Red Stars Head Coach Emma Hayes is in San Francisco this week watching Stanford, UCLA, USC, USF,
and Santa Clara women's soccer teams play. I thought it would be fun to ask her the WPS series of
"Off the Field" questions we collect from the players. Hey, coaches have favorite TV shows and
i-pod apps, too!
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(Editors Note: We profiled Jill Oakes shortly before the start of the WPS season. A high
school and college soccer standout, Jill just wrapped her first season as a pro and will be a
regular contributor to Pretty Tough as she, and the league, gear up for a second season).
As I reflect on the roller-coaster ride I like to call the inaugural WPS season, my own personal
journey reads with the same dramatic exclamations of a thrilling 1920's newspaper headline.
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(Editors Note: We profiled Jill Oakes shortly before the start of the WPS season. A high
school and college soccer standout, Jill just wrapped her first season as a pro and will be a
regular contributor to Pretty Tough as she, and the league, gear up for a second season).
As I reflect on the roller-coaster ride I like to call the inaugural WPS season, my own personal
journey reads with the same dramatic exclamations of a thrilling 1920's newspaper headline.
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Chicago forces Sol to allow season-high goal total
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - Heading into the 2009 Women's Professional Soccer season, the Los Angeles Sol
and Chicago Red Stars were thought to be two of the better organizations to take home the inaugural
title.
The Sol have lived up to their billing, securing a place in the title game.
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The WPS home page and standings page are afraid to admit it, apparently, but Chicago is out of the
playoffs. I'm guessing it's because "See the Sol and Red Stars jog around for two hours!" isn't a
recipe for FSC ratings gold.
Nevertheless, we must not quail from the truth. The Red Stars have 17 points, and two games left =
maximum of 23 points.
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Chicago eliminated from WPS playoff picture, falls in closing minutes
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - The Chicago Red Stars have been prone to allowing late, game changing goals
throughout their inaugural Women's Professional Soccer season. It happened once again Sunday
afternoon as the Washington Freedom won, 3-2, in front of 5,226 spectators at Toyota Park.
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The photo above was taken by Howard C. Smith at isiphotos.net.
Let's Identify Ways to Support Women in Coaching
The lacking presence of female coaches at the highest levels of sport is a challenge that the
American soccer coaching community is actively looking to improve.
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Hanks' stoppage-time goal dooms Chicago
The Chicago Red Stars' playoff hopes for their inaugural Women's Professional Soccer campaign hit
an all-time low Sunday. Sky Blue FC's Kerri Hanks scored in second-half stoppage time en route to a
1-0 victory over Chicago at Yurcak Stadium in Piscataway, N.
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Cristiane nets first hat trick in WPS history
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - Momentum has been difficult to find for the Chicago Red Stars in their Women's
Professional Soccer debut. And with a road trip and some key absences on the horizon, a victory
Sunday was of the essence.
Thankfully for the Red Stars, Brazilian sensation Cristiane is heating up with her play making
abilities, and she did so in a big way with the first hat trick in WPS history as Chicago earned
its second straight win, defeating FC Gold Pride, 3-1, at Toyota Park.
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The Chicago Red Stars out-shot the Ireland Women's National Team, 16-2, on Sunday. But it was
Ireland that tallied the game's lone goal in a 1-0 exhibition victory over the Women's Professional
Soccer squad at Benedictine University in Lisle.
Ireland's Aine O'Gorman scored on a breakaway in the 40th minute for a lead that held up the rest
of the way.
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Chicago wins for 1st time since April, ends 451-minute scoreless skid
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - The Women's Professional Soccer season has been on the short end scoring wise,
though it was a bit surprising that no team to this point ever erased a deficit and won the
game.
The Chicago Red Stars became the first, and in the process ended an assortment of droughts.
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Chicago drops 2nd straight and 4th straight at home
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - The Chicago Red Stars are in last place in Women's Professional Soccer. And
coach Emma Hayes was pretty dramatic with her starting lineup choices.
