- Chicago Red Stars
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Chicago Red Stars Full name Chicago Red Stars Nickname(s) Red Stars Founded 2007 Stadium Benedictine University Sports Complex
Lisle, IL
(Capacity: 3,000)General manager Marcia McDermott Head coach Rory Dames League Women's Premier Soccer League 2011 WPSL playoffs, 2nd
Midwest Div. - North, 1stHome colorsAway colorsCurrent season
The Chicago Red Stars are a American professional soccer club that is based in the Chicago suburb of Lisle, Illinois that participates in the Women's Premier Soccer League. From 2009-2010, the Red Stars played their home games at Toyota Park in the Womens Professional Soccer. They reorganized and joined the Women's Premier Soccer League for the 2011 season.[1]
Marcia McDermott, a former head coach of the Northwestern University women's soccer team, was the Red Stars' general manager.
Contents
History
Planning and first season
The "Red Stars" name was announced on June 3, 2008, at a ceremony held at Toyota Park. The name refers to the four six-pointed, red stars on the municipal flag of Chicago. Each star represents a landmark event in Chicago history: Fort Dearborn, the Great Chicago Fire, the 1893 World’s Fair, and the 1933 World's Fair. Other names considered were Progress, Towers, Stinking Onions, Massacre, Union, Blues, Riot, 1871 and Wind. [1] The choice of Red Stars supported the popular vote of a two-month fan ballot.
The Chicago Red Stars won their first game of the season, 1-0, at Saint Louis Athletica, and followed with two ties (1-1 at Washington Freedom and 0-0 hosting Sky Blue FC) and a 4-0 thrashing of Boston Breakers at Toyota Park. This gave them the best starting record of any team in the league besides eventual season champions Los Angeles Sol (who had gone WWWD in their first four), seeming to live up to preseason expectations based on the strong core of USWNT and international players the Red Stars had. However, the Red Stars then went winless for their next nine games, only getting three away draws in that streak, which included a 451-minute long scoring drought. It looked like that streak would continue as, in their next game, their opponents the Freedom scored first, but then the Red Stars made WPS history by becoming the first team to successfully come from behind to win 2-1. They also beat cellar-dwellers FC Gold Pride in their next game 3-1, but then lost four of their last five games, eliminating them from the playoffs as they ended the season sixth of seven. Their one win, though, was a 3-1 home victory over the Sol.
Peter Wilt steps down
True to his agreement to help the Red Stars organization see the team through its first season, Peter Wilt chose to step down from his position leading the organization, moving on to manage the NISL team in his hometown, the Milwaukee Wave, with Marcia McDermott taking his place for the Red Stars.
Second Season
The Red Stars opened up their second season with high hopes and many new faces.[2] In their first game, the Red Stars came up short, losing 1-0 at Sky Blue FC despite dominating much of the game. A 1-1 home tie in their second game earned the Stars their first point of the 2010 season.
The team ceased operations due to being unable to meet WPS' funding requirements leading into the 2011 season on December 13, 2010. The team had hopes to return in 2012 if they are able to overcome their financial difficulties.[3]
Third season
The Red Stars ultimately joined the Women's Premier Soccer League for the 2011 season.[4][5] They played their home games at the Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex[6] in west suburban of Chicago.
The new roster consists players from the WNT U-20 and U-23 pools, and collegiate stars. The first announcement included mention of three players with WPS experience (two from the Red Star's 2010 squad)[7] The new Red Stars were coached by Eclipse Select Soccer Club's Director of Coaching and Player Development, Rory Dames[8] They also continued being active in the Chicago soccer community by continuing to hold camps.[9]
The Red Stars finished the regular season with a 10–1 record, and hosted the league semifinals and championship matches.[10] They beat Tampa Bay Hellenic 2-1 in their semifinal but lost by the same scoreline in the final to the Orange County Waves, another pro WPSL team that also has WPS connections.
