In Major League Soccer (MLS) and the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), two of the top-tier professional soccer leagues in the United States , allocation money represents an amount of money that teams can use to sign players or allocate to their salaries in order to remain compliant with the leagues' salary caps .
63-428: MLS teams receive general allocation money for these reasons: MLS teams receive targeted allocation money for these reasons: All numbers are for 2018 season . General allocation money can be used in several ways: General allocation money must be used within 30 days of the close of the third full MLS transfer window after it was acquired. If a quantity of general allocation money is not used within that timeframe, it
126-556: A coach. Yates's investigation also found that Whisler neglected to run a background check on Dames before hiring him. On October 4, 2022, the day after Yates's report was released, Whisler resigned from the NWSL Board of Directors, giving up operational control of the Red Stars. On December 2, 2022, Whisler announced his intention to sell the team. On January 9, 2023, Whisler and the Red Stars were fined $ 1.5 million, and Dames
189-700: A curved marquee shape as a homage to the many theaters in Chicago, as well as the classic marquee of the Cubs' Wrigley Field stadium." During the team's membership in Women's Professional Soccer , the Chicago Red Stars played at Toyota Park. Now known as SeatGeek Stadium , it is a 20,000-seat soccer-specific stadium which was the home of the Chicago Fire FC from 2006 to 2019. From 2011 to 2015, in
252-483: A four-year deal worth more than $ 1.1 million, at $ 281,000 base salary per season. The league's individual player salary cap in 2022 was $ 75,000, requiring more than $ 200,000 of Rodman's salary per season to be paid with allocation money. In 2023, the league expanded the use of allocation money to reduce the salary cap burden of a player's total compensation, including bonuses, fees, and benefits. Teams could initially purchase up to $ 300,000 in allocation money. As of 2023,
315-432: A group of Chicago business leaders led by Laura Ricketts had agreed in principle to purchase the Chicago Red Stars. On September 1, 2023, it was announced that the club had been acquired for $ 60 million by the group led by Ricketts. On October 23, 2024 the team announced a name change to "Chicago Stars Football Club", dropping "Red" and adding "Football Club", to take effect during the 2024–25 offseason. In 2006, it
378-792: A league record 71 points, while Atlanta United FC won their first MLS Cup in their second year in the league. Note: All teams use Adidas as kit manufacturer. During the 2018 MLS regular season, each team played 34 games, including 17 home games and 17 away games. Teams faced each of their conference opponents (10 in the East, 11 in the West) twice during the season with one game at home and one game away. Western Conference teams played one additional intra-conference game and Eastern Conference teams played two. All teams faced each non-conference opponent once. Ranked from highest to lowest average attendance. Regular season The MLS SuperDraft
441-400: A nine-day hiatus in early June for the 2018 FIFA World Cup , reduced from previous breaks. Los Angeles FC joined the league as an expansion franchise, while D.C. United debuted their new soccer-specific stadium , Audi Field . Toronto FC were the defending Supporters' Shield champions and defending MLS Cup champions. New York Red Bulls won their third Supporters' Shield, with
504-417: A player. Either targeted allocation money or general allocation money may be used on a player in a single season, not both. Amounts of allocation money held by each team are not disclosed to the general public. Only in the case of a trade will the amount of allocation money involved be made public. Twice in league history, an allocation received for a lost player was used on the same player upon his return to
567-464: A team actually has to use the amount within four windows. Rather, they merely have to notify the league of how they plan on using their expiring targeted allocation money – allocating a specific amount to a specific player – in the following window by the end of the fourth window after it was acquired. If they do not do that, that amount expires. Targeted allocation money and general allocation money may not be used in combination when signing or re-signing
630-432: A youth player Dames coached at Chicago Eclipse Select . The allegations went further, including multiple players claiming to have had a sexual relationship with Dames when they played for him at Eclipse. An accuser claimed that sex "felt almost expected". The verbal abuse also included constant name-calling. Dames' role in the founding of Elite Clubs National League , an elite group of youth soccer clubs of which he sat on
