Since the team now has a name I thought it would be appropriate to start a thread for them. Here's a link to their new site and name announcement. http://www.womensprosoccer.com/newsitem_ektid2984.aspx?team=chicago
Here's a link to a video intro for the name and logo. http://www.womensprosoccer.com/googlemap_ektid2982.aspx?team=chicago
Just off the top of my head, premier/starters WNT players that are from "around" the Chicago area: Lindsey Tarpley, Kalamazoo, MI Heather Mtts, Cincinnati, OH Leslie Osborne, Brookfield, WI Amy Lepeilbet, Crystal Lake, IL Kate Margraff, Bloomfield Hills, MI Kristin Luckenbill, FC Indiana Goalkeeper Kerry Hanks, Noter Dame forward Lauren Cheney, Indianapolis, IN (maybe in a couple of years when she graduates from UCLA) I would love to have Lindsay Tarpley in Chicago. I think she would be perfect to Captain our team. She would be my first choice.
Great list and a great choice of captain. Whenever the Red Stars and Emma Hayes mention "exciting, attacking" soccer I think of Tarpley. Regarding Mitts, I think I read in a recent issue of Fairgame about her desire to go back to Philadelphia (this was before the announcement of Philadelphia's WPS team). Maybe we can bring her boyfriend in as a backup QB for the Bears and get her for the Red Stars.
Chicago Red Stars season tickets are now on sale. For more information: http://www.womensprosoccer.com/chicagopaymentform.aspx?team=chicago
I asume that the supporters season tickets would be like Section8 tickets for the Fire and would be standing section. At Fire games, no matter where my ticket is, I love standing in the Concourse behind section8. There I can move around and socialize with people. I love doing that. I'm going to take a couple of days and figure out which plan is best for me and make a decision. But I will buy a season ticket package. I hope that The Red Stars get support from not only Chicago area, but from all over the midwest. Chicago is a beautiful, clean city with tons of stuff to do, especially during the summer time. I'm also hoping for double headers with the Fire.
I forgot to mention Jen Buczkowski, a standout at Notre Dame and a U-21 US National Team player, who is from Chicago, would be a perfect fit for the Red Stars.
I just put my deposit down on tickets. I'm looking forward to seeing the team play next year. I think Peter and Marcia have put together a great front office and coach and the team will be exciting to watch.
Another notable player from the area would be Brittany Bock, who I believe is a senior at Notre Dame next year. Edit: I don't think anyone has mentioned Ella Masar yet as a possibility. She's a bit obvious, given the U of I connection with McDermott.
Agree with Masar. Saw her play last year with Illinois and was impressed. There are many very good players in the college ranks that never get a Senior NT call-up although I believe she played in the U-21 team.
Bye the way, the last I heard, Danielle Slaton is an assistant at Northwestern. It wouldn't hurt to give her a tryout. She played for McDermott with the Carolina Courage. I saw her play in a Beach Soccer Tournament last summer in Chicago and she still had her skills.
If we're expanding names beyond WNTers, former Freedom captain Jennifer Grubb grew up in the Chicago suburbs, though she's now working in New Jersey.
As disappointed as I am with the name. As a Red Star Belgrade fan, I wasn't too thrilled, but oh well. I would love for the Red Stars to play before or after Fire games as I would check some games out for sure.
hmm glad to see they finally have a name, last i heard before i left for basic(which was sept) was my step fathers former boss was majority owner of the team. the other big owner was/is pepsi but as i said that was in aug
Merchandise Hey, you can get Red Stars t-shirts. http://www.womensprosoccer.com/chicagoShopForm.aspx?team=chicago
Here's an interesting article about the organizaiton from the US Soccer Players site. http://ussoccerplayers.typepad.com/ussoccerplayers/2008/07/building-again.html#more
The Red Stars hire more staff. They have hired two marketing staff and in what I think is a very interesting way. They hire more of a traditional marketing person and then another person to do internet marketing. On the traditional side they hired Jeff Roth. He previously was the marketing person for And 1 basketball comapany. He helped to build a strong brand there with less dollars going against big brands. That sounds like the type of skills that would be very helpful. On the internet side they hired Amanda Vandervort. Who has a soccer background in playing and college coaching, but has been working in online marketing for the past few years. It looks like Marcia and Peter continue to put a strong group together. http://www.womensprosoccer.com/newsitem_ektid3380.aspx?team=chicago
The Red Stars are hosting a US-Brazil watching party in Schaumburg on Sunday. I'm taking my daughter and it should be a blast!
Here's the announcement from the team. http://www.womensprosoccer.com/newsitem_ektid3416.aspx?team=chicago They are actually having a viewing party for each game. July 13th - Viewing party for fans of all ages presented by GameWorks Game time 3pm. Party starts at 1:30pm with a special presentation prior to the game. July 16th - Viewing party for fans 21+ years of age hosted by Windy City Wanderers FC Game time 9pm. Party starts at 7:30pm with a special presentation prior to the game.