WPS Chicago Stars FC

Chicago Red Stars Announce Official 2010 WPS Roster

April 1, 2010 - Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
Chicago Stars FC News Release


BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The Chicago Red Stars of Women's Professional Soccer announce their 18-player first team roster, which also consists of four developmental players.

Entering the 2010 WPS season, of the team's 22 players, nine saw playing time during the Red Stars' 2009 campaign. Leading the returning group is Brazilian forward Cristiane, who scored a team-high seven goals and posted the only hat trick in WPS history last year. Center defensive back Kate Markgraf, who missed last season while on maternity leave, will make her long-awaited Red Stars debut this year.

The Red Stars return all three of their 2009 WPS All-Stars -- Cristiane, midfielder Megan Rapinoe and midfielder Brittany Klein.

Of the team's international flavor, England native and midfielder Katie Chapman joins fellow England National Team teammate and returning Red Stars midfielder Karen Carney. Brazilian native and midfielder Formiga reunites with fellow Brazil National Team teammate Cristiane. Scotland native Ifeoma Dieke returns to the Red Stars' defense. And Sweden native and forward Kosovare Asllani joins Chicago's front-line attack.

Locally, the Red Stars have two Illinois natives on the first team roster in forward Ella Masar of Urbana, Ill., and offseason signing and midfielder Julianne Sitch of Oswego, Ill. Representing Chicago's western suburbs on the Red Stars' developmental roster are Naperville, Ill., native Michele Weissenhofer and Geneva, Ill., native Jackie Santacaterina.

The Red Stars open their 2010 WPS season on Sunday, April 11, when they travel to Piscataway, N.J., to face the defending WPS champion Sky Blue FC. The match starts at 5 p.m. CT and will be televised on Fox Soccer Channel.

Chicago's home opener takes place at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 17, when the Red Stars host Saint Louis Athletica at Toyota Park in Bridgeview.

2010 CHICAGO RED STARS FIRST TEAM ROSTER

No., Player, Position, Date of Birth (Age), Hometown; Last Club/College

1. Jillian Loyden, GK, 6/25/85 (24), Vineland, N.J.; Saint Louis Athletica / Villanova University

2. Marian Dalmy, D, 11/25/84 (25), Lakewood, Colo.; -- / Santa Clara University

3. Ella Masar, F, 4/3/86 (23), Urbana, Ill.; Washington Freedom (W-League) / Univ. of Illinois

4. Ifeoma Dieke, D, 2/25/81 (29), Glasgow, Scotland; Kristianstad DFF / Florida International Univ.

6. Brittany Klein, M, 10/29/86 (23), Arcadia, Calif.; Pali Blues / Santa Clara University

7. Megan Rapinoe, M, 7/5/85 (24), Redding, Calif.; -- / University of Portland

8. Formiga, M, 3/3/78 (32), Sao Paulo, Brazil; FC Gold Pride / --

9. Whitney Engen, D, 11/27/87 (22), Rolling Hills Estates, Calif.; -- / University of North Carolina

10. Kosovare Asllani, F, 7/29/89 (20), Kristianstad, Sweden; Linkopings FC / --

11. Cristiane, F, 5/15/85 (24), Osasco, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Santos FC / --

13. Natalie Spilger, D, 5/19/82 (27), El Cajon, Calif.; Balinge IF Uppsala / Stanford University

14. Karen Carney, M, 8/1/87 (22), Birmingham, England; Arsenal / --

15. Kate Markgraf, D, 8/23/76 (33), Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; KIF Orebro / University of Notre Dame

17. Katie Chapman, M, 6/15/82 (27), London, England; Arsenal / --

18. Kelsey Davis, GK, 5/14/87 (22), Thousand Oaks, Calif.; -- / University of Portland

22. Jessica McDonald, F, 2/28/88 (22), Glendale, Ariz.; -- / University of North Carolina

27. Casey Nogueira, F, 2/23/89 (21), Raleigh, N.C.; -- / University of North Carolina

38. Julianne Sitch, M, 9/18/83 (26), Oswego, Ill.; Sky Blue FC / DePaul University

CHICAGO RED STARS DEVELOPMENTAL ROSTER

No., Player, Position, Date of Birth (Age), Hometown; Last Club/College

19. Michele Weissenhofer, F, 8/18/87 (22), Naperville, Ill.; -- / University of Notre Dame

21. Lydia Vandenbergh, D, 1/2/84 (26), Pisgah Forest, N.C.; -- / Clemson University

23. Meghann Burke, GK, 10/11/80 (29), Saint Louis, Mo.; Boston Renegades / Saint Louis Univ.

25. Jackie Santacaterina, M, 12/29/87 (22), Geneva, Ill.; -- / University of Illinois

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