693-527: Is an annual event, taking place in January of each year, in which the teams of Major League Soccer select players who have graduated from college or otherwise been signed by the league. The first two rounds of 2018 MLS SuperDraft were held on January 19 in Philadelphia . Rounds three and four of the 2018 SuperDraft were held via conference call on January 21. Los Angeles FC selected João Moutinho with
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#1732801466013756-424: Is halved by the league. That halved amount is then available for use during the next two transfer windows. If it is still not used after those transfer windows, the quantity is no longer available for use. Targeted allocation money can be used in several ways: Targeted allocation money must be applied, if not necessarily used, within four MLS transfer windows of its acquisition. In this case, "applied" does not mean
819-533: The 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft . The Red Stars also traded 2021 Iron women Sarah Gorden and the rights to USWNT player Julie Ertz to Angel City FC for expansion draft protection. The Red Stars also traded Nikki Stanton to OL Reign and backup goalkeeper Cassie Miller to Kansas City Current . The Red Stars drafted five players in the 2022 NWSL Draft and rostered three of the five: Ava Cook , Sammi Fisher and Sarah Griffith . The Red Stars welcomed back Yuki Nagasato from Louisville. Additionally, Kealia Watt
882-717: The Chicago metropolitan area that competes in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). A founding member of the Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) league, they have played in the NWSL since 2013. The Red Stars play their home games at SeatGeek Stadium . The Red Stars played in WPS in 2009 and 2010. After leaving WPS in December 2010 due to the club's financial issues, the club joined the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) for
945-605: The North Carolina Courage in Cary with a goal in the 89th minute. For the team's tenth season and sixth in the NWSL, the team qualified for the fourth consecutive year for the playoffs and lost 2–0 in the semifinal to the North Carolina Courage. The Red Stars made the finals for the first time in NWSL history, clinching their fifth consecutive playoff spot on September 21, 2019, after defeating
1008-818: The Women's Premier Soccer League , Women's Premier Soccer League Elite league and National Women's Soccer League , the Red Stars played at the 3,000-seat Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex . During the club's 2012 WPSL Elite season, some matches were played at the Concordia University Chicago Athletic Complex in River Forest, Illinois and the Lakeside Athletic Field at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois due to renovation at Benedictine University. In December 2015,
1071-584: The Women's United Soccer Association 's Carolina Courage , was named as the Red Stars' general manager. On June 3, 2008, the "Red Stars" name was announced at a Toyota Park ceremony. The name refers to the four six-pointed red stars on the flag of Chicago . Each star represents a landmark event in Chicago history: Fort Dearborn , the Great Chicago Fire , the 1893 World's Fair , and the 1933 World's Fair . Other names considered were Progress, Towers , Union, Blues , 1871 , and Wind . "Red Stars"
1134-417: The 2011 season. In 2012, the Red Stars co-founded and played in Women's Premier Soccer League Elite (WPSL-E): a one-year league which bridged the WPS and the NWSL. The club became a founding member of the NWSL, which was financially supported by U.S. Soccer , in 2012. In October 2022, they held the record for the longest active playoff streak (2015–2022) in the NWSL. It was announced on August 15, 2023 that
1197-463: The Best XI while Tatumn Milazzo was named to the 2nd Best XI. The Red Stars finished the year with a record of 11W, 8D and 10L. The club's original primary logo combined two Chicago images; the shape of the shield is taken from its equivalent in Chicago's city seal. The colors, stripes, and stars in the logo are inspired by the symbolism of Chicago's municipal flag, with the blue stripes representing
1260-537: The Board of Directors, and his role with the Chicago Red Stars and NWSL , played a role in players not speaking up, according to accusers. Players and parents were afraid Dames "could ruin the chance at a scholarship or a spot in the professional league" if they spoke up. An accuser said that "the monopoly over Chicago soccer, our belief that his connection to the college world was the only connection we would have — he used all of that to get away with doing and saying whatever
