CHICAGO – The Chicago Red Stars have hired Megan Young as the First Team High-Performance Director for the 2019 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season.

“We are absolutely thrilled to add Megan to the coaching staff here in Chicago. I have no doubt with the amount of experience she brings to the table that she is going to help us achieve our team goals,” Red Stars Head Coach Rory Dames said.

Young most recently worked for the Auburn University Athletics Department where she was part of the strength and conditioning staff for 11 years. After working with the student-athletes in the baseball and football programs, Young became directly responsible for year-long programming and implementation of all strength and conditioning related activities for the women’s soccer and basketball programs.

“I am excited to bring my performance expertise and integrate that with a club and coaching staff who value investment in multi-modal approaches to improve the women’s success and maximize their performance,” said Young. “Thank you to Arnim, Rory, and IBJI for making this opportunity possible.”

Prior to Auburn, Young earned her Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology with an emphasis in Strength and Conditioning from Baylor University. She worked with the football and basketball programs and assisted other sports in speed, strength and explosive training.

Young currently holds certifications from the NSCA, Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCa), USA Weightlifting (USAW), and USA Track and Field (USAWTF).

The Red Stars are set to begin the NWSL preseason on March 4, with the season opener on April 13 when the club travels to North Carolina to face the Courage. Chicago will host Portland Thorns FC at SeatGeek Stadium in a doubleheader with the Chicago Fire on April 20. Tickets for the doubleheader are available here.