The Chicago Red Stars and defender Tatumn Milazzo have agreed to terms on a contract extension that will see the Chicagoland native remain with the Red Stars through the 2024 season in a two-year contract with a one-year option.
“I’m so excited to be extending my contract with Chicago. To play for my hometown, in front of my friends and family, has always been a dream,” said Milazzo. “I love this city and I’m so hopeful for the future of this organization. I’m ready to do whatever it takes to bring this club to its full potential. The players, fans and all the little kids watching deserve that.”
“This past season Tatumn showed that she has the ability to be one of the premier defenders in our league,” said Associate General Manager, Michelle Lomnicki. “She did the work to develop her game and as we move forward, I’m confident she will continue to grow as a player and as a leader for this team.”
2022 was a breakout season for the second-year defender. In June Milazzo was named to her first National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Best XI of the month team after successfully contesting more than half of her duels, aerial duels and tackles, and registered a reliable 83 percent passing accuracy, helping the Red Stars go undefeated that month.
Milazzo’s consistency carried her throughout the season as she played in every Challenge Cup, regular season and playoff match for the Red Stars this year. Adding two goals and an assist to her impressive defensive stats where she led all defenders in clearances (103) and interceptions (58), while also accumulating a 66.7 percent successful tackle percentage, helped propel Milazzo into the NWSL’s Best XI Second Team. This was Milazzo’s first inclusion in one of the league’s season Best XI teams.
Hailing from Orland Park, Illinois, Milazzo played college soccer for the University of South Carolina. As a Gamecock, she was named to the All-SEC Second Team (2017), United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Third Team (2018) and the SEC Watch List (2019).
Chicago Red Stars midfielder, Sarah Woldmoe, has announced her retirement from professional soccer. The Indiana native joined the Red Stars at the end of 2020 from Sky Blue FC.
“After the birth of my son in August, I have decided to retire from professional soccer to be close to family,” said Woldmoe. “Thank you to the Chicago Red Stars organization for the support and for the opportunity to play at the highest level. Thank you to the fans as well! I’m excited for what lies ahead, and I look forward to cheering on the Red Stars for the 2023 NWSL season!”
“On behalf of the Red Stars, I’d like to thank Sarah for her contributions to the club. She played a pivotal role for us in 2021, helping the Red Stars reach the championship match,” said Red Stars Associate General Manager, Michelle Lomnicki. “Her skills and leadership will be missed in the locker room, but we wish her all the best in motherhood, with her family and in the next chapter of her life.”
In 2021 Woldmoe played 28 games for the Red Stars, starting in 23, between the Challenge Cup, regular season and playoffs. On August 28, 2021, the midfielder notched a brace against the Kansas City Current, the first brace by a Red Star player since Sam Kerr in September of 2019.
During the 2021 playoffs, Sarah provided Red Stars fans with another memorable performance. 15 minutes into the second half of the semifinals match, Woldmoe took a shot from long distance that found the back of the net putting Chicago up 2-0 against the Portland Thorns in the semifinals and securing a spot in the 2021 finals for the Red Stars.
Woldmoe also had a decorated international career. In 2013 she won the Four Nations Tournament with the United States Under-23 team. As a member of the U-20 team, Sarah won the CONCACAF Women’s Championship and the U-20 World Cup.
The Red Stars are grateful for Sarah’s contributions on and off the pitch to the team and wish her and her family the best of luck in the next stage of her life.
Vanessa DiBernardo, Chicago Red Stars midfielder and team captain, has informed the team that she does not plan to re-sign with the club. The Naperville native has been a part of the Red Stars since she was drafted in the first round of the 2014 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) draft.
“Chicago will forever have a place in my heart, but it’s time for me to start a new chapter in my career. Being a Red Star for the past 9 seasons has been more meaningful than I could have ever imagined,” said DiBernardo. “I’m thankful to many people who have supported me on my journey, but I especially want to thank my teammates for making my time in Chicago so special. I’m also grateful for the staff who pushed me to be the best player I could be. And finally, I want to thank the fans. You’ve been through a lot with us over the years, and if it wasn’t for your constant support, we wouldn’t be where we are today. I have faith this club is headed in the right direction, and I will be cheering it on from afar.”
