Rosella Ayane, Julia Grosso, Natalia Kuikka, Ludmila, Alyssa Naeher Sydney Schneider and Mallory Swanson Called Up for International Duty

 

Chicago Red Stars Rosella Ayane, Julia Grosso, Natalia Kuikka, Ludmila, Alyssa Naeher and Mallory Swanson, will all represent their respective countries during the October international window. Four Red Stars take to the international stage for the first time since the 2024 Paris Olympic Games; gold medalists, Alyssa Naeher and forward Mallory Swanson, will represent the United States, while Brazilian silver medalist, Ludmila, and Canadian Olympian, Julia Grosso, will join their national teams as Red Stars for the first time. Rosella Ayane, the first Moroccan player in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), earns her inaugural call up as a Red Star while veteran star, Natalia Kuikka, returns to Finland’s roster.

Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher rejoins the USWNT after an impressive Olympic campaign, where the Red Stars captain became the first goalkeeper in women’s soccer history to keep a clean sheet in both a World Cup Final and an Olympic gold medal match. Across six matches in the Olympic tournament, Naeher recorded four clean sheets and made 64 saves while conceding just two goals. Following the Olympics, the generational keeper announced September 25 that she would return to the Red Stars for her 10th season in the net, re-signing with the club through 2025. With Chicago this season, Naeher has added multiple accolades to her storied career, including becoming the club leader in regular-season minutes as a Red Star October 4 and the first NWSL keeper to record 40 clean sheets with one club. Appearing in 22 matches for Chicago in 2024, Naeher has notched 69 saves and six shutouts.

 

Forward Mallory Swanson also had a remarkable Olympic run with Team USA, opening with a brace with goals just 70 seconds apart in the United States’ first match against Zambia July 25. The Colorado native closed the tournament scoring the gold medal-winning goal during her 100th cap against Brazil August 10, finishing with appearances in all six matches and leading the team with four total goals. Swanson also joined the century club with the Red Stars this season, recording her 100th regular-season appearance September 29. Swanson is Chicago’s leading goal scorer in 2024, finding the back of the net seven times in addition to her team-high four assists. Naeher, Swanson and the USWNT will play three friendlies in the October international window, taking on Iceland October 24 and 27 before facing Argentina October 30 in Austin, Texas, Nashville, Tennessee, and Louisville, Kentucky, respectively.

 

Ludmila returns to Brazil’s roster for the first time since winning silver at the Olympics. The forward announced her signing with Red Stars during the tournament, July 29, going onto play new teammates Naeher and Swanson in the gold medal match. Ludmila appeared in every one of Brazil’s six matches in the Olympics, assisting one goal July 28 and registering nine shots throughout the tournament. Since debuting for the Red Stars September 8, Ludmila has earned minutes in all six matches, scoring a goal in three-straight matches between September 21-October 4. Ludmila and Brazil will host Colombia in a pair of friendlies October 26 and 29.

 

 

Olympian Julia Grosso heads to Spain with the Canadian Women’s National Team (CANWNT) ahead of a friendly against the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup champions October 25. Grosso is another call-up representing Chicago on the international stage for the first time following her signing announcement with the Red Stars July 8, one week after being named to Team Canada. In the Olympics, the midfielder appeared in two of Canada’s three group stage matches and took the pitch for 12 minutes in the August 3 quarterfinal match that ultimately saw Canada eliminated after falling in a penalty shootout. Grosso played a full 90 minutes in her August 24 debut for Chicago, earning a Starting XI slot in all eight matches for the Red Stars. A key addition to Chicago’s midfield, Grosso has yet to record a passing accuracy below 77.5 percent.

 

Attacker Rosella Ayane, on loan to the Red Stars from Tottenham Hotspur FC of the Women’s Super League, has been tabbed to Morocco’s roster. The first Moroccan player in the NWSL will represent club and country in two friendlies, first against Tanzania October 25, then battling Senegal October 29. While Ayane has yet to make her Red Stars debut, she is no stranger to international duty, earning her first cap for Morocco in 2021. After helping the Moroccan Lionesses become the first Arab country to qualify for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Ayane was named to the subsequent World Cup roster. Ayane tallied four appearances and one start as part of the historic Moroccan side that was ultimately eliminated in the round of 16.

