This has been an eventful off-season, so far. Here's hoping for more NWSL off-field action to chew over while we wait for the College Draft. Welcome, Alyssa Naeher!
I can't specifically remember her play, but from what people are saying (great attacking FB) she is an exciting addition and sounds like she will fit in well as replacement for Taryn Hemmings. Sounds like our Red Stars are going to be plenty exciting to watch next year. Kind of breathless off-season, too. Also very pleased to hear that Dani Colaprico got the call up for December VT hoopla. Great chance for her to spend some extended time with senior team.
Casey Short was drafted #5 in the 2013 by Boston (if memory serves). She was called up by the U23s a month later and tore her ACL playing in La Manga. Havent actually seen her play since college but she's been in playing Europe.
I hear that we are moving to Toyota Park. http://chicagoredstars.com/chicago-red-stars-to-play-2016-season-at-toyota-park/
Dang, free parking, too! I hope the $$ works out for the Red Stars, because assuming it does, this is a great move.
I hope they put the cameras on the far side, though, or it'll look like horrible crowds on any broadcast. Heck, that might be why the season finale last season wasn't picked for a TV game now that I think about it...
The free parking is huge! I feel like it is around $20 for Fire games. I always have a big mental problem with this when the venue is the only destination and there is nothing else you are leaving your car there for, and there isn't decent public transportation, then it steams me, so this is very sweet. I am hoping everything works out financially - because Red Stars are a great organization and I don't want them to be punished for providing this massive upgrade.
I wonder what the difference surface and dimensions will do to the Red Stars' play style. They're 2-1-1 (-1 GD) at TP, while at Benedictine they had the second-best home record in the league (only the Reign at Memorial are better). Aside from three losses all to the Spirit, the Red Stars were undefeated at Benedictine for two and a half years, their last non-Spirit loss there being an 0-2 decision to FCKC on June 13th, 2013!
I think they will play better. TP will give Colaprico plenty of room to spread the ball around. Press has already proven she can score there. I'm hoping Brittany Bock signs with the Red Stars. She will be a big asset to them on that field.
Great article with a question and answer by Red Stars GM Alyse Lahue about Red Stars future and move to Toyota Park. http://www.chicagonow.com/token-female/2015/12/chicago-red-stars-return-to-toyota-park-in-2016/
Well, last time (in WPS) there were overblown expectations. Too many concessions were open for the amount of fans, parking lot attendants, Stadium Club was open before, during and after the game, security everywhere, etc. This all costs. They don't need all this, this time around. I am also curious as to how many night games there will be, because turning lights on will cost as well.
That part I don't know but when I called the other day about my season thickets, my rep said they were busy, so I'm hoping that means people are calling about ticket packages. I'm thinking there are people who were with them when they played at TP in the WPS days will come back. I know a couple myself. Back in the WPS days, there were many fans who followed Peter Wilt, especially Fire fans, IMO. The interesting thing will be how many Fire cross-over fans will there be? And will the Fire play nicely with the Red Stars this time around? In the WPS the Red Stars were the second highest attendance team to draw behind Boston Breakers, if I remember correctly. But the costs were just too high. And back then there were 7 owners of the Red Stars. Now there is just Arnim. But thank God for Arnim Whisler and his family who love this game and the women's game so much, they are willing to risk and probably did lose much money to keep the Red Stars brand going and women's Pro soccer alive in Chicago and the rest of the country. We often praise the new MLS ownership in NWSL and Meritt Paulson of Portland of which we should, but let's not forget the contribution that Arnim Whisler has made for over 8 years to the development of Women's Pro soccer in the US.
I admire them for doing what needed to be done. The MLS teams just make it more difficult for the independents, and with the addition of more, someone like Armin Whisler realized the ante is going up and has gone "all in." I hope it pays off for him and the team. I do wonder about some of the other owners, though. KC I think would do really well playing all their games at Sporting Park, after seeing the 8000+ they had opening day. I am assuming it is a money issue with regards to high a rent.
Purchased my 2016 Season Tickets for the Red Stars. $205 for Center Club Seats. Can't beat that deal.
From Red Stars GM Alyse Lahue twitter: Alyse LaHue @alahue 1h1 hour ago .@nwsl GM/coaches meetings dusted, now @nikesoccer meeting. can't wait to unveil our 2016 kits! #BmoreNSCAA I can't wait either. Red Stars every year have the best looking kits.
Why do you think there hasn't been any mention of Melissa Tancredi's status? Do you think it is just because Canada hasn't made their allocations public, yet?
I do not think this will be revealed tomorrow but more closely to the start of the season. Probably in April.