CHICAGO – In the final matchup for the Red Stars in the Thorns Spring Invitational, presented by Tillamook, Chicago will face the U.S. U-23 Women’s National Team at 7 p.m. CT on Saturday, April 1.

Chicago will be entering the match on a high note after a brace from Christen Press provided the win against the Houston Dash. However, Chicago will be without Press, Casey Short and Alyssa Naeher, as the three have reported to U.S. WNT camp in Texas.

MATCH INFORMATION
Chicago Red Stars vs. U.S. U-23 WNT
Kickoff: April 1 | 7 p.m. CT
Location: Providence Park; Portland, Oregon

U.S. U-23 Women’s National Team
Players to Watch: Savannah McCaskill, Brianna Pinto, Ashley Sanchez, Sophia Smith
Last Match: Defeated Portland Thorns 2-1

The U-23 team that is currently competing in the tournament is much younger and filled with high school and college student-athletes, as the young NWSL athletes are currently with their professional clubs. Katie Naughton and Morgan Proffitt, both call-ups to the previous U-23 camps will be suiting up for Chicago.

With plenty of young talent, including Brianna Pinto and Ashley Sanchez (U.S. Soccer’s Young Female Player of the Year 2016), who have both been called in previously to the senior squad, the U-23’s will be looking to move quickly in their attack.

CHICAGO RED STARS
Players to Watch: Vanessa DiBernardo, Summer Green, Jen Hoy, Morgan Proffitt
Last Match: Defeated Houston Dash 2-1

Chicago will turn to co-captain Vanessa DiBernardo to lead the Red Stars against the U-23’s. As the last match of the tournament, this will be one of the final impressions for Rory Dames and the coaching staff.

The strong attack from the U-23 squad will leave Naughton, Proffitt and the backline with a lot to handle. Michele Dalton, who will start in goal for the match, will look to lead the young defensive unit. Dalton, the 2015 NWSL leader in GAA, played in the first preseason match against Portland, where the Red Stars fell to the Thorns off a penalty kick with the final score ending, 1-0.