Let's start off 2021 Chicago Red Stars year with the announcement of a new ownership team. https://www.chicagoredstars.com/post/chicago-red-stars-introduce-groundbreaking-new-ownership-group Introducing the newest caretakers of this team – they are owners, fans, community members, dreamers, builders, movers, growers, and more broad shoulders to stand upon. It’s a Chicago thing. Welcome home.#MKOT #WhyIBelieve 🔗: https://t.co/mBVEdqr40p pic.twitter.com/DRljVElDQw— Chicago Red Stars (@chicagoredstars) March 1, 2021
Why are the Red Stars the only team that will not allow fans in the stadium during it's Challenge Cup home games?
Are they? I've seen mentions of Challenge Cup tickets for all Eastern teams, but no confirmations of anything for Western teams except HOU. (KC and RGN have season ticket deposits available, but nothing I can see for the Challenge Cup)
Considering current Washington state COVID regs it seems highly unlikely the Reign will be able to have fans in for the Cup. Season ticket holders haven't been told anything. I'd be very surprised if we get to go.
This will be very cool. I will start making plans: https://www.chicagoredstars.com/post/fc-bayern-munich-paris-saint-germain-join-the-women-s-cup
⚽️ @PSG_Feminines @FCBfrauen @chicagoredstars & @RacingLouFC will headline The Women’s Cup August 18th-21st in Louisville, Kentucky @lynnfmlystadium - Reserve your seats now at https://t.co/nygsmFXB5R #Louisville #Chicago #PSG #FCBayern #Soccer pic.twitter.com/p36v4J8t7n— The Women's Cup (@thewomenscup) April 14, 2021
Both PSG & Bayern got a lot of young players on their squads(for example; two 20 year olds are arguably BM’s best players & then they got an couple of 18 year olds that look good too). But they do play at an way slower pace. preferring to pass the ball dozens of times before finally living up. They might get overwhelmed by the NWSL’s more direct style, especially if their pressed hard at the back. Hopefully both clubs got time to give clinics to the local youths as they are more technical advanced
Chicago Red Stars vs. Portland Thorns FC (nwslsoccer.com) we miss sam kerr and Press someone who can score.
I suppose CRS couldn’t afford Kerr’s reported 600K salary an year she makes now at Chelsea. Wait till Ertz & Davidson are back and Chicago will rise again
Defense isn't Chicago's problem. As Fanaddict said, CHI needs someone with proven scoring boots. I guess it's "good" that this issue is being so obvious already a month or so before the regular season starts. CHI won't get back to the CC final, but this gives them the warning to start shopping around now.
Amazing that Red Stars can't put the ball in the net. I'm starting to think it's the midfield. I know it's a veteran midfield and they have been there for a long time, but there is something wrong there and I can't put my finger on it.
Midfield is doing its job by getting the ball into the final third. It's just that the Red Stars don't have anyone willing to take the shot.
Portland’s best chances came in when they were able to isolate Short, so where was the rest of the defense? last year CHI did get both Kelea & Rachel Hill, but didn’t bring in Hill(in this game) till the 77th minute, apparently Doniak was the central striker(thought she was an mid) seems like a bit of rust overall in the NWSL but so far it’s been the year of the newbie over established goal scorers, how long is the open signing season?
Seattle could only sustain two years of excellence before hitting staleness; FCKC had three. With the pandemic year last year, hard to say if NC's streak truly faltered or not, but if it did, that was also after three years. If CHI has gone stale now, they've had a damn good five-year run of consistent playoff quality.
https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2021...rounce-chicago-red-stars-5-0-in-season-opener EMBARRASSING! This is the result of two months of prepping? We knew this game was going to be tough for the Red Stars, Portland is stacked and clicking on all cylinders, but come on! I hope that the team rebounds and starts clicking, but hard core fans and especially long time season ticket holders can't help but ask, has this team become stagnant? Has it become stale? Do some of the players who have been in Chicago for years need new scenery? Do the Red Stars need new scenery on the Coaches bench?
I think it needs to be the new coach. I've always said that Rory Dames is an amazing GM. But when it comes to actually coaching the team, I don't really see much from him. If he's willing to take the role of GM, that'd be great. If not, then I'm fine with simply moving on.
Likely, I won't be going. I'm putting priority on going to the Fire game, but I hope that I can make both. Don't know how things will work out yet.
MRAD12, if you are concerned, then there must be something to be concerned about. I do not recall ever seeing a game like that between the Red Stars and Thorns, normally they are great games. Perhaps too, there is something to say for stability. The Thorns basically have been intact since the beginning of the 2020 so called season, except for the addition of Kuikka (who did not play on Sunday, but throughout the Challenge Cup was the starting right back and I am guessing is carrying some kind of minor injury). And, I think they just added Yasmeen Ryan who just finished up her college career at TCU. I think it is hard for teams when they are in the process of integrating key players.
Chicago may bring in two European based players so who knows who they are and how much they will be able to contribute.
I believe Rory wanted to give this group one more shot at winning it all. That's why he protected the core from expansion. Next year will be a different ball game as two teams are coming in the league. To me this team is just stagnant, not improving. This midfield maybe has been together too long, I don't know. I don't think any Red Stars fan thought they would win in Portland last Sunday, but to get blown out like that and to see that defense getting cut up like cheese was disheartening. I'm not sure I am the only CRS fan concerned. First game, long season. Maybe this blowout was needed to wake them up. We'll see.