CHICAGO (April 25, 2014) – The Chicago Red Stars return to their home stadium, the Village of Lisle – Benedictine University Sports Complex, on Saturday, April 26th, at 7pm CT to face National Women’s Soccer League opponent Washington Spirit. The Red Stars (1-0-0) are coming off an impressive 1-0 win in their season opener over Western New York Flash, in a doubleheader with MLS-side Chicago Fire at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, IL on April 19th.

Chicago was hoisted by the play of 2014 NWSL College Draft selections, Vanessa DiBernardo and Julie Johnston, who combined to produce the lone goal in the Red Stars victory last week. The Red Stars sat out NWSL opening weekend with a bye the weekend before, so will be heading into just their second match of the season.

The Washington Spirit (1-0-2) are traveling to Chicago just three days after suffering a 3-1 defeat at Seattle Reign FC. The Spirit will be entering their fourth match of the young NWSL season. They earned their first victory in a 3-1 win over FC Kansas City on April 19th. The Spirit are anchored by U.S. Women’s National Team defender Ali Krieger and Canadian midfielder Diana Matheson.

The Red Stars match will be webcast live in English and Spanish on https://chicagoredstars.com/live at 7pm CT.

Following this match, the Red Stars will head on the road for the first time this season to face FC Kansas City on Wednesday, April 30th, followed by Sky Blue FC on Wednesday, May 7^th. The team returns home on May 11th, when they take on former Red Stars Ella Masar, Erin McLeod and the NWSL expansion team Houston Dash. It will be a celebration of Mother’s Day with all moms getting a FREE ticket to the match with the purchase of a regular admission ticket. For more information, please contact 773.697.8699, or visit chicagoredstars.com/tickets.

Social Media Hashtag for Game Day:
#CRSvWAS

2014 CHICAGO RED STARS ROSTER

GOALKEEPERS (2): Karina LeBlanc* (Portland Thorns FC), Taylor Vancil (Chicago Red Stars)

DEFENDERS (6): Taryn Hemmings (Chicago Red Stars), Samantha Johnson (USC), Kecia Morway (Colorado College), Rachel Quon* (Chicago Red Stars), Jackie Santacaterina (Chicago Red Stars), Michelle Wenino (Chicago Red Stars)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Shannon Boxx*^ (Chicago Red Stars), Zakiya Bywaters (Chicago Red Stars), Lori Chalupny (Chicago Red Stars), Vanessa DiBernardo (Univ. of Illinois), Julie Johnston (Santa Clara), Alyssa Mautz (Chicago Red Stars), Julianne Sitch (Chicago Red Stars)

FORWARDS (5): Hayley Brock (Univ. of Maryland), Jen Hoy (Chicago Red Stars), Adriana Leon* (Chicago Red Stars), Christen Press*^ (Tyresö FF), Melissa Tancredi*^ (Dolsjofors GolF)

• * = 2014 Allocated Player
• ^ = Will join team later in season

ATHLETICO INJURY REPORT
OUT: Taryn Hemmings (Left ACL reconstruction)
DOUBTFUL: none
QUESTIONABLE: none
PROBABLE: Jackie Santacaterina (Right hip arthroscopy)