Big Line-Up Switches For Chicago Red Stars, On and Off The Field

The Chicago Red Stars have made big personnel changes both on and off the pitch. Chicago decided not to renew the contracts of Carli Lloyd and Cristiane, two of their star players and biggest names. Inaugural season champions Sky Blue FC have picked up Lloyd, while the fate of Cristiane still remains to be seen.

Defender Nikki Krzysik and forward Danesha Adams were selected in the expansion draft, with both players going to the Philadelphia Independence. Chicago has picked up Oswego native and DePaul All-American Julianne Stitch from Sky Blue FC to hopefully provide a much needed presence in the midfield.  

Meanwhile, after serving three years as President and CEO, Peter Wilt is leaving the Red Stars to take up the same position with the Milwaukee Wave. Wilt will remain one of the Red Stars owners as well as one of its board managers, as well as continue to be one of the team’s representatives on the Women’s Professional Soccer Board of Governors and as President of the Chicago Red Stars Charitable Foundation.

General Manager Marcia McDermott will take over most of Wilt’s former responsibilities.

Prior to his departure, Wilt did shed a little light on who Chicago might be looking for in the upcoming drafts. He stressed that who they’ll look for in the drafts depended heavily on whether they retained Lloyd and Cristiane. Assuming that Stitch fills the spot of Lloyd, we now have to wait and see what the future holds for the Brazilian striker.

“The individuals didn’t come together as a good enough team to play for the championship. But we still don’t want to throw the baby out with the bathwater,” said Wilt.

He was hesitant to get too specific when it came to anything, not wanting to give away strategy, but he did say they’d be looking for a center back and a midfielder in the international draft. He also said that draft day will involve a lot of game time decisions. The Red Stars will take the best player available, no matter what the position.

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