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WPS Chicago Stars FC

Chicago Red Stars Host Philly on Wednesday

August 31, 2010 - Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
Chicago Stars FC News Release


BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The Chicago Red Stars (5-11-6, 21 points) host the Philadelphia Independence (10-8-4, 34 points) at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Women's Professional Soccer action at Toyota Park. The match includes a webcast at www.ChicagoRedStars.com.

The Independence has thrived against Chicago this season, posting a 3-0-0 record against the Red Stars during its inaugural campaign. Philadelphia needs a draw or a victory, or a Sky Blue FC loss/draw against FC Gold Pride on Wednesday, to clinch a playoff spot.

The Red Stars officially were eliminated from postseason contention when the Washington Freedom defeated Sky Blue on Saturday. Chicago is looking to close its season strong with back-to-back home matches against Philadelphia and Washington on Sunday (match televised on Fox Soccer Channel).

"I'm expecting some of our best performances in these last two games," Red Stars Head Coach Omid Namazi said. "We are healthy -- as healthy as you can get -- we've got Kate Markgraf coming back, Veronica Boquete is now available, so we're as strong as we can be. We're going to go out and perform, get goals and hopefully win these last two games and give the fans something to cheer about."

The Red Stars are in the midst of a 1-6-1 stretch, as well as a three-game losing streak.

LOYDEN, SPILGER UP FOR 2010 WPS YEAR-END AWARDS

Red Stars goalkeeper Jillian Loyden is one of four players nominated for Coast Guard Goalkeeper of the Year, while defender Natalie Spilger is one of seven candidates for Citi Sportswoman of the Year. Loyden, FC Gold Pride's Nicole Barnhart, the Atlanta Beat's Hope Solo and Sky Blue FC's Karen Bardsley were nominated for the goalkeeping honor. Spilger's honor is determined entirely by WPS players and coaches. The 2010 WPS Awards voting is based on a vote of fans (33 percent), media (33 percent) and WPS players and coaches (33 percent). Voting for the awards run through 7 p.m. CT Monday, Sept. 6. Visit www.WomensProSoccer.com and click on the WPS Fan Corner page to cast your vote.

LOCAL TIES

Independence defender Nikki Krzysik and forward Danesha Adams played for the Red Stars during their opening season. The Independence selected Krzysik and Adams in the 2009 WPS Expansion Draft. In their 2010 campaigns with Philadelphia, Krzysik has started in 20 of her 21 matches, and Adams has a goal and two assists in 12 matches. ... Independence midfielder Jen Buczkowski is an Elk Grove Village, Ill., native and played collegiately at Notre Dame. Buczkowski played locally for the Chicago Gaels of the W-League from 2005-2008 before being selected by Sky Blue FC in the 2009 WPS Draft. This season, Buczkowski has started in 18 of 21 matches and has an assist. ... Red Stars goalkeeper Jillian Loyden played collegiately at Pennsylvania-based Villanova, where she was a three-time Big East Conference Goalkeeper of the Year.

BY THE NUMBERS

Philadelphia forward Amy Rodriguez ranks second in WPS with 12 goals and fourth in the league with six assists. ... Independence midfielder Lori Lindsey is third in WPS with seven assists and teammate Caroline Seger is tied for fifth with five assists. ... Red Stars forward Ella Masar is tied for sixth in WPS with eight goals. ... Chicago defender Marian Dalmy leads the squad with four assists. ... Red Stars goalkeeper Jillian Loyden carries the second-lowest goals allowed average at 1.24, and she is tied for second in WPS with five shutouts. ... Chicago's defense ranks second in the league with a goals allowed average of only 1.18. ... Philadelphia's offense ranks second in WPS with 1.64 goals per game, but the Red Stars' offense ranks last in the league with 0.77 goals per game. ... The Red Stars are 5-0-0 when scoring the first goal this season and 0-11-3 when their opponent scores first. Three Red Stars matches have resulted in scoreless draws.

LAST TIME OUT

The Red Stars are coming off a 3-2 loss against FC Gold Pride on Aug. 22 at Toyota Park. Gold Pride's Marta netted two goals, including a game-winning penalty kick, as the Bay Area team secured the regular-season title and the right to host the WPS Championship presented by Citi on Sept. 26. Red Stars forward Ella Masar garnered her seventh and eighth goals of the season, setting a new Red Stars season record previously held by Chicago forward Cristiane (seven goals in 2009). Marian Dalmy added her fourth assist, which ties for a team season record originally set by Lindsay Tarpley (four assists in 2009).

ON THE HORIZON

Following Wednesday's match against Philadelphia, the Red Stars host the Washington Independence at 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5, at Toyota Park. The match is televised live on Fox Soccer Channel. This marks the Red Stars' regular-season finale of the 2010 WPS season. Last time out, Washington defeated the Red Stars, 2-0, on Aug. 19. The Freedom holds a 1-0-2 head-to-head series lead against Chicago this season. All three previous matches were played at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md.

HOME GAMES ONLINE

Red Stars home matches are broadcast in both English and Spanish on www.ChicagoRedStars.com. The next Red Stars home match is at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1, against the Philadelphia Independence. Rob Coons handles the English play-by-play, and Jorge Trujillo and Enrique "Tico" Fernandez provide the Spanish webcast.

QUOTABLE

"Long-term changes don't happen over night. It's a process and we're looking to build our team for next year. This will give us a better look at our players on the bubble and those we are undecided about."

- Omid Namazi, Red Stars Head Coach

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