NWSL Chicago Stars FC

Red Stars Announce Preseason Schedule and Roster

Published on March 9, 2015 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Chicago Stars FC News Release


CHICAGO, Ill. - The Chicago Red Stars are excited to announce their official schedule and roster for this year's National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) preseason, which commences today with the club's first training session of 2015. Over the course of the coming weeks, Head Coach Rory Dames and his staff look to fine-tune their tactics and finalize a 20-player first team by testing their pool of candidates in four away matches against college sides and one inter-squad exhibition game at home.

The Red Stars preseason roster consists of all players currently under contract as well as ten invitees who impressed during the open tryouts and five of the club's six selections in the 2015 NWSL College Draft. Third-round pick Nicole Setterlund will not be entering camp, as she has opted against a professional career due to concussion issues.

A strong emphasis during this year's preseason will be to give soccer fans whose location prevents them from attending home matches the chance to see their team live and in person. For this reason, the Red Stars will be playing four away games and just one inter-squad exhibition on their home field at Benedictine University in Lisle.

Heach Coach Dames' side will hit the road to face Marquette University on March 16 at 5 p.m. CT, University of Wisconsin Madison on March 20 at 7 p.m. CT, University of Missouri on April 4 at 11 a.m. CT and University of Notre Dame on April 8 at 6 p.m. CT. The inter-squad exhibition, which will be open to the public and free for all season-ticket holders, takes place on March 29 at 10 a.m. CT. The complete preseason schedule with venue information may be found below.

A total of eight Chicago players will be joining the squad closer to the April 18 season opener, as they are currently preparing for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup with their respective national teams. While Christen Press, Julie Johnston, Lori Chalupny and Shannon Boxx are in Portugal with the USA to compete in the Algarve Cup, Canadians Karina LeBlanc, Melissa Tancredi and Adriana Leon are representing their country in the Cyprus Cup. Defender Abby Erceg is in camp with New Zealand.

The quintet of recent Red Stars draft picks is made up of Kentucky defender Arin Gilliland, Virginia midfielder-forward Danielle Colaprico, Santa Clara forward Sofia Huerta, Wisconsin forward Cara Walls and Illinois State forward Rachel Tejada. The complete 2015 Chicago Red Stars preseason roster may be found below.

For the majority of preseason, training sessions will be held Monday-Friday mornings (times vary) on the Oak Brook Park District outdoor turf at 1450 Forest Gate Road, Oak Brook, IL 60523. Media interested in attending and/or conducting interviews must contact Director of Communications Gunnar Berndt at gberndt@chicagoredstars.com or 301-702-1075.

The 2015 Red Stars season kicks off on April 18 with the team's big home opener against Sydney Leroux, Megan Rapinoe, Hope Solo and current Shield holders Seattle Reign FC. Single-game and season tickets ($145) may be purchased by calling 773-698-6001 or by visiting www.chicagoredstars.com

Complete 2015 Chicago Red Stars Preseason Schedule

Date Home Away Venue Time

March 16 Marquette University Chicago Red Stars Valley Fields 5 p.m. CT

March 20 University of Wisconsin Madison Chicago Red Stars McClimon Track/Soccer Complex 7 p.m. CT

March 29 Chicago Red Stars Chicago Red Stars Benedictine University Sports Complex (Lisle) 10 a.m. CT

April 4 University of Missouri Chicago Red Stars Don Dallas Soccer Field 11 a.m. CT

April 8 University of Notre Dame Chicago Red Stars Alumni Stadium 6 p.m. CT

Complete 2015 Chicago Red Stars Preseason Roster

Name Position Date of birth Nationality Hometown

Michele Dalton *** Goalkeeper November 5, 1988 USA Mount Prospect, IL

Monica Gonyo *** Goalkeeper October 9, 1992 USA New Berlin, WI

Karina LeBlanc * Goalkeeper March 30, 1980 Canada Maple Ridge, BC

Abby Erceg * Defender November 20, 1989 New Zealand Whangarei, New Zealand

Jackie Esterkamp *** Defender April 7, 1991 USA Cincinnati, OH

Arin Gilliland ** Defender December 25, 1992 USA Wilmore, KY

Valerie Gonyo *** Defender October 9, 1992 USA New Berlin, WI

Taryn Hemmings Defender April 25, 1986 USA Greeley, CO

Natalie Horner *** Defender January 2, 1990 USA Columbus, OH

Leigh Jakes *** Defender March 24, 1988 USA McDonough, GA

Samantha Johnson Defender June 10, 1991 USA Palmdale, CA

Julie Johnston * Defender April 6, 1992 USA Mesa, AZ

Michelle Lomnicki Defender May 3, 1987 USA Aurora, CO

Rachel Quon * Defender May 21, 1991 Canada Lake Forest, IL

Shannon Boxx * Midfielder June 29, 1977 USA Torrance, CA

Zakiya Bywaters Midfielder July 24, 1991 USA Las Vegas, NV

Lori Chalupny * Midfielder January 29, 1984 USA St. Louis, MO

Vanessa DiBernardo Midfielder May 15, 1992 USA Naperville, IL

Kelley McCloskey *** Midfielder April 1, 1991 USA San Marino, CA

Danielle Colaprico ** Midfielder-Forward May 6, 1993 USA Freemont, NJ

Giuleana Lopez *** Midfielder-Forward July 7, 1987 USA Waukegan, IL

Alyssa Mautz Midfielder-Forward July 29, 1989 USA St. Louis, MO

Lillie Toaspern *** Midfielder-Forward August 20, 1993 USA Denver, CO

Jayden Barrett *** Forward March 15, 1991 USA Corona, CA

Hayley Brock Forward August 3, 1992 USA Acton, MA

Jen Hoy Forward January 18, 1991 USA Sellersville, PA

Sofia Huerta ** Forward December 14, 1992 USA Boise, ID

Adriana Leon * Forward October 2, 1992 Canada King City, ON

Christen Press * Forward December 29, 1988 USA Palos Verdes, CA

Melissa Tancredi * Forward December 27, 1981 Canada Hamilton, ON

Rachel Tejada ** Forward July 8, 1993 USA Troy, IL

Cara Walls ** Forward June 16, 1993 USA Wauwatosa, WI

* Player potentially involved in national team's World Cup preparations

** Unsigned college draftee

*** Unsigned invitee

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