Red Stars Announce Roster, New (very different!) Challenge Cup Schedule

Well!

With the announcement that the Orlando Pride have had to withdraw from the 2020 Challenge Cup due to multiple players testing positive for COVID-19 (I’m…not going to get into that here), Chicago’s planned roster drop was delayed by about 24 hours, right before Chicago was given their new competition schedule.

Chicago’s roster had few shocks, with all USWNT players available and ready to go. They also signed a few of their draft picks, a couple Non-Roster Invitees, and some 2019 bubble players that stuck the rough offseason out. They also announced that Alyssa Mautz, who was just pulling out of a long-term ACL rehab, unfortunately tore an ACL again. Southside Trap wishes her nothing but the best, and we know the Red Stars will continue to be with her every step of the way:

Goalkeepers (3): Emily Boyd, Cassie Miller, Alyssa Naeher (FED-USA) 

Defenders (11): Camryn Biegalski, Julia Bingham, Tierna Davidson (FED-USA), Hannah Davison, Julie Ertz (FED-USA), Zoey Goralski, Sarah Gorden, Zoe Morse, Kayla Sharples, Casey Short (FED-USA), Bianca St. Georges 

Midfielders (7): Morgan Brian (FED-USA), Danielle Colaprico, Vanessa DiBernardo, Savannah McCaskill, Yuki Nagasato (INTL-JPN), Cassie Rohan, Ella Stevens 

Forwards (7): Makenzy Doniak, Rachel Hill, Katie Johnson, Sarah Luebbert, Zoe Redei, Michele Vasconcelos, Kealia Watt 

The Red Stars’ schedule, however…is very different. Instead of kicking off against Orlando on June 27th, Chicago will instead be taking on the Washington Spirit at the same time. And then things get further altered from there:

vs Washington Spirit, 9pm CT on June 27th

vs Portland Thorns FC, 11:30am on July 1st

vs North Carolina Courage, 11:30am on July 5th

vs Utah Royals, 9pm CT on July 12th

The Red Stars will then be guaranteed a spot in the quarterfinals, against an opponent determined through the group stage results seeding.

For extended thoughts on both the roster and the schedule, hop on over to our Patreon, where we’ll have first reactions from both us and Red Stars head coach Rory Dames