CHICAGO – The Chicago Red Stars unveiled the team’s roster ahead of the 2019 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) campaign.

After a fourth consecutive playoff run, the Red Stars roster returns 16 players from last years roster including captain Julie Ertz and back-to-back NWSL Golden Boot Winner Sam Kerr. Other key players returning for the 2019 season include defenders Katie Naughton, Casey Short and Arin Wright (formerly Gilliland), midfielders Danielle Colaprico, Vanessa DiBernardo and Alyssa Mautz, and forward Yuki Nagasato.

Chicago added strong attacking presence with the acquisition of forward Katie Johnson, who was the co-leader in goals for Sky Blue FC in 2018. At the start of the 2019 NWSL Preseason, the Red Stars signed U.S. Women’s National Team defender Tierna Davidson, who was selected with the first overall draft pick at the 2019 College Draft.

Following a strong preseason, Chicago signed two new players to contracts – Maria Sanchez and Zoey Goralski. Rookie selection Sanchez impressed all preseason, notching two assists in three games and adds international experience to the roster as a member of the Mexican National Team. The 15th overall pick in the College Draft out of Santa Clara, she led all NCAA Division I players in assists with 16 during the 2018 season.

Goralski was drafted by Chicago in 2018, training with the first team and being a National Team Replacement for the Red Stars match against Sky Blue FC on July 28, 2018. A graduate from UCLA, she played for the Red Stars Reserves in the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL), helping them win the 2018 WPSL Central Regional Championship.

Earlier today, Chicago made a move looking towards the future, acquiring a 2020 first round pick from Reign FC.

Chicago opens their season on the road against NWSL Champions North Carolina Courage on Saturday, April 13. The Red Stars open at SeatGeek Stadium on April 20 in a doubleheader with the Chicago Fire. Tickets are available here.

2019 Chicago Red Stars Roster:

Rostered Players:

Goalkeepers (2): Emily Boyd, Alyssa Naeher (FED-USA)

Defenders (7): Tierna Davidson, Brooke Elby, Zoey Goralski, Sarah Gorden, Katie Naughton, Casey Short (FED-USA), Arin Wright

Midfielders (8): Morgan Brian (FED-USA), Danielle Colaprico, Vanessa DiBernardo, Julie Ertz (FED-USA), Alyssa Mautz, Maria Sanchez, Nikki Stanton, Michele Vasconcelos

Forwards (3): Katie Johnson, Sam Kerr (INTL-AUS), Yuki Nagasato (INTL-JPN)

Federation Players (FED): 4

International Players (INTL): 2