 

 

Finnish defender Natalia Kuikka and the national team are set to take on Montenegro October 25 and 29 in the playoff rounds of the 2025 UEFA Women’s European Championship qualifying tournament. The five-time Finnish Female Footballer of the Year most recently helped Finland advance to the playoff rounds in group stage matches against Norway July 12 and Italy July 16. Kuikka has been a key component to Chicago’s back line this season, starting in 23 of the Red Stars 24 matches and recording an assist September 1. Additionally, the experienced league veteran currently ranks second in the NWSL in clearances (138) and fourth in blocks (23).

 

Goalkeeper Sydney Schneider joins Jamaica for the second time this year after receiving a call up to the national team in June. Schneider has 13 appearances with Jamaica and 11 starts, and was featured on two World Cup rosters for the Reggae Girlz. In Schneider’s first world cup with Jamaica, the then 19-year-old keeper was tasked with the start for their match against the always dangerous Brazil side. In that match, Schneider was forced to defend a penalty attempt awarded to Brazil in the 37th minute, which the New Jersey native did with seeming ease. Schneider and the Reggae Girlz will take on France Friday, October 25, in a friendly match at Stade Auguste Bonal in France. 

 

 

The Chicago Red Stars next take on the Washington Spirit at 4:00 p.m. CT at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. October 20. Following the end of the international window October 30, Ayane, Grosso, Kuikka, Ludmila, Naeher and Swanson will return to Chicago ahead of the Red Stars’ regular-season finale November 3. Before the club hits the road for playoffs, the Chicago Red Stars will host the Kansas City Current at 2:00 p.m. CT November 3 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois. Tickets to Chicago’s She Inspires Me match, presented by RUSH Hospital, can be purchased at chicagoredstars.com/tickets.

The Chicago Red Stars have advanced to the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Playoffs, the club announced today. The Red Stars’ eighth playoff berth in club history was secured with the Washington Spirit’s 4-1 victory over Racing Louisville FC.

Chicago now singlehandedly boasts the second-most playoff appearances (8) in NWSL history, participating in seven consecutive playoff tournaments between 2015 and 2022 and only bested for the record by Portland Thorns FC’s nine playoff appearances. Chicago Red Stars head coach, Lorne Donaldson, is the 17th head coach in league history to reach playoffs in their first season at the helm of an NWSL team. Team captain, Alyssa Naeher, advances to playoffs for the sixth time in her career, all with the Red Stars. Despite a relatively young roster, twelve Red Stars, including Naeher, have previous playoff experience: Camryn Biegalski, Ava Cook, Chardonnay Curran, Sarah Griffith, Shea Groom, Natalia Kuikka, Tatumn Milazzo, Cari Roccaro, Sydney Schneider, Sam Staab and Mallory Swanson.

The Red Stars’ final regular-season road trip takes the team to the nation’s capital October 20 to faceoff with the Washington Spirit at 4:00 p.m. CT at Audi Field. Chicago then returns to SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois, November 3 at 2:00 p.m. CT, hosting the Kansas City Current to close out regular-season play. Tickets to the Red Stars’ November 3 She Inspires Me match, presented by RUSH Hospital, can be purchased at chicagoredstars.com/tickets.

The 2024 NWSL Playoffs commence November 9, with the top four seeds, Kansas City Current, New Jersey/New York Gotham FC, Orlando Pride and Washington Spirit, hosting quarterfinal matches. Quarterfinal winners advance to the semifinal round November 16-17 before the 2024 NWSL Championship held November 23 at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.

The Chicago Red Stars today announced details of the club’s ‘Nuestra Ciudad’ match, presented by Wintrust, taking place this Sunday, September 29, at 5 p.m. CT at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois.