1323-538: The Chicago Red Stars announced their return to Toyota Park for their 2016 NWSL home games. FC Indiana owners Gary Weaver, Dale Weaver, and Shek Borkowski began the idea for what started as "Chicago Professional Women’s Soccer” and evidentially became the Chicago Red Stars. The FC Indiana owners brought in Peter Wilt to lead their efforts in establishing the team, and they assembled a broad ownership group. The Chicago Professional Women's Soccer investor group owned
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#17328014660131386-403: The NWSL playoffs the option to purchase $ 100,000 in additional allocation money during the following calendar year. Teams could initially spend allocation money on player salaries that exceeded the individual player maximum limit, for bonuses to players winning awards, as compensation for players with at least three national team appearances in the last two years or at least five seasons played in
1449-634: The Orange County Waves (another WPSL team with WPS connections; Brittany Klein, a 2009–10 Red Stars player, was on the Waves). In 2012, the Red Stars joined the former WPS Boston Breakers and Western New York Flash to found the WPSL Elite League. Five other former WPSL teams joined the league: ASA Chesapeake Charge , F.C. Indiana , New England Mutiny , New York Fury , and Philadelphia Fever . The Red Stars finished fourth in
1512-546: The Red Stars announced further additions to the club's ownership group, including Aimee Garcia , Josh Dixon, Bela Bajaria , Channing Dungey and spouse Scott Power, Keli Lee, Devin Johnson and daughter Carys Johnson, Ken Kaufman, Nora Mabie, Kim Vender Moffat, Stephen Moffat, Todd Vender, Nick Coleman, Jon Moonves, Jim Allen, Graham Allen, and Kirk Allen. On August 18, 2022, the NWSL announced that it had hired Haddon as chief marketing officer, and that Haddon had divested from
1575-708: The Red Stars announced that head coach Rory Dames had resigned effective immediately. Later that day, The Washington Post sports reporter Molly Hensley-Clancy reported that prior to resigning, The Post had approached the Red Stars Front Office with allegations from players, both previous and current, of abuse by Dames. The Post also provided documentation of reports made to United States Soccer Federation by players such as Christen Press as far back as 2014, detailing abuse, harassment, and inappropriate use of his power as head coach to manipulate players. “Three former Red Stars players, including one who played on
1638-405: The Red Stars finished 6th to clinch the final playoff spot and move on for the 7th consecutive season. This was decided after a 2–0 victory over Angel City FC. In the playoffs, the Red Stars traveled to San Diego and lost 2–1 in extra time after Alex Morgan scored her 16th goal of the regular season. Mallory Pugh finished as the team's leader in scoring (11 goals) and assists (6). She was named to
1701-699: The Red Stars from 2009 to 2010, during the team's membership in Women's Professional Soccer . The team's 2009 management group was Gary Weaver, Jim Willett, Arnim Whisler, and Peter Wilt. The teams's 2010 management group was Gary Weaver, Jim Willett, and Arnim Whisler. The Illinois Women's Soccer League (IWSL) was a partner. In addition to the IWSL, the team ownership included shareholders John (Jack) Cummins, Robert and Susan Morrison, Jim and Kathi Willett, Dale Weaver, Gary Weaver, Pin Ni, Dong Li, Arnim Whisler, Dean Egerter, Stephen Ritchie and Peter Wilt . Arnim Whisler took over
1764-403: The Red Stars prior to taking the job. On October 10, 2022, Red Stars players called on Whisler to sell the club. The letter followed the publication of reports of his role in the 2021 NWSL abuse scandal . Whisler announced on December 5 that he would sell the team, and that investment bank Inner Circle Sports would facilitate the sale. On September 1, 2023, Whisler and all minority owners of
1827-466: The Red Stars received Shannon Boxx , Amy LePeilbet , and Keelin Winters ; only Boxx had limited playing time that season. The Red Stars began the season with two draws and four losses. The mid-season arrival of Germans Sonja Fuss and Inka Grings revived the team somewhat, but not enough to qualify for the playoffs. The Red Stars played 22 matches with eight wins, six draws, and eight losses to finish
