Tarpley. It's pretty aggressive, and I'm anxious to see how well this works out.
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