With the ‘Nuestra Ciudad’ (Our City) match, presented by Wintrust, the Red Stars aim not just to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, but also the ever-growing history and contributions Latina/o/x/e people make to the city of Chicago. According to data from the UIC Great Cities Institute’s Latino Research Initiative, Latina/o/x/e people accounted for more than one-quarter of Chicago’s population in 2022, contributing almost $100 billion in GDP to Chicago’s metropolitan area.

Along with the Red Stars’ community initiatives in predominantly Latina/o/x/e communities, the Red Stars kicked off Hispanic Heritage month by walking in the annual 26th Street Mexican Independance Day Parade. In October, the club will also host a clinic at Harrison Park, giving local children a safe place to be active and learn or hone their skills with Red Stars camps and clinics coaches. In addition to these and the club’s regular community initiatives, the Nuestra Ciudad match, presented by Wintrust, will include other celebrations of Latina/o/x/e culture.

   

Prior to the match, a Chicago Red Stars Matchday Clinic, presented by Wintrust, will take place at 2:00 p.m. CT September 29. When gates open at 4:00 p.m. CT, the first 2.500 to enter SeatGeek Stadium will receive an exclusive Red Stars Neusta Ciudad hat. In addition to regular activities available to all ticketed attendees prior to the match, the Fan Zone will host performances by members of the Necalli Cultural Movement Performing Company.

Fans can also look forward to a rendition of the national anthem by Mariachi Monumental de México, as well as a performance by the group at halftime. During the match, fans can also look forward to English and Spanish-language match announcements and can purchase a ticket package that includes a meet-and-greet with two Red Stars players following the match conclusion.

All ticket packages and single-match tickets for Chicago Red Stars home matches can be purchased at chicagoredstars.com/tickets.

Two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist, Alyssa Naeher, will return for a 10th season to the Red Stars, the club announced today. Naeher will continue tending goal for the Red Stars through 2025.  

“I’m excited to be returning to Chicago for my 10th season. I’m looking forward to being on the field with my teammates, competing for championships and continuing to try to make this club the best it can be,” said Naeher. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Alyssa back for her 10th season with the club,” said Red Stars general manager, Richard Feuz. “She has always been invaluable for the club in the goal. Having her world-class talent and leadership on and off the pitch next season, anchoring the team, sets up the Red Stars for an exciting 2025.” 

Naeher first joined the Red Stars in 2016 via a trade with the Boston Breakers where the goalkeeper spent three seasons. A personification of consistency, Naeher has played and started in 135 regular-season matches for the club, and helped lead the Red Stars to six of their seven consecutive playoff appearances, including an NWSL Championship match and the first NWSL Challenge Cup Final in 2020. Active since the inaugural 2013 NWSL season, Naeher is the first goalkeeper in league history to reach 150 regular-season appearances, first goalkeeper to win 50 matches with one club, first goalkeeper to play 15,000 minutes in the NWSL and holds the NWSL record for most saves by a goalkeeper. The Connecticut native was also recently nominated for the Ballon d’Or, one of football’s most prestigious individual awards, becoming the first NWSL goalkeeper to be nominated for the award.  

Internationally, Naeher is one of the best goalkeepers in United States history, and has the résumé to be considered one of the best goalkeepers ever. The two-time World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist has played 111 matches for the United States, boasting 67 clean sheets in less than a decade. Though Naeher was in the mix for the United States between 2014-2016, the goalkeeper didn’t become the team’s first choice for the position until 2017. Now, Naeher ranks third all-time in appearances, wins and shutouts for the Stars and Stripes. During the 2023 Women’s World Cup, Naeher became the first goalkeeper to convert and save a penalty in a shootout, and at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Naeher became the first goalkeeper in women’s soccer history to keep a clean sheet in both a World Cup Final and an Olympic gold medal match.  