1890-532: The Red Stars sold their stakes to an investment group led by Laura Ricketts and including Angela E.L. Barnes, Traci P. Beck, Pittsburgh Penguins partner Debra Cafaro , Laura Desmond, Sidney Dillard, Megan Murphy, Editha Paras, Jennifer Pritzker , Hilary Rosen , Jessica Droste Yagan, Tom O'Reilly, and the Engelhardt family. The transaction valued the team at $ 35.5 million and included an additional $ 25 million in investment into club operations. It
1953-401: The Red Stars' 2010 squad. The team was coached by Chicago native Rory Dames, and continued their activity in the Chicago soccer community through their soccer camps. The Red Stars finished the regular season with a 10–1 record, hosting the playoff semifinals and championship matches. Defeating Tampa Bay Hellenic 2–1 in their semifinal, they lost in overtime by the same score in the final to
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2016-577: The Washington Spirit 3–1. Forward Sam Kerr scored her 18th goal of the season in that game, breaking the record for goals scored in an NWSL season which she had set with Sky Blue FC in 2017. The Red Stars defeated the Portland Thorns 1–0 in a semifinal home game, and lost 4–0 to the North Carolina Courage in the final. Their season record was 14 wins, two draws, and eight losses. Chicago ended their season in fourth place, becoming
2079-644: The club's September 25 match against Portland Thorns FC on WXFT-DT and WRTO AM . On November 22, 2021, The Washington Post published an article with allegations from players, both previous and current, of abuse by head coach Rory Dames. The Post provided documentation of reports made to the United States Soccer Federation by players, including Christen Press , as far back as 2014, detailing abuse, harassment, and inappropriate use of power as head coach to manipulate players. "Three former Red Stars players, including one who played on
2142-415: The compensation received in return is another club's Allocation ranking. Following the 2019 season , the NWSL introduced its own form of allocation money to allow teams a limited ability to exceed the league's team and player salary caps. The new system was notably similar to the general allocation money deployed by MLS. The NWSL sets a base limit of allocation money for teams each season. Teams must pay
2205-673: The cup final was played at the same time as their final WPSL Elite regular-season match against the eventual third-place New York Fury . In November 2012, the Red Stars co-founded and was one of the original eight teams in a yet-to-be-named women's professional soccer league in concert with United States Soccer Federation , the Canadian Soccer Association , and the Mexican Football Federation . The league began competition in spring 2013. All NWSL teams received an allocation of USWNT players, and
2268-491: The extension of free agency to all players. 2018 Major League Soccer season The 2018 Major League Soccer season was the 23rd season of Major League Soccer , top division of soccer in the United States and Canada. The regular season began on March 3, 2018 and concluded on October 28, 2018. The MLS Cup Playoffs began on October 31, 2018 and concluded with MLS Cup 2018 on December 8, 2018. The league took
2331-535: The first overall pick. The allocation ranking is the mechanism used to determine which MLS club has first priority to acquire a player who is in the MLS allocation list. The MLS allocation list contains select U.S. National Team players and players transferred outside of MLS garnering a transfer fee of at least $ 500,000. The allocations are ranked in reverse order of finish for the 2017 season, taking playoff performance into account. As an expansion team, Los Angeles FC took
2394-534: The first team in the NWSL to make the playoffs for six consecutive seasons. At the end of the regular season, the Red Stars named defender Sarah Gorden the team's first Iron Woman, an honor awarded for playing every minute of the season. The Red Stars faced the Washington Spirit at the NWSL Championship, held in Louisville, but lost 2–1 on overtime. On Monday, November 22, 2021, just after midnight,
2457-566: The hell he wanted to us." Initially, Arnim Whisler, the owner and chairman of the Red Stars, denied any knowledge of or complicity in Dames's abuse, claiming that "I have always strived to ensure that everyone hired in our environment is of high character and shares our positive values." However, an investigation by former U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates revealed that not only had Whisler known about Dames's abusive behavior for years, but he had chosen to ignore it, given Dames's successful record as
