BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The Chicago Red Stars begin their 2010 Women's Professional Soccer campaign when they travel to Piscataway, N.J., to take on 2009 WPS Champion Sky Blue FC at 5 p.m. CT Sunday. The match is televised on Fox Soccer Channel.
Red Stars Head Coach Emma Hayes is excited to see how the pieces fit into place with this 2010 Red Stars group.
"Across the board, this technically is a stronger group," Hayes said. "As a result of that, we'll be able to work on building up our play more often from the back. But we know we don't want to be a one-dimensional team.
"We're excited about what we're building in Chicago, and this is a new time for us," Hayes said. "Hopefully our fans will see a very different Chicago team starting with tomorrow's game."
Sunday's match marks the season opener for both clubs, and the fifth meeting between the two teams. Sky Blue leads the all-time series with a 3-0-1 mark.
"They're an excellent team," Hayes said. "We'll have to play to our strengths and the players we have and be patient in trying to break them down. We have our high expectations and need to play to the best of our ability and execute our game plan. It's going to be really exciting."
The last time these two teams met, Sky Blue captured a 1-0 victory with an overtime goal in the 91st minute.
More than a year has passed since the Red Stars opened their 2009 WPS season with a 1-0 win over Saint Louis Athletica. From a cohesive standpoint, Hayes thinks this Red Stars squad has vastly improved heading into the 2010 opener.
"They feel completely different going into this game compared to a year ago," Hayes said of her Red Stars players. "As a group, they are together and disciplined as a team. I know how well we've progressed in the preseason. Mentally, the team is prepared and ready, regardless of who we're playing tomorrow."
ROLE REVERSAL
The offseason saw Julianne Sitch and Carli Lloyd swap cities and clubs. Sitch and Lloyd will suit up with their new WPS clubs and face off against their former teammates for the first time Sunday. Sky Blue signed former Red Stars midfielder Lloyd as a free agent on Oct. 19, 2009. Four days later, the Red Stars acquired Sitch in free agency on Oct. 23, 2009. For both Sitch and Lloyd, their recent signings bring them back to play in their home states. Sitch is from Oswego, Ill., and Lloyd is from Delran, N.J.
WELCOME BACK
Red Stars defender Kate Markgraf makes her long-awaited WPS debut after giving birth to twins last year and missing the entire 2009 season. A defensive specialist with extensive professional and international experience, Markgraf will have an immediate impact strengthening the Red Stars' back line, which allowed 25 goals in 20 regular-season matches in 2009.
LOYDEN BACK ON HOME FRONT
The 2010 season opener at Sky Blue FC will be a homecoming for Red Stars goalkeeper Jillian Loyden, a Vineland, N.J., native. The Red Stars acquired Loyden from Saint Louis Athletica on Jan. 15, 2010, in exchange for Lindsay Tarpley. In her Loyden's three starts for Saint Louis, she posted a 2-1-0 record, allowing only one goal. Loyden also received WPS Player of the Week honors last year for her six-save shutout against Chicago.
SEASON FOR CHANGE
Last season the Red Stars were held scoreless by the Sky Blue defense, earning only one point in their four matches from a 0-0 draw early in the 2009 campaign. However, the Red Stars will look to end the scoreless streak against Sky Blue and bolster their attack this season with several key acquisitions, including English international Katie Chapman, Brazilian international Formiga and Swedish international Kosovare Asllani.
REIGNING CHAMPS
Sky Blue FC ended its 2009 regular-season campaign with a 7-8-5 record. Then the team caught fire on the road during the playoffs. Sky Blue topped the Washington Freedom, 2-1, in the opener, followed by a 1-0 shutout over Saint Louis Athletica in the Super Semifinal. And capping off the run was a 1-0 victory over regular-season champion Los Angeles Sol in the WPS Championship. This year, Sky Blue returns nine starters from the 2009 championship team. At the helm is first-year head coach Pauliina Miettinen. Sky Blue added several key pieces to the team's lineup, including former Red Stars midfielder Carli Lloyd.
2009 SEASON IN REVIEW
The Red Stars finished their inaugural WPS season in sixth place with a 5-10-5 record. The Red Stars return nine players who appeared in matches last season, including WPS All-Stars Megan Rapinoe, Brittany Klein and Cristiane. Cristiane led the team in scoring with seven goals and Lindsay Tarpley, now of Saint Louis Athletica, led the team in assists with four. The Red Stars compiled four shutouts in their first season and pulled off impressive wins against the Los Angeles Sol ( 3-1 ) , Boston Breakers ( 4-0 ) and FC Gold Pride ( 3-1 ) . Emma Hayes enters her second season as Red Stars Head Coach.
RED STARS TO HOST MIDWEST FOE ATHLETICA
The Red Stars will welcome Saint Louis Athletica, and former Red Stars midfielder Lindsay Tarpley, to Toyota Park in their 2010 WPS home opener at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 17. The last time these two clubs met, Saint Louis emerged victorious with a 2-0 win in what was the final match of the Red Stars' 2009 season. The Red Stars will look to even the all-time series with a win against Saint Louis, who currently leads the series, 2-1-0. This match also will mark the first appearance at Toyota Park for U.S. National Team goalkeeper Hope Solo. Solo was away with the U.S. Women's National Team during last year's only home contest against Saint Louis. New Red Stars goalkeeper Jillian Loyden was Athletica's No. 2 goalkeeper during the 2009 season.
About the Chicago Red Stars
The Chicago Red Stars are members of Women's Professional Soccer and play their home games at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill. The Red Stars enter their second season in the eight-team WPS, and their home opener takes place on Saturday, April 17, against Saint Louis Athletica. For more information about the Red Stars, log on to www.ChicagoRedStars.com or call 866-WPS-2009.