“As a former Red Star and now as the Associate General Manager, I’ve had the pleasure of watching Vanessa grow from a rookie to the leader she is today,” said Michelle Lomnicki, Red Stars Associate General Manger. “Vanessa is the definition of a Chicago Red Star and we’ll support and cheer her on from afar, wherever her career takes her next.”
DiBernardo has been a constant presence for the Red Stars since joining the team in 2014. Over her tenure, DiBernardo became the club leader in regular-season appearances, starts (155 and 140) and minutes (12,465). She also is second in regular-season assists with 22, behind Yuki Nagasato (23). DiBernardo is one of two players to have appeared in every playoff game for the Red Stars during the team’s historic seven consecutive playoff appearances.
The midfielder played in every game during the 2022 NWSL regular season, scoring one goal and assisting on one other. In September DiBernardo was named to the NWSL’s Best XI for the month. That was the third time in her career DiBernardo was named to a NWSL Best XI of the month team (July 2019, August 2018).
Prior to joining the Red Stars, DiBernardo played for the University of Illinois from 2010-2013. She ended her college career ranked third in school history with 43 goals, was twice a candidate for the MAC Hermann Trophy and in 2012 was named to the All-Big Ten First Team and Big Ten All-Tournament Team. In 2020 DiBernardo was inducted into the University of Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame.
During her time with the club, Vanessa helped define what it meant to be a Red Star with her hard work, selflessness and leadership. The Red Stars are grateful for everything Vanessa has brought to the club throughout the years and wish her the very best in the next stage of her career.
Midfielders, Danielle Colaprico and Morgan Gautrat, and forward, Rachel Hill, have informed the Chicago Red Stars that they do not plan to re-sign with the club. The three became free agents following the 2022 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season and will pursue playing options elsewhere.
Colaprico joined the Red Stars in 2015 from the University of Virginia and immediately made an impact on the team, playing and starting in 20 matches, scoring one goal and was named as the NWSL’s Rookie of the Year. The New Jersey native played seven regular seasons with the Red Stars, as well as the 2020 Challenge Cup and Fall Series, and is one of a few players in the league to reach 100 appearances and 10,000 minutes all with one team. Colaprico is one of two players to play every game of the Red Stars’ record-setting seven playoff appearances.
Gautrat joined the Red Stars in 2017 from a trade with the Houston Dash. The two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion’s experience and ability made the Red Stars’ midfield a formidable part of the team’s success. Gautrat departs the club having made 83 regular-season appearances, including 73 starts, scoring six goals and making four assists. Gautrat was named to the NWSL’s Best XI of the month four times as a Red Star, once in September of 2019 and three times in July, September and October of 2021.
Since joining the Red Stars, Hill has been an instrumental part of Chicago’s offense, scoring the Red Stars’ lone goal in the 2021 NWSL Championship versus the Washington Spirit. As a Red Star, Hill has played 102 regular-season matches, starting 67, and scored six goals. She made her 100th regular-season appearance Sunday, September 25 when the Red Stars faced off against the Portland Thorns.
The Red Stars extend their deep gratitude for the contributions Danny, Morgan and Rachel made to club over the years, and wish them the best of luck in the next stage of their careers.
Black History Month celebrates the contributions that Black Americans have made to American history and is meant to deepen the understanding of our Nation’s past. The Chicago Red Stars will be participating in this month-long celebration across our channels which will culminate in an exciting virtual event at the end of February. Here’s a sampling of what you can expect:
Haley, Turnbow, Alger, Foster, and Gorzak Drafted by Chicago
CHICAGO – The 2021 National Women’s Soccer League Draft has concluded, with Chicago making five Selections.
The Red Stars walked into Wednesday’s draft with the 6th, 18th, 25th and 35th overall selections after several trades throughout the 2020 calendar year.
