Chicago Red Stars head coach Emma Hayes is optimistic that 2010 will be a breakout year for the Chicago Red Stars—or, at least, the women's soccer team will be vastly improved from the 2009 team that finished 5-10-5.
Also in 2009, the Red Stars won no games in May or June, never won back-to-back games and endured three three-game losing streaks.
Hayes called the 2009 campaign "disappointing."
"For whatever reason, it didn't work," she said. "On paper, the team looked very good. But in reality, the team didn't gel and didn't put together the performances that we expected of them.
"But we've moved on and I think this year's team is much more balanced so that we can play an entertaining game. I think we have more steel to us this year, so we're much tougher to break down."
The Red Stars opened the 2010 season April 11 with a 1-0 loss to Sky Blue FC in Piscataway, N.J. In the home opener at Toyota Park on April 18, Chicago battled to a 1-1 tie against the St. Louis Athletica. Chicago's third game, at home April 25, resulted in a 1-0 loss to Sky Blue FC. Their next home game is May 15 at 6 p.m.
"It's going to be a tough start playing against, arguably, the two toughest teams in the league," Hayes said. "We know that it may take a little bit for us to come together. No doubt our character and spirit will be there from day one, though.
"There is a great team dynamic with this team, on and off the field. I think this is a very determined and gritty group; and that's a significant difference from last year. And, mentally the team is much stronger."
Chicago's offense is anchored around Cristiane, who had a team-leading 11 shots in the team's first two games. Casey Nogueira scored the team's first goal this season, assisted by Katie Chapman.
"This season, we've built on the core returning players, including Ella Masar, Brittany Klein, Marian Dalmy, Cristiane and Karen Carney," Hayes said. "We have more experience in the backfield and the more depth in the midfield.
"Overall, I think we're a much better, more balanced team."
Swedish striker Kosovare Asllani should add an interesting, exciting element to the offense. And Nogueira hails from soccer-power University of North Carolina; she is a Women's Professional Soccer Association rookie.
"We're young, but we have a lot of firepower, though I think it's going to take us some time to jell together," Hayes said.
"Defense wins championships, and we really want to be tough defensively. Kate Markgraf coming back is a massive plus for us, if only for her experience. Whitney Engen, our first-round draft pick, has great versatility to play numerous positions; that will help."
Jillian Loyden, acquired from St. Louis during the off-season, is the team's No. 1 goalie. "She has a great personality; I think she'll do very well for us. I'm very excited by her play," Hayes said.
The Red Stars have two home matches in May. The Philadelphia Independence come to town May 15 and FC Gold Pride invades the Windy City on May 29.
"I think our fans knew [ last year ] that we had entertaining players. I think the thing they will be most surprised with this season is how hard we're working defensively," Hayes said. "That's the foundation from where we'll build our success."
See www.womensprosoccer.com/chicago.