2520-420: The late arrival of international stars, at the end of May the team had six wins, one draw, and two losses; its performance was aided by rookies Julie Johnston , Vanessa DiBernardo , Hayley Brock , young players Jen Hoy , Rachel Quon , veterans Lori Chalupny and Michelle Wenino , and goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc . With a mid-season slump (one win in 11 matches during June and July), the team did not qualify for
2583-594: The league to use their allowance of allocation money in transactions, and allocation money that a team purchased but did not use in one season is carried over to the following season. The league can also award allocation money as compensation for certain losses. For example, the 2022 NWSL Expansion Draft , San Diego Wave FC and Angel City FC each received $ 150,000 in funded allocation money, but if those teams selected an unprotected federation player from another team, they would have to compensate that team from this fund. The league also grants teams that fail to qualify for
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2646-405: The league's allocation money limit was $ 600,000. Teams can also trade for allocation money with other teams above and beyond their base limits. The first such trade was made between Chicago Red Stars and Utah Royals FC in 2020, in which Chicago traded the eighth overall pick in the 2020 NWSL College Draft in exchange for $ 60,000 of allocation money. In January 2024, the league announced that
2709-494: The league's funding requirements for the 2011 season; the league folded in 2011 for financial and legal reasons. The Red Stars joined the Women's Premier Soccer League in 2011. They played their home games at Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex , in west-suburban Chicago. The roster consisted of players from the women's national team U-20 and U-23 pools and collegiate players. The first players announced included three with WPS experience, including two from
2772-476: The league, making the playoffs. They advanced to the final, where they lost to the Flash in a 2–4 penalty shootout after a 1–1 draw at the end of extra time. Red Stars Ella Masar and Lori Chalupny were injured on the same play in the 33rd minute. WNY scored the equalizer in regulation with a 40-yard goal in the 97th minute to reach overtime. The Red Stars won the 2012 National Women's Cup with half their roster, since
2835-506: The league, or toward certain team expenses such as transfer and loan fees to acquire players from other leagues. Teams could not use allocation money to compensate NWSL federation players who were paid by the United States or Canadian national federations, but could use it to compensate formerly allocated players. Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman signed the largest NWSL contract facilitated by allocation money in February 2022, for
2898-749: The league: by the Chicago Fire on Ante Razov and by the New England Revolution on Daniel Hernandez . Allocation money is not to be confused with the MLS Allocation Order, which is a ranking used to determine which MLS club has first priority to acquire a player who is in MLS allocation list. MLS allocation list contains select U.S. National Team players and players transferred outside of MLS garnering transfer fee of at least $ 500,000. Along with Allocation Money, Allocation Order rankings can be traded, provided that part of
2961-677: The national team were training for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup during weeks five and six. Rookie Sofia Huerta scored multiple goals in two matches, and was named the NWSL Player of the Week for weeks five and six and the May NWSL Player of the Month . The team was in first place from week four to week 13 of the regular season, ultimately finishing second. In the playoffs, they lost the semi-final to FC Kansas City . The team ended
3024-569: The playoffs and was edged out by head-to-head results with the Washington Spirit . The Red Stars began the 2015 season with three home games: a 3–2 win over the previous season's Supporting Shield winner Seattle Reign FC , a 2–2 draw with Portland Thorns FC , and a 1–0 win against Sky Blue FC. Christen Press scored four of the club's first five goals, and was named the April Player of the Month . Red Stars who were also members of
3087-409: The regular season in third place, and advanced to the playoffs. They played the semi-final at Boyds, Maryland against the Washington Spirit on September 30, losing 2–1. The Red Stars returned to Toyota Park for home games for the first time since their 2010 WPS season. For the third consecutive season, the Red Stars made the post-season playoffs. They were eliminated in the semi-final, losing 1–0 to
