2010 Red Stars Archives

• Your Chicago Red Stars (2-5-3) play in Boston tonight, facing off against the Breakers (1-4-4).  The last time these two teams met on the pitch, the Red Stars defeated the Breakers with a score of 2-0.  This time around the Breakers will have former Red Star on their side in Lindsay Tarpley, who Boston acquired with the loss of St. Louis Athletica to the league. 

• The Red Stars were recently sighted at Chicago's Bull and Bear Bar in support of the USMNT's World Cup match on Wednesday (hello, victory!).  Marian Dalmy and Megan Rapinoe were sportin' their US Soccer jerseys, while a handful of players were there supporting England. I'm looking at you, Carney! And the rest of your English posse. 

• On Saturday the 19th Chicago fell to Atlanta with a score of 1-0.  A sad day for Chicago was a great day for Atlanta, as this was their first win in franchise history. 

New coach. New players. Fresh start.....well, as fresh as it's going to get. Here we are in June and the Chicago Red Stars have finally made a "right turn"! Under the direction of new coach, Omid Namazi, the Red Stars have gone 3 games undefeated. With 2 of the games being played at home, I would assume the majority of you were in attendence so i'll skip right to the 3rd. The team traveled out to DC to play the Washington Freedom.

Your starting XI were as follows: Loyden, Markgraf, Engen, Dalmy, Formiga, Spilger, Chapman, Carney, Cristiane, Rapinoe, Asllani. In the 11th minute we went down when the unstopable Abby Wambach's head met the ball and caught Loyden off her line. And only a few minutes later came the second goal when Bompastor took a free kick and Sawa was able to get a head on the ball. By no means was the Freedom goalie bored, we kept her busy, but a common trend for the Red Stars...we couldnt put a ball in the back of the net. And then in the 30th minute the Brazilian struck! Cristiane found the ball after Carney played a ball into the box. A sliding attempt gave the ball the push it needed to find the back of the net.

I missed the first few minutes of the Red Stars vs Atlanta Beat game yesterday because I was playing in my own game that didn't end until 4:30.  By the time I got into Toyota Park both teams had already made substitutions, and I didn't even realize it until I saw this photo on the WPS site today.

"I want to thank Emma for her hard work and assistance with the launch of the Red Stars franchise," Red Stars General Manager Marcia McDermott said. "This was a difficult decision to make because she poured her heart into the organization. We felt it was time for a change as we move forward and look to put together a successful run this season."

The Red Stars finally got the confidence boost they needed on Friday with a 5-0 win against the USL W-League's Red Eleven in Buffalo Grove. Julianne Sitch, Kosovare Asllani (+1 assist), Casey Nogueria, and Cristiane all scored goals for the Red Stars. Cristiane finished the game off for the Red Stars with two goals, one off of a PK and a goal that was assisted by Sophie Reiser. 

It's only a matter of time before this frown turns upside down. Red Stars battle the Independence this Saturday at Toyota Park, 6PM - don't miss the action! 

Date: Saturday, May 8th vs FC Gold Pride in Hayward, CA

• The Red Stars lost to FC Gold Pride 2-0 on Saturday
• Ifeoma Dieke was red carded in the 25th minute
• Because of the red card, Emma Hayes had to make an early defensive substitution, which allowed Natalie Spilger to see the field for the first time this season
• Jill Loyden saved her first PK of the year - 7 saves total in the match
• Tiffeny Milbrett (FCGP) scored just before the half in the 45th minute of the game
• Kelley O'Hara (FCGP) scored in the 78th minute and was assisted by Kimberly Yorkers
• The Red Stars are now 1-3-1 and FC Gold Pride is 4-1-0

Casey Nogueira and Cristiane scored second half goals for the Red Stars to clinch their first win of the 2010 season against the Boston Breakers.

We here at Red Stars Confidential would like to present you with our first ever Lady of the Match (player of the game).  Even though the Red Stars game ended in a devastating 1-0 loss against Sky Blue FC yesterday, we still want to award one player with a huge high five for her extraordinary efforts.

