Press, Johnston, Colaprico, DiBernardo and Chalupny honored

Chicago, Ill. – The Chicago Red Stars today announced the winners of the club’s 2015 Team Awards, as voted on by the media, fans, players and staff. While striker Christen Press was recognized as Most Valuable Player (MVP), fellow American international Julie Johnston was honored as Defensive MVP, midfielder Danielle Colaprico as Rookie of the Year, attacker Vanessa DiBernardo as Unsung Hero and another U.S. ace, Lori Chalupny, as Iron Woman of Character (the player who most exemplifies what it means to be a Red Star).

Forward sensation Press found the back of the net a stunning ten times in just eleven regular season matches, good for an average of about one goal per every 93 minutes. The 26-year-old displayed unpredictability and explosiveness throughout 2015, creating constant havoc for opposing defenses, scoring several spectacular goals and adding two assists over the course of the campaign.

Fellow Stars and Stripes standout Johnston, whose breakout year culminated in a World Cup Golden Ball nomination, went the distance in all eleven of her NWSL appearances, helping Chicago to the third-fewest goals conceded among all nine squads. The center back consistently proved her ability to join the attack, as she recorded two assists and was unlucky not to score on several occasions.

Newly crowned 2015 NWSL Rookie of the Year Colaprico was instrumental in the Red Stars’ best ever campaign as a professional squad, uncompromising tackles and precise passing making her one of the league’s best holding midfielders. The New Jersey native took nearly all of Chicago’s corner kicks from the left and fell a mere 14 minutes short of going the distance in all 20 regular season games.

Attacking midfielder DiBernardo ranked as the team’s assists leader after seeing five of her services converted into goals in 2015. The second-year professional, who also bagged two tallies of her own over the course of the campaign, appeared in all 20 regular season matches, playing 90 minutes in 19 of them. She led the Red Stars in corner kicks taken with 73.

Defender-midfielder Lori Chalupny continued to enthrall the Chicago fan base with her intelligent play, winning mentality and textbook professionalism. The long-time Red Stars captain, who lifted the World Cup trophy this summer after five years away from the U.S. squad due to head injuries, scored one goal and bagged three assists in just eleven NWSL regular season games.

After coming close in 2015, the Red Stars will be looking to bring the championship home to Chicagoland next year. Season tickets may be purchased by clicking here or by calling 773-698-6001.

2015 Chicago Red Stars Team Awards

Most Valuable Player (MVP): Christen Press
Defensive MVP: Julie Johnston
Rookie of the Year: Danielle Colaprico
Unsung Hero: Vanessa DiBernardo
Iron Woman of Character: Lori Chalupny