Crest and colors
Adrenalin, Inc., The Brand Expansion Team, and jlmvisual partnered to develop the Red Stars identity. The primary logo combines two heraldic Chicago images: the shape of the shield is taken from the shield inside the city of Chicago’s official shield. The colors, stripes, and stars in the logo are all inspired by Chicago’s municipal flag. The blue stripes on the Red Stars logo represent the two branches of the Chicago River. The six points on the large red star in the center of the Chicago Red Stars logo also have their own meaning to the team:
- Entertainment (top point)
- Service (next point moving clockwise)
- Success
- Community
- Teamwork
- Leadership
"Sports organizations have long been ambassadors of their civic populations, particularly in Chicago, and even more so for an internationally appreciated sport like soccer," said JL Murtaugh, who created the original concept for the Red Stars logo then worked with Adrenalin to develop the final brand identity.
Stadium
Owned by the Village of Bridgeview and managed by Andell Sports Group, Toyota Park is a world-class soccer stadium and concert venue located at the corner of 71st and Harlem in Bridgeview, Illinois. Toyota Park has 20,000 dedicated seats for sporting events and over 28,000 permanent seats for concerts. The state-of-the-art venue also has 42 luxury suites, numerous hospitality areas, and a full-service Stadium Club. It is also home to the Chicago Fire. For 2011 season, the Red Stars will play their matches at the Benedictine University Sports Complex (a university stadium of 3,000 sieges ).[11][12] Playing at Benedictine University will be a major help to the viability of the team, which won’t have to deal with astronomical rent prices at Toyota Park.[13]
Supporters
Chicago supporters were the first in Women's Professional Soccer to organize a supporters group, Local 134. They chose the name to reflect Chicago's great union history as well as Toyota Park's section 134.[14]
Owners
The Chicago Professional Women's Soccer, LLC investor and partner group includes a cross section of the area's soccer and business leadership. [2]
Players and coaches
Current squad
As of 27 May 2011. Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
No. Position Player 1 GK Jamie Forbes 2 MF Carly Samp 3 MF Kara Kabellis 4 MF Bri Rodriguez 5 FW Amanda Cinalli 6 DF Julie Ewing 7 DF Elise Weber 8 DF Sammy Scofield 9 DF Megan Oyster 10 MF Shayla Mutz 11 FW Michele Weissenhofer No. Position Player 12 GK Taylor Vancil 14 DF Heather Marik 16 DF Kecia Morway 17 MF Katie Nasenbenny 18 MF Jackie Santacaterina 20 MF Vanessa DiBernardo 22 DF Leigh Jakes 23 DF Shannon McDonnell Head coaches
Emma Hayes (2009–2010)
/
Omid Namazi (2010)
Rory Dames (2011–present)
Former notable players
See also All-time Chicago Red Stars roster
Cristiane
Danesha Adams
Heather Garriock
Caroline Jönsson
Carli Lloyd
Frida Östberg
Megan Rapinoe
Lindsay Tarpley[15]
Lydia Williams
Jillian Loyden
Year-by-year
Year Division League Reg. Season Playoffs Games W D L PT GF GA GDIF 2009 1 WPS 6th, out of 7 DNQ 20 5 5 10 20 18 25 (-7) 2010 1 WPS 6th, out of 8* DNQ 24 7 6 11 27 21 27 (-6) 2011 2 WPSL 1st, Midwest - North[16] Final[17][18] 10 8 1 1 25 38 7 (31) *In 2010, only 7 teams finished the season.
Team Awards
Year Team MVP Golden Boot* Defender of the Year Winner Goals 2009 Cristiane
Cristiane
7 2010 Masar
8 2011 Cinalli
10 *Golden Boot is the team leader in goals (regular season games only).
