CHICAGO – The Chicago Red Stars open their preseason training camp Monday, March 10 at Darien SportsPlex in Darien, Ill. to prepare for the 2014 National Women’s Soccer League season.

The Red Stars will be anchored by several key returnees including team captain and veteran Lori Chalupny, as well as young stars Jen Hoy, Adriana Leon and Rachel Quon. The Red Stars have several new additions including U.S Women’s National Team forward Christen Press, who is expected to join the team in June after completing her Swedish league season.

In addition, Canadian National Team veteran goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc was acquired during the off-season via trade, as well as forward Melissa Tancredi. Tancredi will be making her NWSL debut after taking a year off of professional soccer to complete chiropractic school. She is also expected to join the team in June after graduating.

The team also had two early first round selections in the 2014 NWSL college draft and chose a pair of U.S. U-20 Women’s National Team World Champions in midfielders Julie Johnston and Naperville-native Vanessa DiBernardo.

Defenders Taryn Hemmings (left knee) and Jackie Santacaterina (right hip) have spent much of the off-season rehabbing injuries and look to come into camp near full-action. Chalupny is at full-strength after suffering a season-ending ankle injury last year.

Chicago Red Stars defender Lydia Vandenbergh has chosen to take a year off from professional soccer and will not be available this season. Defender Casey Short, who was acquired via trade in 2013 from the Boston Breakers, has suffered her second season-ending knee injury and will not be available during 2014. Last week the team also waived Lindsay Tarpley.

The team will travel to St. Louis for their first preseason matchup on March 22 against fellow pro side FC Kansas City, before heading to Notre Dame on April 2, and returning for one home preseason match on April 6 against DePaul and Oakland University.

The Red Stars begin their NWSL campaign on April 19 against WNY Flash in an historic double-header with MLS side Chicago Fire at their home stadium of Toyota Park. This will be followed by the Red Stars home stadium opener on April 26 at Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex vs. Washington Spirit. Single game and season tickets are on sale now at chicagoredstars.com/tickets.