Chicago used their first opportunity on the clock to enter into a trade with the Portland Thorns, acquiring the 7th pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft, a 2021 International spot, and the 32nd overall selection in the 2021 NWSL Draft in exchange for the 6thoverall selection.
The five draft selections made by the Red Stars are as follows:
7th Overall – Madison Haley
Stanford
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Height: 5-7
Forward
Haley opened her career at Stanford with 20 appearances including four starts in the postseason. The team noted that her hold-up play brought a different dimension to Stanford’s attack. As a Junior, Haley set career highs in goals (11) and assists (14), helping Stanford score a program record 102 goals. To date, Haley’s Stanford career includes 18 goals, 23 assists, and 57 games played – 36 of which she started.
Haley is a two-time NCAA Champion (2017, 2019) and three-time Pac-12 Champion (2017-19). She served as a member of the United States U-20 National Team and was called into a United States National Team camp (Nov. 27, 2019). Haley has been named to an All-Pac-12 first team (2019), All-Pac-12 second team (2018), All-America second team (2019), and College Cup All-Tournament team (2019).
Haley has excelled academically as well, making the Pac-12 Fall Academic Honor Roll (2019), Pac-12 All Academic honorable mention (2018), CoSIDA Academic All-America third team (2019), and CoSIDA Academic All-District 8 first team (2019).
18th Overall – Kelsey Turnbow
Santa Clara
Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona
Height: 5-8
Forward
In her Freshman year at Santa Clara, Turnbow appeared in all 23 games with 21 starts and finished second in the WCC with 13 goals, five assists, and 31 points. She was recognized as WCC Freshman of the Year, First Team All-WCC, and WCC All-Freshman. To date, Vice-Captain Turnbow’s Santa Clara career includes 35 goals, 22 assists, and 67 games played – 60 of which she started.
Turnbow is no stranger to the national stage and has been part of the U14, U15, U17, U18, U19, and U20 US Women’s National Teams.
25th Overall – Brianna Alger
Washington State
Hometown: Monument, Colorado
Height: 5-9
Defender
Alger played in all 20 of WSU’s contests her Sophomore year while starting 13. Making the most of her chances in the attack, she scored three goals in only nine shots on goal. Entering her Junior season, Alger moved into a new position as starting left back. She started all 24 games and totaled 2,098 minutes – the most of any field player. She finished the year as the third Cougar in program history to record double-digit assists posting 10, the most of any defender in the Pac-12.
Alger’s accolades include Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention (2018), Third Team All-Pac-12 (2019), two-time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week (2019), and inaugural Pac-12 Fall Academic Honor Roll. To date, Alger’s WSU career includes five goals, 12 assists, 66 games played, 49 starts, and a total 4,074 minutes played.
32nd Overall – Channing Foster
Ole Miss
Hometown: Murray, Kentucky
Height: 5-6
Forward / Midfield
Foster kicked off her Ole Miss career netting a pair of game-winning goals and with recognition as 2017 SEC Freshman Leader in goals (12), 2017 SEC All-Freshman Team, and 2017 All-SEC Second Team. The accolades continued including All-SEC Second Team (2018), United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Third Team (2018), two-time All-SEC First Team (2019, 2020), and United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Second Team (2019).
Foster’s Ole Miss career to date includes 70 games played and started, 33 goals, seven assists, and 6,151 minutes played. Most recently, Foster was named 2020 All-SEC First Team, becoming the second Rebel ever to be named all-conference four times in a career.
35th Overall – Alissa Gorzak
University of Virginia
Hometown: Naperville, Illinois
Height: 5-6
Forward
Gorzak launched her career at the University of Virginia seeing action in all 22 matches with starts in 21. She earned an ACC All-Freshman Team selection and Third Team All-ACC selection. Most recently, Gorzak played in all 22 matches during the 2019 season and was named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll. To date, her University of Virginia career includes five goals, 13 assists, 82 games played, 40 starts, and a total of 3,988 minutes played.
Gorzak is a two-time NSCAA Youth All-American. She served as a member of the US U-18 and U-19 WNT and was a member of the US U-20 WNT Player Pool.