On the bench: Brazilian forward Cristiane, midfielder Megan Rapinoe and midfielder Carli Lloyd.
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Chicago suffers first road loss, drops to last place in WPS
The Chicago Red Stars' four-game road trip ended on a sour note as they fell to Sky Blue FC, 1-0,
on Wednesday at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, N.J., in Women's Professional Soccer play.
Chicago had managed three straight road draws, but fell in the loss column when New Jersey's Rosana
scored an unassisted goal in the 24th minute.
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Chicago's late lead short-lived; team settles for draw in L.A.The Chicago Red Stars rode a tidal wave of swings during Wednesday's Women's Professional Soccer
match against the league-leading Los Angeles Sol. It went from survival on the defensive side, to a
clutch goal and lead with several minutes remaining, to allowing a heartbreaking equalizer.
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Red Stars hope to end skid, scoreless drought
Few teams in Women's Professional Soccer can say they have had a dominant stretch in this inaugural
season. But one can - the Los Angeles Sol.
The Chicago Red Stars, in the midst of a three-game slide and a 308-minute scoreless drought, hope
to at least act as a speed bump within the Sol's smooth season.
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image via Chicago Red Stars
This week's guest on the Jared Montz Soccer Podcast is Chicago Red Stars forward, Ella Masar.Â
On the pod she talked about what it is like playing in the WPS, how the Red stars are doing, how it
will feel to score her first goal for the Red Stars, how she is adjusting to life in the big city,
the style of her English coach Emma Hayes, took some user submitted questions, talked about her
personal blog, and previewed their upcoming game against the LA SOL.
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Chicago drops third straight; Lloyd injures knee in WNT trainingBRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - Typically, one shot does not add up to two goals. But that is what the Chicago
Red Stars surrendered to St. Louis Athletica on Saturday.
A couple of unfortunate defensive circumstances cost the Red Stars late in the first half as St.
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With 4 out for WNT duty, other Chicago players take on added role
For those of you Chicago Red Stars fans who took advantage of the ticket deal that includes a
Lindsay Tarpley Bobblehead, you won't be seeing the actual player on the field. Or three others for
that matter this Saturday.
Midfielders Tarpley, Megan Rapinoe and Carli Lloyd, and defender Marian Dalmy are training with the
Women's National Team for an exhibition against Canada two days later.
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Chicago drops 2nd straight home matchBRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - Both the Chicago Red Stars and FC Gold Pride were coming off of disappointing
shutout losses last week in Women's Professional Soccer play. The Bay Area turned the tide, but
Chicago could not break through with a goal.
The Gold Pride topped the Red Stars, 1-0, on Saturday night at Toyota Park, and Chicago (2-2-2)
dropped its second straight during a five-game home stand.
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Chicago tries to rebound from last week's shutout lossThe Chicago Red Stars (2-1-2) attempt to rebound from a difficult loss when they host the Bay
Area's FC Gold Pride (2-3-1) for the first time in Women's Professional Soccer league action at
7:30 p.m. Saturday at Toyota Park.
Chicago is coming off a 2-0 defeat against Sky Blue FC, while FC Gold Pride is coming off a 1-0
defeat against St.
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Chicago suffers first loss; New Jersey garners first winBRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - Coming off their best game of the season, the Chicago Red Stars clearly
registered their worst performance of the 2009 season. Sky Blue FC held an advantage in virtually
aspect of its game as New Jersey earned its first victory, 2-0, on Sunday in Women's Professional
Soccer play at Toyota Park.
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Chicago vying for second straight home victory
Only a few weeks have passed since the Chicago Red Stars hosted Sky Blue FC. Both Women's
Professional Soccer teams are back at it again this Sunday for a 5 p.m. rematch at Toyota Park
(televised on Fox Soccer Channel).
The Red Stars (2-0-2) erupted with their best offensive production against the Boston Breakers a
couple weeks ago.
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The WPS is gearing up to celebrate Mother's Day this weekend.
