Chicago Red Stars
Encyclopedia
The Chicago Red Stars are a American
professional soccer club that is based in the Chicago
suburb of Lisle, Illinois
that participates in the Women's Premier Soccer League
. From 2009-2010, the Red Stars played their home games at Toyota Park
in the Womens Professional Soccer. They reorganized and joined the Women's Premier Soccer League
for the 2011 season.
Marcia McDermott, a former head coach of the Northwestern University
women's soccer team, was the Red Stars' general manager.
. The name refers to the four six-pointed, red stars on the municipal flag of Chicago. Each star represents a landmark event in Chicago history: Fort Dearborn
, the Great Chicago Fire
, the 1893 World’s Fair
, and the 1933 World's Fair
. Other names considered were Progress, Towers, Stinking Onions, Massacre
, Union, Blues
, Riot
, 1871
and Wind. http://www.womensprosoccer.com/soccer_ektid1950.aspx The choice of Red Stars supported the popular vote of a two-month fan ballot.
The Chicago Red Stars won their first game of the season, 1-0, at Saint Louis Athletica, and followed with two ties (1-1 at Washington Freedom
and 0-0 hosting Sky Blue FC
) and a 4-0 thrashing of Boston Breakers at Toyota Park
. This gave them the best starting record of any team in the league besides eventual season champions Los Angeles Sol (who had gone WWWD in their first four), seeming to live up to preseason expectations based on the strong core of USWNT and international players the Red Stars had. However, the Red Stars then went winless for their next nine games, only getting three away draws in that streak, which included a 451-minute long scoring drought. It looked like that streak would continue as, in their next game, their opponents the Freedom scored first, but then the Red Stars made WPS history by becoming the first team to successfully come from behind to win 2-1. They also beat cellar-dwellers FC Gold Pride
in their next game 3-1, but then lost four of their last five games, eliminating them from the playoffs as they ended the season sixth of seven. Their one win, though, was a 3-1 home victory over the Sol.
chose to step down from his position leading the organization, moving on to manage the NISL
team in his hometown, the Milwaukee Wave
, with Marcia McDermott taking his place for the Red Stars.
The team ceased operations due to being unable to meet WPS' funding requirements leading into the 2011 season on December 13, 2010. The team had hopes to return in 2012 if they are able to overcome their financial difficulties.
for the 2011 season. They played their home games at the Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex in west suburban of Chicago.
The new roster consists players from the WNT U-20 and U-23 pools, and collegiate stars. The first announcement included mention of three players with WPS experience (two from the Red Star's 2010 squad) The new Red Stars were coached by Eclipse Select Soccer Club's Director of Coaching and Player Development, Rory Dames They also continued being active in the Chicago soccer community by continuing to hold camps.
The Red Stars finished the regular season with a 10–1 record, and hosted the league semifinals and championship matches. They beat Tampa Bay Hellenic
2-1 in their semifinal but lost by the same scoreline in the final to the Orange County Waves, another pro WPSL team that also has WPS connections.
. The six points on the large red star in the center of the Chicago Red Stars logo also have their own meaning to the team:
"Sports organizations have long been ambassadors of their civic populations, particularly in Chicago, and even more so for an internationally appreciated sport like soccer," said JL Murtaugh, who created the original concept for the Red Stars logo then worked with Adrenalin to develop the final brand identity.
is a world-class soccer stadium and concert venue located at the corner of 71st and Harlem in Bridgeview, Illinois. Toyota Park has 20,000 dedicated seats for sporting events and over 28,000 permanent seats for concerts. The state-of-the-art venue also has 42 luxury suites, numerous hospitality areas, and a full-service Stadium Club. It is also home to the Chicago Fire. For 2011 season, the Red Stars will play their matches at the Benedictine University Sports Complex (a university stadium of 3,000 sieges ). Playing at Benedictine University will be a major help to the viability of the team, which won’t have to deal with astronomical rent prices at Toyota Park.
to organize a supporters group, Local 134. They chose the name to reflect Chicago's great union history as well as Toyota Park's section 134.
(2009–2010)/
Omid Namazi
(2010) Rory Dames (2011–present)
Cristiane Danesha Adams
Heather Garriock
Caroline Jönsson
Carli Lloyd
Frida Östberg
Megan Rapinoe
Lindsay Tarpley
Lydia Williams
Jillian Loyden
*In 2010, only 7 teams finished the season.
*Golden Boot is the team leader in goals (regular season games only).
