Roster features numerous current and former college players with Illinois ties

Chicago, Illinois – The Chicago Red Stars Reserves are excited to announce they are partnering with the Illinois Youth Soccer Association (IYSA) and the Illinois Women’s Soccer League (IWSL). The team’s roster for the 2015 season is made up of current and former college players, many of whom grew up playing youth soccer with clubs in Illinois. These standouts talents are now given the chance to hone their skills in a professional-style environment and earn call-ups to the Red Stars’ NWSL side.

The Red Stars Reserves hold a 1-0 record in the current edition of the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL), which features 82 amateur teams in 13 divisions across the country. The squad led by Head Coach Chris King and Assistant Coach Bonnie Young will play a total of five home games and five away games this year, after going 10-1-1 in the 2014 regular season and reaching the semifinals of the WPSL championship tournament.

Additional information may be found via the WPSL team page at www.wpsl.info/teams.

The IYSA is a non-profit, youth soccer organization that provides playing opportunities for over 75,000 players in Illinois. Since its founding in 1975, the IYSA has emphasized strong player development at all ages, along with good sportsmanship. The affiliated IWSL is a women’s amateur soccer league which consists of more than 1,200 girls teams all over Illinois from the U-8 to U-19 age levels as well as an adult women’s division. The majority of teams are from Northern Illinois and the Chicagoland area.

Additional information is at www.illinoisyouthsoccer.org and www.iwsl.com.

“The United States is fortunate to have so many women in soccer,” said IYSA Executive Director Mary Jane Bender. “Through our sponsorship of the Red Stars Reserves, Illinois Youth Soccer continues to support the development of the women’s game and to offer opportunities to the players after youth soccer.”

IWSL President Flo Dyson also commented on the alliance.

“The Chicago Red Stars Reserves team provides a place for female college players to return home to play during the summer months. Knowing some of these players are from the ranks of local clubs who played in the IWSL will foster excitement and show there is opportunity for progression.”

The sentiment was echoed by Red Stars General Manager Alyse LaHue.

“The formal partnership with the IYSA and IWSL is such a major opportunity for female soccer development in our area,” she offered. “The fact we feature so many standout talents from Illinois and the greater Chicagoland area on our Reserves squad shows our commitment to bridging the gap between the youth and professional game. Our coaches and club are strong believers in the potential of our local youth players and want to be help foster their development across all levels.”

The NWSL-leading Chicago Red Stars look to remain unbeaten through eight regular season games when they travel to take on Western New York Flash on June 6. The club’s next home match is a June 20 blockbuster clash with second-place Washington Spirit. Single-game and season tickets for the 2015 Red Stars campaign may be purchased by clicking here or by calling 773-698-6001.