CHICAGO (Dec. 5, 2023) — The Chicago Red Stars re-signed defender Taylor Malham, whose contract was set to expire at the end of 2023. Malham stays signed with the team through 2024, with a club option for 2025.
Malham joined the Red Stars during preseason training this year as a non-roster invitee and worked to earn a spot on the final roster and a one-year contract with the club. The Oklahoma native made her debut with the Red Stars May 31 against Racing Louisville FC in UKG Challenge Cup play. The defender played 90 minutes in her debut and had an 84 % passing accuracy on 39 passes. Malham went on to play and start in four Challenge Cup matches for the Red Stars.
Malham's regular-season debut came in July when the defender stepped in for Tatumn Milazzo who was a last-minute scratch from the starting lineup. Despite the last-minute start for Malham, the defender showed that she was prepared and ready to contribute. The defender finished the match ranking in the top five of Red Stars in completed passes (21), tied for aerial duels won (3) and most importantly, along with the rest of the defenders and goalkeeper Emily Boyd, kept a clean sheet to help the Red Stars earn three points on the road. Malham finished 2023 with three regular-season appearances and two starts.
Malham spent her rookie campaign with Racing Louisville FC, logging 44 minutes in five appearances across all competitions. Malham attended the University of Arkansas where she finished her collegiate career with 107 appearances, all starts, 33 goals and 30 assists and was named all-SEC and all-region in 2019 and 2021.