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional soccer club that is based in the Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
suburb of Lisle, Illinois
Lisle, Illinois
Lisle is a village in DuPage County, Illinois, United States. The population was 22,930 at the 2011 census, and estimated to be 23,135 as of 2008. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Illinois Technology and Research Corridor...
that participates in the Women's Premier Soccer League
Women's Premier Soccer League
The Women's Premier Soccer League is a national women's soccer league in the United States and Puerto Rico, and is on the 2nd level of women's soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, alongside the W-League and below Women's Professional Soccer....
. From 2009-2010, the Red Stars played their home games at Toyota Park
Toyota Park (Bridgeview)
Toyota Park is a soccer-specific stadium located at 71st Street and Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview, Illinois. It is the home stadium of the Chicago Fire Soccer Club, members of Major League Soccer . Toyota Park was developed at a cost of around $100 million. The facility opened June 11, 2006...
in the Womens Professional Soccer. They reorganized and joined the Women's Premier Soccer League
Women's Premier Soccer League
The Women's Premier Soccer League is a national women's soccer league in the United States and Puerto Rico, and is on the 2nd level of women's soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, alongside the W-League and below Women's Professional Soccer....
for the 2011 season.
Marcia McDermott, a former head coach of the Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
women's soccer team, was the Red Stars' general manager.
Planning and first season
The "Red Stars" name was announced on June 3, 2008, at a ceremony held at Toyota ParkToyota Park (Bridgeview)
Toyota Park is a soccer-specific stadium located at 71st Street and Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview, Illinois. It is the home stadium of the Chicago Fire Soccer Club, members of Major League Soccer . Toyota Park was developed at a cost of around $100 million. The facility opened June 11, 2006...
. The name refers to the four six-pointed, red stars on the municipal flag of Chicago. Each star represents a landmark event in Chicago history: Fort Dearborn
Fort Dearborn
Fort Dearborn was a United States fort built in 1803 beside the Chicago River in what is now Chicago, Illinois. It was constructed by troops under Captain John Whistler and named in honor of Henry Dearborn, then United States Secretary of War. The original fort was destroyed following the Battle of...
, the Great Chicago Fire
Great Chicago Fire
The Great Chicago Fire was a conflagration that burned from Sunday, October 8, to early Tuesday, October 10, 1871, killing hundreds and destroying about in Chicago, Illinois. Though the fire was one of the largest U.S...
, the 1893 World’s Fair
World's Columbian Exposition
The World's Columbian Exposition was a World's Fair held in Chicago in 1893 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World in 1492. Chicago bested New York City; Washington, D.C.; and St...
, and the 1933 World's Fair
Century of Progress
A Century of Progress International Exposition was the name of a World's Fair held in Chicago from 1933 to 1934 to celebrate the city's centennial. The theme of the fair was technological innovation...
. Other names considered were Progress, Towers, Stinking Onions, Massacre
Haymarket affair
The Haymarket affair was a demonstration and unrest that took place on Tuesday May 4, 1886, at the Haymarket Square in Chicago. It began as a rally in support of striking workers. An unknown person threw a dynamite bomb at police as they dispersed the public meeting...
, Union, Blues
Chicago blues
The Chicago blues is a form of blues music that developed in Chicago, Illinois, by taking the basic acoustic guitar and harmonica-based Delta blues, making the harmonica louder with a microphone and an instrument amplifier, and adding electrically amplified guitar, amplified bass guitar, drums,...
, Riot
Chicago Race Riot of 1919
The Chicago Race Riot of 1919 was a major racial conflict that began in Chicago, Illinois on July 27, 1919 and ended on August 3. During the riot, dozens died and hundreds were injured. It is considered the worst of the approximately 25 riots during the Red Summer of 1919, so named because of the...
, 1871
Great Chicago Fire
The Great Chicago Fire was a conflagration that burned from Sunday, October 8, to early Tuesday, October 10, 1871, killing hundreds and destroying about in Chicago, Illinois. Though the fire was one of the largest U.S...
and Wind. http://www.womensprosoccer.com/soccer_ektid1950.aspx The choice of Red Stars supported the popular vote of a two-month fan ballot.
The Chicago Red Stars won their first game of the season, 1-0, at Saint Louis Athletica, and followed with two ties (1-1 at Washington Freedom
Washington Freedom
The Washington Freedom was an American professional soccer club based in the Washington, D.C. suburb of Germantown, Maryland that participated in Women's Professional Soccer. The Freedom was originally founded in 2001 as a member of the defunct Women's United Soccer Association. Since 2004, the...
and 0-0 hosting Sky Blue FC
Sky Blue FC
Sky Blue FC is an American professional soccer club based in Piscataway Township, New Jersey which participates in Women's Professional Soccer....