Naeher has continued to bolster her career with accolades this season, with the Red Stars captain winning two Save of the Week honors (Week 1 and 15) and being named to NWSL’s March/April Best XI of the Month presented by Amazon Prime. Naeher joins former teammate, Alyssa Mautz (2013-2022), as the only other Red Star to spend a decade with the club.   

Naeher and the Red Stars continue their push for playoffs as the team prepares to take on the North Carolina Courage, Sunday, September 29, at 5:00 p.m. CT at SeatGeek Stadium. Tickets to that match and all remaining Red Stars home matches can be secured at chicagoredstars.com/tickets. 

The Chicago Red Stars have removed defender, Maxi Rall, from the 45-day injury list and have come to a mutual agreement with defender, Sami Feller, to terminate her contract. With these transactions, the Red Stars roster now adheres to the 26-player National Women’s Soccer League roster limit.

Rall joined the Red Stars in the offseason from FC Bayern Munich. The German international played and started in 10 matches for the club across all competitions and scored one goal in Red Stars’ home opener against Seattle Reign FC March 23 before being placed on the 45-day injury list.

Sami Feller’s time with the Red Stars began in 2023 when she joined the club as a non-rostered invitee in the preseason before earning a full contract with the club and playing in one regular-season match. Feller was placed on the season-ending injury list until July 5, 2024. Before her professional career, Feller was a decorated player at the University of Denver, recording 34 goals and 32 assists.

“On behalf of the Red Stars, I’d like to thank Sami for her hard work and dedication to the club,” said Chicago Red Stars general manager, Richard Feuz. “We wish her all the best in her future endeavors.”

Maxi Rall will be available for selection ahead of the Red Stars’ September 21 match against San Diego Wave FC. Tickets to all Chicago Red Stars home matches can be purchased at chicagoredstars.com/tickets.

Chicago Red Stars defender, Natalia Kuikka, earned her first career National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Deloitte Impact Save of the Week award, the league announced today.

In the 75th minute of the Red Stars’ match against the Orlando Pride September 8, the Pride attack raced up the left side of the pitch. As Orlando defender Carson Pickett ran out of space at the top of the Pride’s attacking third, she serviced a cross into the box that found the head of forward Barbara Banda. Banda redirected the ball towards the top left of the net and a goal seemed inevitable as jumping Chicago goalkeeper, Alyssa Naeher, was too far to reach the shot in time. Out of nowhere, Natalia Kuikka emerged from a sea of bodies in the box and flew through the air. Slightly closer to the incoming ball than Naeher, Kuikka’s head connected with the ball, pushing the shot over the crossbar and eliminating danger at the last second. Watching a replay of the clearance, broadcast analyst Jill Loyden correctly predicted Kuikka’s heroics earning the defender Save of the Week honors.

While the Week 18 honor marks Kuikka’s first NWSL Save of the Week award, the Finland native has been a defensive stronghold in all of the Red Stars’ matches this season, playing all but 53 regular-season minutes. Kuikka’s consistent performance leads the NWSL in clearances (127) and she ranks second in the league in blocks (23). Additionally, Kuikka leads Chicago in touches (1,147) and passes (783).

Red Stars have now tallied a league-leading five Save of the Week honors in 2024, with Kuikka joining goalkeeper, Alyssa Naeher (Week 1 and 15) and fellow defender, Tatumn Milazzo (Week 4 and 5). Additionally, Chicago has three Goal of the Week awards between Jameese Joseph (Week 16) and Mallory Swanson (Week 14 and 15). Including Kuikka’s Save of the Week, Red Stars have claimed eight weekly awards in 2024, more than any other NWSL team this season.

Kuikka next travels with Chicago to face her former club, Portland Thorns FC, September 13 at 9:00 p.m. CT. Following the trip to the Pacific Northwest, the Red Stars return to SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois, for a two-match homestand, first hosting San Diego Wave FC September 21 at 8:30 p.m. CT. The second match at home will see Chicago host the North Carolina Courage September 29 at 5:00 p.m. CT. Tickets to all Chicago Red Stars home matches can be purchased at chicagoredstars.com/tickets.