CHICAGO – The Chicago Red Stars open up 2017 today with a preseason match against Portland Thorns FC in this year’s Thorns Spring Invitational, presented by Tillamook.
The Red Stars have travelled 23 players to Portland to compete in the tournament, led by captain Christen Press. Julie Johnston, the starting Red Stars centerback for the previous three seasons, will not be available for these matches due to her wedding and honeymoon.
MATCH INFORMATION
Portland Thorns (0-0-0) vs. Chicago Red Stars (0-0-0)
Kickoff: March 26 | 7 p.m. CT
Location: Providence Park, Portland, Oregon
Watch: Click here for live stream
PORTLAND THORNS FC
2016: 12-3-5 (1st in regular season, lost to Western New York Flash 3-4 in semifinals)
Players to Watch: Tobin Heath, Allie Long, Nadia Nadim, Christine Sinclair
Portland finished the regular season on top of the leaderboard, but had a devastating loss to Western New York Flash (now North Carolina Courage), during the semifinals on home soil. Led by four U.S. Women’s National Team members and longtime Canada captain, Christine Sinclair, Portland will look to assess the rest of their roster before the start of the NWSL regular season.
CHICAGO RED STARS
2016: 9-5-6 (3rd in regular season, lost to Washington Spirit 1-2 in semifinals)
Players to Watch: Danielle Colaprico, Vanessa DiBernardo, Morgan Proffitt, Casey Short
A key area to watch in this match will be the Chicago midfield. Led by co-captain Vanessa DiBernardo and third year player Danielle Colaprico, the midfield could get a huge boost with 2017 draft pick Morgan Proffitt. With 23 players to evaluate during the tournament, head coach Rory Dames will have a chance to see an in-depth look against the top teams in the NWSL.
CHICAGO RED STARS PRESEASON TOURNAMENT ROSTER
# | FIRST NAME | LAST NAME | POSITION |
7 | Taylor | Comeau | M |
24 | Danielle | Colaprico | M |
18 | Michele | Dalton | GK |
10 | Vanessa | DiBernardo | M |
3 | Arin | Gilliland | D |
14 | Sarah | Gorden | D |
19 | Summer | Green | F |
2 | Jen | Hoy | F |
11 | Sofia | Huerta | M |
16 | Samantha | Johnson | D |
30 | Lauren | Kaskie* | M |
25 | Simone | Kolander** | F |
34 | Mary | Luba | M |
4 | Alyssa | Mautz | M |
9 | Stephanie | McCaffrey | F |
1 | Alyssa | Naeher | GK |
5 | Katie | Naughton | D |
23 | Christen | Press | F |
13 | Morgan | Proffitt* | M |
15 | Courtney | Raetzman | M |
29 | Brittany | Ratcliffe** | M |
6 | Casey | Short | D |
12 | Cara | Walls | F |
* 2017 NWSL Draft Pick | |||
** 2017 Preseason Invite | |||
"*" indicates required fields