) and a 4-0 thrashing of Boston Breakers at Toyota Park
Toyota Park (Bridgeview)
Toyota Park is a soccer-specific stadium located at 71st Street and Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview, Illinois. It is the home stadium of the Chicago Fire Soccer Club, members of Major League Soccer . Toyota Park was developed at a cost of around $100 million. The facility opened June 11, 2006...
. This gave them the best starting record of any team in the league besides eventual season champions Los Angeles Sol (who had gone WWWD in their first four), seeming to live up to preseason expectations based on the strong core of USWNT and international players the Red Stars had. However, the Red Stars then went winless for their next nine games, only getting three away draws in that streak, which included a 451-minute long scoring drought. It looked like that streak would continue as, in their next game, their opponents the Freedom scored first, but then the Red Stars made WPS history by becoming the first team to successfully come from behind to win 2-1. They also beat cellar-dwellers FC Gold Pride
FC Gold Pride
FC Gold Pride was an American professional soccer club based in Santa Clara, California which participated in Women's Professional Soccer. The club replaced the San Jose CyberRays of the defunct Women's United Soccer Association as the top-level women's soccer team in the San Francisco Bay Area...
in their next game 3-1, but then lost four of their last five games, eliminating them from the playoffs as they ended the season sixth of seven. Their one win, though, was a 3-1 home victory over the Sol.
Peter Wilt steps down
True to his agreement to help the Red Stars organization see the team through its first season, Peter WiltPeter Wilt
Peter Wilt , is a soccer executive who was the first President and General Manager of the Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer, led an effort to bring an expansion MLS franchise to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and maintains strong connection to the sport of soccer in the Midwest, Chicago in particular...
chose to step down from his position leading the organization, moving on to manage the NISL
National Indoor Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League , formerly known as the National Indoor Soccer League, is an indoor soccer league which began play in 2008. It is the third league to be known as the Major Indoor Soccer League...
team in his hometown, the Milwaukee Wave
Milwaukee Wave
The Milwaukee Wave is an American professional indoor soccer team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. Founded in 1984 they are the oldest continuously operating professional soccer team in North Americaand a member of the Major Indoor Soccer League....
, with Marcia McDermott taking his place for the Red Stars.
Second Season
The Red Stars opened up their second season with high hopes and many new faces. In their first game, the Red Stars came up short, losing 1-0 at Sky Blue FC despite dominating much of the game. A 1-1 home tie in their second game earned the Stars their first point of the 2010 season.The team ceased operations due to being unable to meet WPS' funding requirements leading into the 2011 season on December 13, 2010. The team had hopes to return in 2012 if they are able to overcome their financial difficulties.
Third season
The Red Stars ultimately joined the Women's Premier Soccer LeagueWomen's Premier Soccer League
The Women's Premier Soccer League is a national women's soccer league in the United States and Puerto Rico, and is on the 2nd level of women's soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, alongside the W-League and below Women's Professional Soccer....
for the 2011 season. They played their home games at the Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex in west suburban of Chicago.
The new roster consists players from the WNT U-20 and U-23 pools, and collegiate stars. The first announcement included mention of three players with WPS experience (two from the Red Star's 2010 squad) The new Red Stars were coached by Eclipse Select Soccer Club's Director of Coaching and Player Development, Rory Dames They also continued being active in the Chicago soccer community by continuing to hold camps.
The Red Stars finished the regular season with a 10–1 record, and hosted the league semifinals and championship matches. They beat Tampa Bay Hellenic
Tampa Bay Hellenic
Tampa Bay Hellenic are an American women's soccer team based in Tampa, Florida. They are currently scheduled to play in the Women's Premier Soccer League , at the second tier of women's soccer in the United States and Canada, for the 2011 season....
2-1 in their semifinal but lost by the same scoreline in the final to the Orange County Waves, another pro WPSL team that also has WPS connections.
Crest and colors
Adrenalin, Inc., The Brand Expansion Team, and jlmvisual partnered to develop the Red Stars identity. The primary logo combines two heraldic Chicago images: the shape of the shield is taken from the shield inside the city of Chicago’s official shield. The colors, stripes, and stars in the logo are all inspired by Chicago’s municipal flag. The blue stripes on the Red Stars logo represent the two branches of the Chicago RiverChicago River
The Chicago River is a system of rivers and canals with a combined length of that runs through the city of the same name, including its center . Though not especially long, the river is notable for being the reason why Chicago became an important location, as the link between the Great Lakes and...