The Chicago Red Stars ended in a 1-1 tie for their home opener this past saturday night. An amazing 5,134 fans showed up to support the team as they took on Saint Louis Athletica. Casey Nogueira netted the only goal to tie the game in the 59th minute of play. The Red Stars dominated in the amount of shots they took but couldn't seem to find the back of the net. It took a rookie to step on the field to get it done! Props to Casey!

Casey Nogueira (Photo Credit - James Smith)

Alright enough of the chit chat, lets get to the good stuff.....

I had the privilege of sitting with the L134 for the majority of the first half,until I was pulled down to the field to do my interview with Coach Hayes, but we will get to that later. If you have never sat with this group before I suggest doing so in the near future! A very entergetic and wild group we have sitting over there! Definitely the life of the party!

This just in via @Kibby56: Emma Hayes fined $300 & given 4hrs of community service for comments (public criticism of game officials) made on April 11 2010 (via #wps)

I was really hoping to watch a victorious Chicago soccer match on Sunday, especially after being on hand to witness the Fire lose their first ever home opener at Toyota Park the night before. Not only was I looking forward to a Red Stars win because I needed my soccer spirits to be lifted after the Fire's disappointing results, but also to prove all the Red Stars haters wrong. Last week I read countless reviews on just how awful everyone seems to think the Red Stars will be this year, and it got old quick.

It turns out that the Fire weren't the only pro soccer team in Chicago to end their weekend in a disappoint, as the Red Stars lost to Sky Blue FC 1-0 with an early goal in the 6th minute from Natasha Kai.

I may be biased, but I'm really excited for the changes that Emma Hayes has made to the roster this season. Sure, we lost USWNT players, Carli Lloyd and Lindsay Tarpley. We lost a standout goalie from Sweden in Caroline Jonsson. We're all unhappy about these loses. (Well, I am mostly sad for the loss of Jonsson, but countless others are heartbroken over USWNT heroes, Lloyd and Tarpley.) But overall, I'm genuinely excited to see what our new Red Stars' players will produce this year - maybe it is the lack of familiarity that has me on the edge of my seat, maybe it's the energy I've seen in Hayes when she talks about new additions to the team such as: Kosovare Asllani, Katie Chapman, Whitney Engen, Jessica McDonald, and countless others, or maybe I'm just genuinely looking forward to a fresh start, a new season.

Oh the anticipation!

Sadly, the first game has come and gone. The Red Stars fought until the final minutes of game that I thought they clearly should have one. In my eyes, they dominated the majority of the game. Of course, not without a challenge, Sky Blue FC is a force to be reckoned with, there is no question in that. But the RS did everything they were supposed to, except... put the ball in the goal, even after collectively taking 20 shots (4 on goal) against Sky Blue.

Game Highlights:

Other thoughts on the game:

The Red Stars take on Sky Blue FC this Sunday out in New Jersey. Why not come out and see the inaugural game with the Red Stars Staff, select players and your friends at Team RS Confidential?

Where: The Globe Pub, 1934 W. Irving Park Rd.
When: Party starts at 4pm, Kickoff's at 5pm.

Come out, have some food and drinks and let's cheer on our hometown women in their first game of the year.

On Wednesday the Red Stars played two 45 minute preseason games.  The first match was played against Northwestern, followed by a 45 minute game again the DePaul Blue Demons. 

Katie Q and I caught the matches at the Wildcats' lakeside field in Evanston.  The weather was gorgeous, and we were excited to be enjoying some quality local soccer.  Check out a recap of the game below, including some random observations of mine. And stay tuned to hear what Katie Q thought of the game with an entry that will be coming soon, as well as a recap of the Red Stars vs DePaul game.

Red Stars starting 11:

Masar - Cristiane

Vandenbergh - Santacaterina - Klein - Sitch

Weissenhofer - Markgraf - Spilger - Dalmy

Burke

Brittany Klein sporting the captain's arm band for the 45 minute preseason friendly against Northwestern. 