WPS individual awards
- Natalie Spilger – WPS Sportswoman of the Year, 2010
See also
- Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
- Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
- Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL)
- Chicago Red Eleven (W-Leaque)
References
- ^ Red Stars are Back! Joining WPSL for 2011, http://www.wpsl.info/news/index.php/?cat=1&id=1225
- ^ McCarthy, Jack (2010-04-10). "Red Stars retool for 2nd season". Chicago Tribune. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-04-10/sports/ct-spt-0411-red-stars--20100410_1_red-stars-sky-blue-fc-jillian-loyden.
- ^ http://www.womensprosoccer.com/Home/news/press_releases/101213-chicago-miss-2011.aspx
- ^ The Equalizer, Red Stars to play in WPSL in 2011, http://www.equalizersoccer.com/2011/04/26/red-stars-to-play-in-wpsl-in-2011/
- ^ http://www.wpsl.info/team/index.php?tid=124
- ^ http://athletics.ben.edu/sports/2009/6/21/GEN_0621092628.aspx
- ^ http://www.wpsl.info/team/indexn.php?tid=124&id=1224
- ^ Rory Dames is a Chicago native and former standout at St-Viator High School in Arlington Heights, Illinois. He joined Eclipse in 1996 and has taken the club to national prominence. Soccer America named Eclipse the top girls soccer club in the nation in 2007 and 2008.
- ^ All White Kit, Chicago Red Stars Mark Return, Join WPSL For 2011, http://www.allwhitekit.com/?p=5813
- ^ Babcock, Patricia (July 29, 2011). "Red Stars fighting the good fight -- for free". The Daily Herald. http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110729/sports/707299758/.
- ^ http://www.redstarsgear.com/tickets2011.html
- ^ The Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex, http://athletics.ben.edu/sports/2009/6/21/GEN_0621092628.aspx
- ^ Equalizer Soccer, Red Stars to play in WPSL in 2011, http://www.equalizersoccer.com/2011/04/26/red-stars-to-play-in-wpsl-in-2011/
- ^ http://chicagolocal134.com/
- ^ "Chicago Red Stars Roster". http://www.ChicagoRedStars.com. http://www.womensprosoccer.com/Home/chicago/news/press_releases/100115-loyden-joins-crs.aspx. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
- ^ FOUR TEAMS SET FOR 2011 CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND, http://www.wpsl.info/news/index.php/?cat=1&id=1361
- ^ FALLING SHORT Waves topple Red Stars in OT, http://www.chicagolandsoccernews.com/teams/redstars2.php?article_id=9221
- ^ (en) ORANGE COUNTY WAVES 2, CHICAGO RED STARS 1, http://www.wpsl.info/news/index.php/?cat=1&id=1366
External links
Media related to Chicago Red Stars at Wikimedia Commons
- new website 2011
- Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL)
- Chicago Red Stars (old website)
- Women's Professional Soccer
- Illinois Women's Soccer League
- Local 134 Supporter Group
- Red Stars Official Gear
Soccer in the United States Overview United States Soccer Federation · League system · History · Hall of Fame · Clubs · Champions · Venues (stadiums by capacity, SSS)Men's national teams Outdoor leagues Indoor leagues Cup competitions Men's college soccer Women's national teams Women's leagues Women's college soccer Defunct Women's Professional Soccer Teams Defunct teams Chicago Red Stars (2009-2010) · FC Gold Pride (2009-2010) · Los Angeles Sol (2009) · Saint Louis Athletica (2009-2010) · Washington Freedom / magicJack (2009-2011)Miscellaneous Seasons 2009 · 2010 · 2011Women's Premier Soccer League seasons 1997 · 1998 · 1999 · 2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011Chicago Red Stars The Club Stadiums Culture Important Figures Key Personnel Owner: Chicago Professional Women's Soccer, LLCSeasons (2) 2009 · 2010Website: www.chicagoredstars.comCategories:- Chicago Red Stars
- United States women's soccer clubs
- Soccer clubs in Chicago, Illinois
- Illinois soccer clubs
- Women's Professional Soccer teams
- Women's Premier Soccer League
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