The Chicago Red Stars have signed forward Ally Cook to a one-year contract with a one-year option, the club announced today. Cook joined the Red Stars as a non-rostered invitee at the beginning of preseason training camp.
“I am truly honored and excited to join the Chicago Red Stars, taking my soccer journey to the next level,” said Cook. “I am grateful for the unwavering support of my incredible family, friends and the talents God blessed me with. I am excited for this new chapter with the Red Stars and ready to give it my all!”
“Ally came into preseason training with the club undeterred by not being drafted, and proved she belongs at this level,” said Red Stars general manager, Richard Feuz. “We’re excited to see what Ally can do in the NWSL after an impressive collegiate career.”
Cook joins the club from UCLA where the forward played in 44 matches, starting in 34, over two seasons with the Bruins. The southern California native scored 14 goals and made four assists for UCLA, earning her PAC-12 Third Team honors her first season and PAC-12 First Team Honors her second season with the Bruins. Cook finished her last season at UCLA ranked second on the team in goals scored and fifth in the PAC-12 with nine goals. After scoring two goals, including a game-winner against Colorado, Cook was named College Soccer News Team of the Week and the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week.
Prior to becoming a Bruin, Cook played for the University of Oregon where the forward played in 54 matches and started in 52. Across three seasons, Cook scored 17 goals and notched six assists. Cook led the Ducks with eight goals and 20 points in her junior season at Oregon, making her the seventh Duck in program history to have a 20-point season. Cook helped Oregon secure their first back-to-back winning seasons in 15 years after scoring against Oregon State.
The Chicago Red Stars travel to Sandy, Utah to take on the Utah Royals March 16 for the start of the 2024 NWSL Season. The team then returns to Chicago to take on Seattle Reign FC in the club’s home opener March 23 at SeatGeek Stadium. Tickets are now available at chicagoredstars.com/tickets.
The Chicago Red Stars have signed midfielder Bea Franklin, the club’s second third-round draft pick in the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Draft. The Seattle native joins the club on a one-year contract with a one-year club option.
“I’m very grateful for this opportunity. I’m ready to work hard and do my best to make Chicago proud,” said Bea.
“Bea is an outstanding athlete, and we look forward to seeing how she can contribute to the club on and off the pitch as well as how she can develop and adapt her game to thrive in the NWSL,” said Red Stars general manager, Richard Feuz.
Franklin joins the Red Stars from the University of Arkansas, where the midfielder played for three seasons. Over those three seasons, Franklin played in 62 matches and started in 53 while scoring 15 goals with 12 assists. In Franklin’s second season at Arkansas, the midfielder was named to the All-SEC Second Team and the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll. Franklin ended her career with the Razorbacks as a United Soccer Coaches All-American, Top Drawer Soccer Best XI, SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, All-SEC First Team and SEC Midfielder of the Year.
Prior to playing for Arkansas, Franklin played for the University of Notre Dame where the midfielder scored her lone goal for the Fighting Irish in a 3-2 double overtime win against Wake Forest. At Arkansas, Franklin was a dual sport athlete, playing basketball as a point guard and shooting guard with the Razorbacks.
The Chicago Red Stars travel to Sandy, Utah to take on the Utah Royals March 16 for the start of the 2024 NWSL Season. The team then returns to Chicago to take on Seattle Reign FC in the club’s home opener March 23 at SeatGeek Stadium. Tickets are now available at chicagoredstars.com/tickets.
The Chicago Red Stars have signed defender Hannah Anderson, the club’s third-round draft pick in the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Draft. The Texas native joins the club on a one-year contract with a one-year club option.
“Thank you, Chicago Red Stars, for giving me my first professional contract,” said Anderson. “I’m honored to wear the Red Stars crest every day to represent this club and the city of Chicago. I’m beyond excited to start this new journey with this team and excited to see what this year has in store for us! Let’s go Red Stars!”
“We’re excited to welcome Hannah to the Red Stars,” said Red Stars general manager, Richard Feuz. “Hannah is proven defender who can step in when needed, but also will have the opportunity to learn from some experienced players on our backline.”