. The six points on the large red star in the center of the Chicago Red Stars logo also have their own meaning to the team:
- Entertainment (top point)
- Service (next point moving clockwise)
- Success
- Community
- Teamwork
- Leadership
"Sports organizations have long been ambassadors of their civic populations, particularly in Chicago, and even more so for an internationally appreciated sport like soccer," said JL Murtaugh, who created the original concept for the Red Stars logo then worked with Adrenalin to develop the final brand identity.
Stadium
Owned by the Village of Bridgeview and managed by Andell Sports Group, Toyota ParkToyota Park (Bridgeview)
Toyota Park is a soccer-specific stadium located at 71st Street and Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview, Illinois. It is the home stadium of the Chicago Fire Soccer Club, members of Major League Soccer . Toyota Park was developed at a cost of around $100 million. The facility opened June 11, 2006...
is a world-class soccer stadium and concert venue located at the corner of 71st and Harlem in Bridgeview, Illinois. Toyota Park has 20,000 dedicated seats for sporting events and over 28,000 permanent seats for concerts. The state-of-the-art venue also has 42 luxury suites, numerous hospitality areas, and a full-service Stadium Club. It is also home to the Chicago Fire. For 2011 season, the Red Stars will play their matches at the Benedictine University Sports Complex (a university stadium of 3,000 sieges ). Playing at Benedictine University will be a major help to the viability of the team, which won’t have to deal with astronomical rent prices at Toyota Park.
Supporters
Chicago supporters were the first in Women's Professional SoccerWomen's Professional Soccer
Women's Professional Soccer is the top level professional women's soccer league in the United States. It began play on March 29, 2009. The league was composed of seven teams for its first two seasons and fielded 6 teams for the 2011 season, with continued plans for future expansion...
to organize a supporters group, Local 134. They chose the name to reflect Chicago's great union history as well as Toyota Park's section 134.
Owners
The Chicago Professional Women's Soccer, LLC investor and partner group includes a cross section of the area's soccer and business leadership. http://www.womensprosoccer.com/Home/chicago/about/crs-staff.aspxCurrent squad
As of 27 May 2011.Head coaches
Emma HayesEmma Hayes
Emma Hayes is an English association football coach. She served as the head coach and director of soccer operations for Chicago Red Stars of Women's Professional Soccer in the United States from 2008 until 24 May 2010....
(2009–2010)/
Omid NamaziOmid Namazi
Omid Namazi is a retired Iranian-American soccer defender and the current Assistant Coach to Carlos Queiroz with Iran national football team. Namazi played professionally in the American Soccer League, American Professional Soccer League, Major League Soccer, USISL and National Professional Soccer...
(2010) Rory Dames (2011–present)
Former notable players
See also All-time Chicago Red Stars rosterAll-time Chicago Red Stars roster
This list comprises all players who have been placed on a regular-season roster for Chicago Red Stars since the team's first Women's Professional Soccer season in 2009. This list does not include pre-season training rosters, short term players, or discovery players who do not appear for the...
Cristiane Danesha Adams
Danesha Adams
Danesha Adams is an American soccer forward and midfielder currently playing for Medkila IL in Norway's Toppserien. She has played for WPS's Chicago Red Stars and Philadelphia Independence and the United States national team.-International career statistics:-References:* * * * *...
Heather Garriock
Heather Garriock
Heather Ann Garriock is an Australian football midfielder currently playing for Sydney FC of the Australian W-League and is a member of the Australian women's national team.-Club career:...
Caroline Jönsson
Caroline Jönsson
Caroline Jönsson is a Swedish football goalkeeper currently playing for Umeå IK of Damallsvenskan and is a former member of the Swedish Women's National Team.-Youth career:...
Carli Lloyd
Carli Lloyd
Carli Anne Lloyd is an American soccer midfielder currently playing for the Atlanta Beat of Women's Professional Soccer and is a member of the United States women's national soccer team.-Early life:...
Frida Östberg
Frida Östberg
Frida Christina Östberg is a retired Swedish football midfielder who played for Umeå IK, Linköpings FC and Chicago Red Stars of Women's Professional Soccer. She is a former member of the Sweden women's national football team.-Club:Östberg started her career with Hägglunds IoFK, who she played for...