It takes us a few minutes to get our bearings, as we settle in our seats near the Red Stars' right winger - 

who is that?

that's Rapinoe...

is that Rapinoe? 

No, that's not Rapinoe. 

Who the hell is that?

Whoa, it's Julianne - she cut her hair!

Oh yeah, that makes sense, Rapinoe is with the national team today. 

Julianne Sitch (formerly of Sky Blue FC)

Okay, back to the ongoing game... (keep in mind that clocks at college games count from 45 minutes down to zero. Oy, confusing!)

33' - Sitch crosses from the right to Klein who misses low 

31' - Markgraf still composed as ever, not to mention as fit as ever - making a speedy run down the left wing

30' - Good movement from Sitch

27' - Sitch passes a through ball to Masar - NW keeper slides out for the save

26' - Cross in from Cristiane, Masar unable to capitalize

23' - Good distribution from Klein

15' - Dalmy passes to Cristiane from the back - beautiful turn from Cristiane, who slides it through to Masar, who is able to put this one in the net. GOAL!

Ella Masar scored both goals against Northwestern in the Red Stars 2-0 win.

Tonight the Chicago Red Stars play the Washington Freedom as part of their preseason games. If you didnt know the team is in FL, but the weather is just as gloomy down there as it is here in Chi. Ella (@emasar3) tweeted earlier saying...

"People start praying now for this rain to stop, driving to Vero Beach to try and play DC! "

Coach Hayes (@emmahayes1) released the lineup via twitter not to long ago.

It will look something like this...

Loydon

Dalmy  Markgraf  Engen  Spilger   

Klein  Reiser  Sitch  Weissenhoffer

Cristiane  Masar

 

Assuming they play a 4-4-2

Wishing the team best of luck!! and hoping the rain stops!!

For all of you who use Twitter........

Megan Rapinoe (@mpinoe)  and Brittany Klein (@britklein) are now tweeting!

Hi guys, it's been a while, but i haven't forgotten y'all! I've faced some rough times as of late, and I hope to express them in more detail here at Red Stars Confidential in the future.  Until then, check out these amazing goals from the Algarve Cup. Plus highlights from the final, which the USWNT won last week against Germany (final score: 3-2). Congrats, ladies!

Algarve Cup Videos

• The goals from the 2010 Algarve Cup
• Algarve Cup Final 2010 - Germany V USA       
  

Megan Rapinoe was Chicago's representative with the USWNT in the 2009 Algarve Cup. The US women ended up losing to Sweden in the final 3-4 in penalties. [Photo Credit: http://olympic-spirit.blogspot.com]

Friends of the Stars

• WPS international shine at Algarve Cup - Internationals shine including the Red Stars' Kosovare Asllani. [The Equalizer] 

• Red Stars Loyden, Nogueira Named to U.S. WNT For Algarve Cup - [Our Sports Central]

 

SUNDAY, SUNDAY, SUNDAY!...and some Fridays, Saturdays and Wednesdays too.

Your Chicago Red Stars have announced the 2010 Schedule!  Yes!

The league domination (think happy thoughts kiddies) starts Sunday, April 11th against Sky Blue FC in New Jersey.  This is going to be a ramped-up launch to the new season so catch the game on Fox Soccer Channel.  I vote calling your local watering hole to see if they are carrying the game...Small Bar, The Globe, your crazy neighbor Pavel with cable.

The home opener is the following weekend, Saturday, April 17 vs. Saint Louis Athletica @ 7 p.m.  Could be a chilly one but that's what tailgating and some pre-game footie are for.  Check out Local 134 for fan activities. 

Get excited, it's going to be a great season!  

Red Stars Confidential got the privilege of being able to interview star Forward Ella Masar. Since professional soccer players get soccer questions all the time, we figured that we should have some fun with Ella.


NH:        The Red Stars have undergone a big transformation in the off-season. How do you feel coming back to what seems like a brand new team?
EM:        I am extremely excited. Anytime you have a disappointing season, as we did last year, we know changes need to be made. I have no doubt that the choices the Red Stars made in the off season will make us a better team and a top contender in the league.

