March 25, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Chicago Red Stars News Release
CHICAGO, Ill. – The Chicago Red Stars have signed forward Cheyna Matthews and defender Sami Feller. Additionally, the club has signed Brenna Lovera and Mackenzie Wood to replacement contracts due to injuries to Addie McCain and Emily Boyd.
Cheyna Matthews joins the Red Stars on a one-year contract with a one-year option. Matthews was drafted seventh overall in 2016 by the Washington Spirit. In four seasons with the Spirit, Matthews made 55 appearances with 33 starts, and scored 11 goals and recorded three assists. In 2021, Matthews joined Racing Louisville FC in their inaugural season in the National Women’s Soccer League. The forward played 17 matches with Louisville, made four starts and scored one goal. On the international level, Matthews has appearances with the US U-23 national team and the Jamaican national team. In 2019, Matthews made her World Cup debut with the Jamaican national team.
The Red Stars signed Sami Feller to a three-year contract with a one year option. Feller is a defender the University of Denver. Feller’s honors and awards while at Denver include United Soccer Coaches All-West Region First Team (2020), United Soccer All-West Region Second Team (2019, 2021), United Soccer Coaches All-West Region Third Team (2018), Summit League First Team (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021) and more. In five years at Denver, Feller played in 94 matches, started in 88, scored 34 goals and made 32 assists.
Forward, Brenna Lovera, and goalkeeper, Mackenzie Wood, were both signed to replacement player contracts due to injuries to Emily Boyd and Addie McCain.
Brenna Lovera is originally from Michigan, but is no stranger to Chicago, as the forward played four years at Northwestern University. While at Northwestern, Lovera played 74 matches, started in 57, scored 19 goals and recorded seven assists. Most recently, Lovera played for Icelandic club, Selfoss.
Mackenzie Wood is a goalkeeper from Granger, Indiana, who attended Northwestern University. In four years at Northwestern, Wood played and started in 67 matches, amassed a 28-30-9 record and recorded 19 shutouts. In 2019, Wood ranked second in the Big Ten for saves per game, averaging 4.2 per game. In 2018, Wood was named team MVP and received save of the week, Big Ten Goalkeeper of the week and Big Ten All-Freshman honors.
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