Megan Rapinoe
Megan Rapinoe
Megan Anna Rapinoe is an American soccer midfielder who is currently a free agent in the Women's Professional Soccer League and a member of the United States women's national soccer team...
Lindsay Tarpley
Lindsay Tarpley
Lindsay Ann Tarpley Snow is an American soccer forward currently playing for magicJack of Women's Professional Soccer and is a member of the United States women's national soccer team. She went to Portage Central High School.-High school:Tarpley grew up in Portage, Michigan, and attended Portage...
Lydia Williams
Lydia Williams
Lydia Williams is an Australian football player, who currently plays for Canberra United FC in the Australian W-League.-Early life:...
Jillian Loyden
Jillian Loyden
Jillian Ann Loyden, better known as Jill Loyden is an American soccer goalkeeper. She formerly played for the Chicago Red Stars in the Women's Professional Soccer....
Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Reg. Season | Playoffs | Games | W | D | L | PT | GF | GA | GDIF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 2009 Chicago Red Stars season -First-team squad:As of March 26, 2009.-Golden Boot :http://www.womensprosoccer.com/chicago/stats/2009-stats.aspx-Management:-Other information:-Overall:... |
1 | WPS 2009 Women's Professional Soccer season The 2009 Women's Professional Soccer season served as the inaugural season for WPS, the top level professional women's soccer league in the United States... |
6th, out of 7 | DNQ | 20 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 20 | 18 | 25 | (-7) |
| 2010 2010 Chicago Red Stars season -First-team squad:As of May 5, 2010.-In:-Out:-Golden Boot :-Management:-Other information:-Overall:... |
1 | WPS 2010 Women's Professional Soccer season The 2010 Women's Professional Soccer season was the second season for the WPS, the top level professional women's soccer league in the United States... |
6th, out of 8* | DNQ | 24 | 7 | 6 | 11 | 27 | 21 | 27 | (-6) |
| 2011 | 2 | WPSL 2011 WPSL Season -Standings:Blue indicates division titleYellow indicates qualified for playoffs-North Division:-South Division:-Big Sky Conference:The Big Sky regional playoffs were cancelled due to a high number of players returning to college.-North Division:... |
1st, Midwest - North | Final | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 25 | 38 | 7 | (31) |
*In 2010, only 7 teams finished the season.
Team Awards
| Year | |Team MVP | |Golden Boot* | |Defender of the Year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | Goals | |||
| 2009 |  Cristiane |
Cristiane |
7 | |
| 2010 | Masar Ella Masar Ella Masar is an American soccer forward currently playing for Paris Saint-Germain of France's Division 1 Féminine and is a current member of the United States women's national soccer team.-Youth and university:... |
8 | ||
| 2011 | Cinalli Amanda Cinalli Amanda Cinalli is an American soccer forward currently playing for Atlanta Beat of Women's Professional Soccer and is a member of the United States U-23 women's national soccer team. She attended Laurel School in Shaker Heights, OH.-External links:* * *... |
10 |
*Golden Boot is the team leader in goals (regular season games only).
WPS individual awards
- Natalie SpilgerNatalie SpilgerNatalie Spilger is an American soccer defender currently playing for Chicago Red Stars of Women's Professional Soccer and is a former member of the United States U-21 women's national soccer team....
– WPS Sportswoman of the Year, 20102010 Women's Professional Soccer seasonThe 2010 Women's Professional Soccer season was the second season for the WPS, the top level professional women's soccer league in the United States...
See also
- Women's Professional SoccerWomen's Professional SoccerWomen's Professional Soccer is the top level professional women's soccer league in the United States. It began play on March 29, 2009. The league was composed of seven teams for its first two seasons and fielded 6 teams for the 2011 season, with continued plans for future expansion...
(WPS) - Women's United Soccer AssociationWomen's United Soccer AssociationThe Women's United Soccer Association, often abbreviated to the WUSA, was the world's first women's soccer league in which all the players were paid as professionals. Founded in February 2000, the league began its first season in April 2001 with eight teams in the United States...
(WUSA) - Women's Premier Soccer LeagueWomen's Premier Soccer LeagueThe Women's Premier Soccer League is a national women's soccer league in the United States and Puerto Rico, and is on the 2nd level of women's soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, alongside the W-League and below Women's Professional Soccer....
(WPSL) - Chicago Red Eleven (W-Leaque)