NH:        What's it going to be like with Kate Markgraf back? (after missing the 2009 season due to the birth of twins)
EM:        Kate Markgraf is a name that speaks for itself. She is not only a veteran of one of the best team's in our countries history but even more an amazing person. She is someone that will bring experience, heart, and pride to the Chicago name. I am truly flabbergasted to be able to call her my teammate.

Ella Masar is the Chuck Norris of the Red Stars.

NH:        Which would you rather play for? The 2011 World Cup team or the 2012 Olympic team? (my hope is both)
EM:        haha that's like choosing between chocolate and long walks on the beach, not possible!  To be able to have your name on the back of the US jersey is a dream within itself. The hours of sacrifice, hard work, and dedication are something many people can't fathom (not even myself at times). Just to have that honor would be worth more than a Gold Medal and World Cup, those are just extra bonuses.

NH:        WPS puts a lot of effort into social networking: Facebook, Twitter, etc - do you think this helps bridge the gap between fan and athlete?
EM:        I definitely think that it helps. It's a way that the fans can interact with us and take a small step into our lives. Hopefully it can show the joy and love we have for them, as well as how much their respect and appreciation mean to us.

NH:        Who do you look up to professionally?
EM:        Lindsey Tarpley hands down. Humble and hungry is something that I strive to live by everyday and Linds is someone that upholds that to the highest regard. She is by far one of the most dedicated, humble, and hardest workers I know. She has allowed me to know and respect the journey of a national team and professional player that much more.

NH:        What's your pre-game play list on your iPod?
EM:        Hahaha, well in the past years it has been the Lil Wayne, Eminem, and any other rap music that gets my heart beating and blood a pumping. Yet this year, after taking a liking to movie soundtracks, I can't help and put on songs that are from an inspiring or dramatic scene. For instance the song "Promontory" from Last of the Mohicans or "Prime" from Transformers are two of my favs. If those don't make you feel like you can run climb the highest mountain, I'm not sure what else can :p

NH:        I looked at the Chicago Red Stars website and saw that you also do double duty as answering the phones for the Red Stars. Shouldn't Coach Hayes have you practicing instead of taking ticket orders?

EM:        lol, What can I say, being a professional comes with all sides of the spectrum. Anything that will allow me to be closer with the fans and help build our supporter base is something I can't turn down. 

If you have not heard, the word on the street was true, The LA Sol has fallen off the face of the earth. This leaves the best women's soccer league in the world one team short. Right now, I am not one to complain because if this didn't happen I'd still be bitter over not getting Casey Nogueira in the draft. I will not badger Los Angeles for sucking and having terrible sponsors that didn't have faith, but whatever, it was a mean trick someone played on me and its like I got my birthday cake a couple weeks late. Thanks for sharing...........

On Thursday, February 4th the Red Stars drafted Casey Nogueira in the LA Sol - Dispersal Draft.  She will add even more depth to the Stars already talented offensive line. 

Check out this video as she battles Tobin Heath (first overall 2010 WPS draft pick for the Atlanta Beat) while showing off some of their very impressive juggling skills here. And if that footwork wasn't enough to get you excited about this new addition to the Red Stars' roster, take a look at Nogueira's supreme dance moves below with former UNC teammate, Nikki Washington.

The Red Stars have been busy in the offseason and if you haven't been paying attention, a lot has happened. It makes me feel good about the 2010 season, and like any fan, you want to forget about what happened in 2009 and move forward.

1) The Red Stars picked up Katie Champan from the English National Team/Arsenal Lady Gunners to fill the gap in the midfield caused by the departure of US Olympian Cari Lloyd. I'm excited, and so should you. Coach Emma Hayes is slowing bringing over more players to her style of offense and her playing style.