Anderson played college soccer for Texas Tech University, where the defender accumulated multiple honors over five seasons with the Red Raiders. Anderson’s accomplishments include being named the 2023 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, earning First Team All-Midwest and First Team All-Big 12 honors, named United Soccer Coaches Association First Team All-American and Three-Time Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week, among many others.
A 2023 MAC Hermann Award Semifinalist, Anderson played and started in 96 matches, a program record for the Red Raiders. In addition to being an accomplished defender, the Plano native also scored 15 goals and made four assists while at Texas Tech, including a game-winning goal against Texas, upsetting the then 15th-ranked Long Horns.
The Chicago Red Stars travel to Sandy, Utah to take on Utah Royals FC March 16 for the start of the 2024 NWSL Season. The team then returns to Chicago to take on Seattle Reign FC in the club’s home opener March 23 at SeatGeek Stadium. Tickets are now available at chicagoredstars.com/tickets.
The Chicago Red Stars today announced the release of midfielder, Jill Aguilera.
“I want to thank Jill for her time with the Red Stars,” said general manager, Richard Feuz. “Over her time with the club, Jill did everything asked of her and developed skills at multiple positions that helped her thrive in her time with Puerto Rico’s National Team.”
The Red Stars acquired Aguilera’s playing rights in 2021 and signed the midfielder in 2022 following the conclusion of her collegiate career at the University of Arizona. With the Red Stars, Aguilera made 36 appearances with eight starts across all competitions, showcasing her versatility and playing multiple positions for the team. In April of 2022, Aguilera received her first call-up to the Puerto Rican Women’s National Team and scored in her debut with the Puerto Rican side against Suriname. Aguilera has made 11 starts with nine starts for Puerto Rico and scored four goals, including, most recently, a penalty attempt against Haiti in a playoff match that moved the El Huracán Azul past Haiti and into the group stage of the tournament.
The Chicago Red Stars wish Jill the very best in all her future endeavors and pursuits.
The Chicago Red Stars today announced the release of midfielder Sam Fisher.
“I want to extend my thanks to Sam for her contributions to the Red Star over these last few seasons,” said Red Stars general manager, Richard Feuz. “Sam has grown immensely over her time with the club to the point of representing El Salvador on the international stage, most recently during the CONCACAF W Gold Cup. We wish Sam the very best going forward.”
Sam Fisher joined the Red Stars as the 19th overall draft pick in the 2022 National Women’s Soccer League Draft. The midfielder made 23 appearances with nine starts for the Red Stars across all competitions and added one goal and one assist to her stat sheet. Fisher’s lone goal for the Red Stars came in July of her debut season against the Houston Dash when a ball crossed into Houston’s box bounced in front of the midfielder and she was able to put it away on the volley. Internationally, Fisher plays for El Salvador’s Women’s National Team. In just her second call up to the Salvadorian side, Fisher made three appearances and starts during the CONCACAF W Gold Cup and scored one goal, which came against Paraguay in the team’s final match of the group stage.
The Chicago Red Stars wish Sam the very best in all her future endeavors and pursuits.
The Chicago Red Stars today signed draftee and forward Jameese Joseph. Inked to a three-year contract through the 2026 NWSL season, the Red Stars selected Joseph in the second round of the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Draft as the 15th overall pick.
“We are very excited to welcome Jameese into our fold,” said Chicago Red Stars general manager, Richard Feuz. “She is a talented player who came into camp and showed us that she is absolutely ready to compete at this level and contribute to the club.”
“I’m excited for this next chapter with the Red Stars and I can’t wait to continue developing and growing as a player with this team! I’m so grateful for such a welcoming group of players helping me in this transition and I look forward to seeing you all at SeatGeek,” said Joseph.
Joseph attended North Carolina State University, where the forward’s goal-studded collegiate career concluded with her ranked sixth in program history for shots (237) and eighth in starts (87). Earning All-Conference honors four of five years of her college career, Joseph tallied 24 goals and 10 assists between 2019-2023. At the international level, Joseph has previously joined United States Women’s Youth National Team camps in 2016 and 2022.
The Red Stars begin the 2024 National Women’s Soccer season March 16 when they take on the Utah Royals in Sandy, UT. The club returns to Chicago for their home opener at SeatGeek Stadium March 23 against Seattle Reign FC. Tickets are available now at chicagoredstars.com/tickets.
