January 23, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Chicago Red Stars News Release
CHICAGO – The Chicago Red Stars have set their preseason roster ahead of the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season. 17 of the 35 players on the preseason roster are returning Red Stars, including United States Women’s National Team stars, Alyssa Naeher and Mallory Swanson.
Among the new faces at preseason training are Camryn Biegalski, Chardonnay Curran, Natalia Kuikka, Maximiliane Rall and Sam Staab, all of whom joined the club during the offseason. Biegalski joined the Red Stars from the Washington Spirit after becoming a restricted free agent at the end of 2023. Curran’s playing rights were acquired by the Red Stars after her request to be released from Kansas City was granted by the Current. Kuikka, the most recent acquisition by the club, is a defender who entered the offseason as a restricted free agent with Portland Thorns FC. The Red Stars acquired Rall from FC Bayern München for an agreed upon tranfser fee. Rall is a defender with experience playing in the Frauen-Bundesliga, the Champions League and with the German National Team. Staab, a 2023 NWSL Defender of the Year finalist, was acquired by the club during a draft-day trade between the Red Stars and the Washington Spirit.
Also joining the club for preseason are the club’s five draft picks: Hannah Anderson (Texas Tech), Bea Franklin (Arkansas), Celia Gaynor (Michigan State), Jameese Joseph (NC State) and LeiLanni Nesbeth (Florida State University).
Joining the Red Stars’ returning players and draft picks are six non-rostered invitees (NRI). Among the NRI players is Nádia Gomes, the 2023 United Soccer League W Player of the Year. Gomes spent the 2023 season with San Francisco Glens SC where she scored 16 goals, recorded eight assists and led the Glens to the semifinals in the club’s inaugural season.
Below is the Red Stars’ preseason roster by position:
Goalkeepers (3): Erin McKinney (NRI), Alyssa Naeher, Mackenzie Wood (Loan)
Defenders (11): Hannah Anderson (DRAFT), Camryn Biegalski, Sammi Feller, Celia Gaynor (DRAFT), Amanda Kowalski, Natalia Kuikka (INT, NYR), Taylor Malham, Tatumn Milazzo, Maximiliane Rall (INT, NYR), Bridget Rieken (NRI), Sam Staab
Midfielders (12): Jill Aguilera, Julia Bianchi (INT), Jenna Bike, Chardonnay Curran, Jenny Danielsson (NRI), Sam Fisher, Bea Franklin (DRAFT), Sarah Griffith, Sophie Jones, Addie McCain, LeiLanni Nesbeth (DRAFT), Cari Roccaro
Forwards (10):…