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WPS Chicago Stars FC

Chicago Red Stars Wrap up 4-Game Road Trip Sunday at Washington

July 3, 2010 - Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
Chicago Stars FC News Release


BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The Chicago Red Stars (3-5-3) wrap up their four-game road trip against the team that started off their road swing, the Washington Freedom (4-3-3). The two teams square off in Women's Professional Soccer play at 4 p.m. CT Sunday at Maryland SoccerPlex, in Boyds, Md.

Washington hosted Chicago on June 12, and the Red Stars overcame a 2-0 deficit to pull off a 2-2 draw. Chicago forward Cristiane led the way with back-to-back goals.

The Red Stars are 1-1-1 on their current road trip, and over their past five matches have posted a 2-1-2 mark. Chicago is coming off a 2-1 victory over the Boston Breakers on June 25. Washington is coming off a 3-2 loss to the Philadelphia Independence.

The Red Stars currently are sitting outside of the top four spots for a playoff berth, only three points behind fourth-place Washington. The Freedom are looking to capitalize on their home-field advantage before they play seven of their next nine games on the road.

"Every game is a big game for us here on out," Red Stars Head Coach Omid Namazi said. "We're going to treat it as if we're playing in 13 final games. We literally have to play in 13 finals and that's how we're going to treat our season."

MARKGRAF QUICKLY RECOVERS

Red Stars defender Kate Markgraf originally was selected as a reserve for Wednesday's WPS All-Star Game presented by U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, but a hamstring injury prevented her from participating. Earlier in the week, Markgraf was questionable to play against the Freedom this weekend, but Namazi said her progress has put her in a good position to be a game-time option.

"She's been pretty good," Namazi said. "We've monitored her progress this week and we feel she'll be OK for Sunday."

ALL-STAR SHOWCASE

Red Stars forward Cristiane, midfielder Karen Carney and goalkeeper Jillian Loyden all participated in Wednesday's WPS All-Star Game. Cristiane was on the winning side, Marta IX, as her team defeated Abby IX, 5-2. This year's All-Star format featured WPS players going head-to-head, with one team captained by FC Gold Pride's Marta and the other captained by the Washington Freedom's Abby Wambach. All three Red Stars players entered the match in the second half. For Cristiane she becomes the first Red Stars player to participate in two All-Star Games.

LAST TIME OUT

The Red Stars defeated the host Boston Breakers, 2-1, on June 25, as Chicago topped Boston for the second time this season. Red Stars forward Ella Masar led the way, netting her first two goals of her WPS career. Red Stars Head Coach Omid Namazi also earned his first win since joining the organization on June 3. The Red Stars are 1-1-2 under Namazi entering this weekend.

'D' UP TO THE TASK

The Red Stars' defense has been steady throughout the 2010 WPS season. Chicago has allowed two goals in a game only twice - once against FC Gold Pride and the other against Washington. The Red Stars enter the weekend allowing only 10 goals in 11 matches, which ties for the most successful mark along with Gold Pride.

LOCAL TIES

The Red Stars will run into a former teammate from earlier this year - midfielder Brittany Klein. Klein, who was released by the Red Stars in June, recently signed with the Freedom and was placed on the team's developmental roster. The 2009 WPS All-Star started in all 20 regular-season matches last year for Chicago and started in three matches for the Red Stars earlier this year. ... Freedom defender Brittany Bock is a Naperville, Ill., native and University of Notre Dame alumna. Bock helped Neuqua Valley High School win a state title during her senior season.

BACK IN THE DAY ...

Red Stars forward Ella Masar played for the Washington Freedom in 2008 when the organization was part of the United Soccer Leagues W-League. In seven games, Masar scored three goals for Washington, as the Freedom posted an 11-1-2 regular-season record, won the Eastern Conference's Northeast Division, and earned third place in the W-League Playoffs.

U.S. WNT CALL-UPS

On Monday, U.S. Women's National Team head coach Pia Sundhage called up 24 players for the U.S.'s two matches against Sweden taking place on July 13 and 17. Three Red Stars were included - goalkeeper Jillian Loyden, defender Kate Markgraf and midfielder Megan Rapinoe. For the Washington Freedom, midfielder Sarah Huffman, midfielder Allie Long and forward Abby Wambach earned the call-up.

ON THE HORIZON

Following Sunday's match against Washington, the Red Stars return home for three of their next four matches. Chicago hosts the Atlanta Beat at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 7, at Toyota Park. The Red Stars are 0-1-1 against the Beat in Atlanta's inaugural season. The Beat defeated Chicago, 1-0, on June 19, and they played to a scoreless draw on June 6.

ONLINE HOME BROADCASTS

Red Stars home matches are broadcast in both English and Spanish on www.ChicagoRedStars.com. The next Red Stars home match is at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 7, against Atlanta. Rob Coons handles the English play-by-play, and Jorge Trujillo and Enrique "Tico" Fernandez provide the Spanish webcast.

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