Key Transactions
During the offseason, the Chicago Red Stars named Chris Petrucelli as their new head coach. In his first season at the helm, he has led the side to the divisional round of the 2022 Challenge Cup and a 1-1-0 start to the regular season. Petrucelli joined the Red Stars from Southern Methodist University where he was the head coach for nine seasons. He also had previous stints at Old Dominion University, Notre Dame and University of Texas-Austin, on the collegiate level. Nationally, Petrucelli coached the under-21 and under-19 U.S. Women’s National Teams.
Recent Form
Chicago lost its last game of the NWSL regular season to the San Diego Wave 2-1. Due to injuries throughout the squad, the Red Stars started five rookies in the starting XI. Chicago rookie Ava Cook scored the lone goal for the Windy City side, which also served as her first professional goal. The Red Stars won their opening match of the 2022 regular season by defeating Racing Louisville FC by a score of 2-1.
Who’s Hot
Defender Bianca St-Georges has started both of the Club’s first two matches in the regular season and found the back of the net in the Red Stars’ season opener. The Canadian international also helped lead Chicago’s backline as their opponents out possessed and outshot them but only allowed one goal.
Head-to-Head
The Pride and the Red Stars squared off against one another three times in the 2021 NWSL regular season. The Pride won the first matchup thanks to goals from Jodie Taylor and Sydney Leroux ending the game with a 2-1 scoreline. Chicago answered back, winning the next matchup in Chicago, and then traveled to Exploria Stadium and escaped with a 1-0 victory.
Rasmussen University Fun Fact
Sydney Leroux scored her second goal of the regular season, each of which were netted inside of five minutes for the Pride. Leroux has now scored three of the six fastest goals in Club history, with finishes in the second, third and fourth minutes in her Orlando career.