Saint Louis and Los Angeles are both marking the occasion with special ticket deals. The
Athletica are giving 'moms' a free gift, even though they play on Saturday, while in California the
Sol are offering post-match family photos with players.
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We've seen their play on the field. But a new challenge awaits as the Chicago Red Stars step up to
the mic at Wrigley Field.
The Women's Professional Soccer team will be singing the seventh inning stretch during Monday's
Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants game. The game starts at 7:05 p.m. and is televised on WCIU.
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Red Stars schedule exhibition at FC Indiana on Saturday
Cuauhtemoc Blanco and the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer welcome in Club de Futbol America of
the Primera Division for a 7:30 p.m. friendly Wednesday at Toyota Park.
Blanco takes on his former Club America team for what could be the biggest crowd to date this year
at Toyota Park.
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Chicago leapfrogs Boston for 2nd in WPS standingsBRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - Chicago Red Stars fans were waiting for their home team to light up the
scoreboard. The offense was in full effect Saturday night at Toyota Park with the most dominating
offensive display so far in Women's Professional Soccer.
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Brazilian not available following Wednesday's international friendly
The Chicago Red Stars' defense is back to full strength, but Chicago (1-0-2) will be without
Brazilian striker Cristiane when it hosts the Boston Breakers (2-1-0) in Women's Professional
Soccer action this Saturday at Toyota Park (7:30 p.
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I was in Chicago this weekend for their home opener. I'd been to two Opening matches already -
LA Sol vs. Washington Freedom, and FC Gold Pride vs. Boston Breakers, both were very cool. Los
Angeles hosted the Inaugural Match, which by all accounts was the most awesome event I've ever
helped organize.
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Chicago remains unbeaten in home debut at Toyota ParkBRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - The Chicago Red Stars drew 5,824 fans in their home opener despite rainy
conditions, and the team itself played to a scoreless draw against Sky Blue FC on Sunday in Women's
Professional Soccer play at Toyota Park.
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Chicago hosts Sky Blue FC on Sunday; game televised on FSC
Just how good is this brand-new Chicago Red Stars squad? Now is the opportunity for Chicagoans to
get a firsthand look as the Red Stars (1-0-1) host Sky Blue FC (0-1-1) in Women's Professional
Soccer play this Saturday at Toyota Park (5 p.
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BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - The Chicago Red Stars of Women's Professional Soccer held their first-ever media
day (a week later than originally scheduled). The team is coming off a 1-0-1 road trip in its
inaugural season, and now the Red Stars can call Toyota Park their home base for the next five
matches. Chicago hosts Sky Blue FC this Sunday (5 p.
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Lindsay Tarpley scored a second-half goal as the Chicago Red Stars won their Women's Professional
Soccer opener over St. Louis Athletica, 1-0, on Saturday at Ralph Korte Stadium in Edwardsville,
Ill.
A shade over 5,000 people attended the match, and from the sound of it through several Web posts, a
nice chunk of Red Stars supporters were on hand.
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span style="font-style:italic;"Cristiane out with minor knee injury/spanbr /br /It has been a long
prelude, but now the Chicago Red Stars open their first chapter. Chicago battles in the second
Women's Professional Soccer league game Saturday when the team faces host St. Louis Athletica (7
p.m. start) at Korte Stadium in Edwardsville, Ill.
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WPS, and our Commissioner in particular, recognizes the unique opportunity social media presents
us. I've started to compile a comprehensive list of all the WPS Tweeters. Here's the ones I already
know are in the Twitter-mix off-hand (more will follow - I will keep a comprehensive list for you
here and on my Big Soccer blog).
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The Guardian.co.uk has released an interactive chalkboard application on their website. Where did
they get all the data, and what's next? SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Will the Guardian.co.uk
Interactive Chalkboards Catch On?", url:
"http://www.amandavandervort.com/blog/2009/02/will-the-guardiancouk-interactive-chalkboards-catch-on/"
});
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