The 2018/19 W-League season saw more National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) players tearing it up on Australian shores than ever before.
Many of these players are now back in the US preparing for the 2019 NWSL season, which kicks off on April 14.
Here is Beyond90’s Quick Guide to the NWSL so that you can keep track of where all your favourite Australian and international W-League players will be headed for the upcoming NWSL season.
CHICAGO RED STARS
Head Coach:
Rory Dames
2018 Record:
(W-D-L) 9-10-5
Overview and Notable Players:
From the 2018 NWSL season, 18 players will return to Chicago, including Golden Boot winner and Best Xl Sam Kerr. Despite starting the 2018 season five weeks late due to international duties, Kerr finished the season with league-leading 16 goals and 1,704 minutes playing time over 19 games.
Additionally, joining the Red Stars will be six players from the 2019 NWSL College Draft, including the top overall pick and U.S. Women’s National Team defender Tierna Davidson. Other U.S. WNT players returning are Julie Ertz, Alyssa Naeher, and Casey Short. The Red Stars also add offensive threat, Mexico WNT forward Katie Johnson.
The team kicks off the regular season on the road against North Carolina Courage on April 13, 2019. The following weekend, the Red Stars will host powerhouse Portland Thorns FC for their home opener.
Australian players:
After a stellar 2018 season for her club teams and the Matildas, Sam Kerr returns to the team as the perennial leader. Kerr holds the record for most goals scored in both NWSL and W-League. Her 16 goals for Chicago in 2018 earned Kerr the NWSL Golden Boot award for the second year in a row. She then followed up this feat by taking out her second W-League Golden Boot award for the 2018/19 season with 17 goals in 13 games. Kerr is the first in NWSL and W-League history to win that honour in both competitions in consecutive years.
W-League Notes:
After two seasons with Adelaide United, Danielle Colaprico joined Sydney FC in 2018, helping the team win the W-League Premiership. Colaprico’s stellar play also helped her earn a much-coveted U.S. WNT call-up.
It’s not often that four big players get the opportunity of playing together almost year-round. The Red Stars have that advantage by fielding a slew of Perth Glory players, including Kerr, Katie Naughton, Alyssa Mautz, and Nikki Stanton.
Japan striker Yuki Nagasato made her W-League debut in 2018 with Brisbane Roar. During the 2018 NWSL season, Nagasato’s unique chemistry with Kerr was intricate in helping to launch the Red Stars into the playoffs.
Media:
Website: http://chicagoredstars.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chiredstarsPR
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chicagoredstars/
Where to watch:
All 2019 NWSL games will be available to livestream. US-based viewers can watch games live and free via Yahoo Sports, while international viewers can watch via the league’s official website, nwslsoccer.com.
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