Speaking of Carli Lloyd, she joined Sky Blue FC and moved home to Jersey, where hopefully she'll continue her WPS playing style of being immobile, lackluster and bored in the midfield. She's also be closer to try out for next year's cast of "Jersey Shore." Honestly, I feel she was a great disappointment. Is it wrong to expect that if you're an Olympian, you should be leading by example and showing your team what it's like to win - or even play with pride?

2) Pining for 'Pinoe: Megan Rapinoe was a bright spot for the 2009 team, and as the season progressed she got stronger and fiercer. It seemed like she got more confident and proved that her surgically repaired knees were strong enough to take on any team. With the return of Brazilian star Cristiane in doubt and Lindsay Tarpley's injury recovery, she very well could be the key to a strong start this year.

3) The Rise of Ella and Brittany: Ella Masar, the U of Illinois product and Brittany Klein - two of the bright spots of the 2009 team, both got called up to the US Women's National Team. I like them both - they're young, they're hard workers and play fearlessly, not to mention they're absolutely great people. As a fan, you want to see good people represent your home club.

Friends of the Red Stars

Red Stars look to regroup in 2010 - Red Stars GM Marcia McDermott reflects back on the ups and downs of the Red Stars inaugural season in an interview with Soccer Hype blogger Giovanni Albanese Jr.  She also expresses hopefulness for the 2010 team with players like Katie Chapman and Kate Markgraf, who will likely join the starting eleven. [Soccer Hype]

Lindsay Tarpley

WPS Chicago Red Stars' Tarpley Is Female Soccer Player of the Decade -  Lindsday Tarpley and Heather O'Reilly were finalists for the Girl Soccer Player of the Year award from ESPN Rise.  Tarpley edged out O'Reilly not only because of her commitment and hard work on the field but because of her dedication to the game off the field. During her junior and senior seasons, she served three-game suspensions for violating a state association out-of-school participation rule while playing for the U.S. youth national team. She petitioned the state, which ultimately changed its stance on the issue for her and future players in her state. [Bleacher Report]

No down time for the Red Eleven: Team busy during offseason preparing for second summer at Benedictine - The Red Eleven, who are a part of the developemental W-league, hope to improve in the 2010 season after a disappointing loss in first round of the playoffs this year (the Red Eleven were 10-2-1 in 2009).  They've already scored a new head coach David Nikolic and a new assistant coach Greg Muhr. [Naperville Sun] 

Chicago Red Stars Home Opener- Saturday, April 17. 

Friends of the Red Stars

Yesterday the Chicago Red Stars announced the signing of England's Katie Chapman to their 2010 roster.  Today rumors have started to spread about another international player signing that could be in the works for the Red Stars with Sweden's Kosovare Asllani. 

The Chicago Red Stars have signed Arsenal and England National Team midfielder Katie Chapman to their roster for the upcoming 2010 season.  Chapman will bring leadership to the squad, as she has accumulated 73 international caps since joining the team in 2000.  Read more about Chapman's signing with the Stars here. 

The Chicago Red Stars announced Monday that they are picking up the 2010 contract options for nine players for the organization's second Women's Professional Soccer season.

This returning Red Stars group includes defender Marian Dalmy, defender Ifeoma Dieke, midfielder Chioma Igwe, goalkeeper Caroline Jonsson, midfielder Brittany Klein, forward Ella Masar, defender Jill Oakes, midfielder Megan Rapinoe and defender Natalie Spilger. Per team policy, terms of their contracts are not released.

Midfielder Karen Carney, defender Kate Markgraf and midfielder Lindsay Tarpley also are under contract with the Red Stars for the 2010 season.

Chicago returns more than half of last season's squad, including Klein and Rapinoe who were voted to the first-ever WPS All-Star Game, and Jonsson who established WPS records with the most saves in a game (13) and a season (89).  (Red Stars Exercise 2010 Options for Nine Players :: Chicago Red Stars - WPS)

I wonder what's in store for the rest of the Stars.  Cristiane? Carli Lloyd?  Will we see either of these ladies on the field for the Red Stars next season?  

As for the returning Stars- welcome back, we're glad to have ya!