The Chicago Red Stars’ preseason continues as the team announced today an update to the preseason roster to meet the league’s maximum 32-player limit. With the return of some players and the addition of others, the Red Stars’ roster now stands at 28 players.
Since the announcement of the initial preseason roster, the Red Stars have welcomed Sarah Griffith back from her loan to Newcastle Jets. Julia Bianchi, who was waiting for visa approval and played with Brazil during the SheBelieves Cup, has also joined the team. In her first scrimmage match with the Red Stars against Kansas City Current, Bianchi floated a free kick into the Current’s 18-yard box that found Tatumn Milazzo who was able to get it past Kansas City’s keeper and secure a tie in the team’s second preseason match.
Joining Bianchi and Griffith in training is former Racing Louisville FC midfielder, Taylor Malham, who joins the team as a non-roster invitee. Malham made four appearances last season with Louisville and logged one shot at goal. Prior to joining Racing Louisville FC, Malham played for the University of Arkansas where the midfielder made 107 starts and recorded 33 goals and 30 assists.
Following their stint with the United States Women’s National Team at the SheBelieves Cup, where Alyssa Naeher secured a clean sheet and her sixth SheBelieves Championship and where Mallory Swanson was named MVP for her spectacular performance, both Naeher and Swanson have rejoined the Red Stars for preseason training.
Chelsie Dawber, who was on loan with Adelaide United FC of the Australian A-League Women, has been recalled by the Red Stars and subsequently loaned to IFK Norrköping of the Swedish Damallsvenskan league.
The Red Stars open the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season March 25 against San Diego Wave FC at 9:00 p.m. CT at Snapdragon Stadium. The Red Stars’ match against the Wave headlines opening day for the NWSL and serves as a rematch of the match in the quarterfinals of the 2022 NWSL playoffs where the Red Stars fell to the wave 2-1 in extra time. Following that match on opening day, the Red Stars will host the Houston Dash for the team’s home opener at SeatGeek Stadium April 1, at 1:00 p.m. CT. Single-game tickets, Season Ticket Packages, Flex Packs and Group Tickets are still available and can be purchased on www.chicagoredstars.com/tickets.
Chicago Red Stars Current Roster:
Goalkeepers (4): Emily Boyd, Alyssa Naeher, Meagan McClelland (NRI), Mackenzie Wood (NRI)
Defenders (7): Tierna Davidson, Amanda Kowalski, Casey Krueger, Tatumn Milazzo, Kayla Sharples, Bianca St-Georges, Arin Wright
Midfielders (8): Jill Aguilera, Julia Bianchi, Sami Feller (NRI), Samantha Fisher, Sophie Jones (DRAFT), Taylor Malham (NRI), Addie McCain, Cari Roccaro
Forwards (9): Jenna Bike, Ava Cook, Sarah Griffith, Penelope Hocking (DRAFT), Brenna Lovera (NRI), Yuki Nagasato (INT), Ally Schlegel (DRAFT), Ella Stevens, Mallory Swanson
DRAFT – Players selected in 2023 NWSL Draft but not signed to a contract
INT – International Slot
LOAN – Player on currently on loan
NRI – Non-roster invitee
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