3150-506: The season in sixth place. In 2014, the Red Stars finished in fifth place. The club was waiting for United States international player Christen Press to join after completing her commitment to a European club, and the Canadian international player Melissa Tancredi to gain full fitness after college. The team signed two other internationals, Abby Erceg and Emily van Egmond , in May. Despite
3213-518: The season in sixth place. The Red Stars finished second in league attendance in 2009, behind the LA Sol. Agreeing to see the Red Stars through their first season, Peter Wilt stepped down as CEO at the end of 2009 to become general manager of the Milwaukee Wave (his hometown NISL team). General manager Marcia McDermott assumed many of Wilt's responsibilities, although he continued to support
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#17328014660133276-564: The system of allocation money would be phased out in favor of a salary cap increase, intraleague transfer funds, and a net transfer fee threshold. Allocation money would no longer be purchasable or tradeable as a result. This preceded broader changes to league roster rules announced in August during the 2024 season as part of a renegotiated collective bargaining agreement , including the elimination of drafts and discovery systems for player entry and league expansion, increased minimum salaries, and
3339-801: The team after the 2010 season, and continued to operate it for the 2011 season in the WPSL while helping to reorganize the WPS. Whisler remained its sole owner until 2021. On March 1, 2021, the Red Stars announced a new ownership group led by co-founder (and majority owner) Arnim Whisler and his family. In addition to Whisler, the ownership group is led by founding members Dean Egerter and Steve Ritchie and includes additional members Jessie Becker, Julie Haddon, Israel Idonije , Jordan Levin , Abel Lezcano, Colleen Mares, Michael Raimondi, Kendall Coyne Schofield , Michael Schofield , Sarah Spain , Marie Tillman, Brian Walsh, Kevin Willer, and David M. Zapata. On May 4, 2021,
3402-478: The team at the time of the investigation, told The Post that they had wanted to speak to U.S. Soccer investigators but had never heard from them," reported Molly Hensley-Clancy. "Two had left the team because of Dames's abuse, they said." In February 2022, the Washington Post published a follow-up story reporting claims of misconduct dating back to the late 1990s, including a 1998 police report involving
3465-434: The team at the time of the investigation, told The Post that they had wanted to speak to U.S. Soccer investigators but had never heard from them,” reported Hensley-Clancy. “Two had left the team because of Dames's abuse, they said.” A busy offseason saw the Red Stars trade Makenzy Doniak , Katie Johnson and 2021 college draftee Kelsey Turnbow who never played in a Red Stars uniform to San Diego Wave FC for protection in
3528-593: The team on the league's board of governors and as president of the Chicago Red Stars Charitable Foundation. The Red Stars began their second season with high hopes and new faces. They lost their first game at Sky Blue FC 1–0, after dominating much of the game. A 1–1 home tie in their second game earned the Stars their first point of the season. After a successful season, the team left WPS on December 13 because they were unable to meet
3591-486: The top spot. Once the club uses its allocation ranking to acquire a player, it drops to the bottom of the list. A ranking can be traded provided that part of the compensation received in return is another club's ranking. At all times each club is assigned one ranking. The rankings reset at the end of each MLS season. Chicago Red Stars The Chicago Red Stars ( Chicago Stars Football Club starting in 2025) are an American professional women's soccer team based in
3654-467: The two branches of the Chicago River . In 2017, the club's primary and secondary logos were updated with a design created by Julie Rochelle. In October 2024, the team announced they would be adopting a new crest and colors in conjunction with the change in team name to "Chicago Stars Football Club". The new crest has only one red star instead of four, includes two shades of blue, and "includes
3717-416: Was announced on April 17, 2019 that NBC Sports Chicago would be the Red Stars' new regional broadcaster, televising all regular-season matches (beginning with their second match of the 2019 season). Seven 2019 matches were scheduled to be carried on its overflow channel, NBC Sports Chicago Plus. On August 23, 2021, the Red Stars announced that Univision Chicago would simulcast Spanish-language coverage of
3780-495: Was announced that Chicago would field a team in a new women's professional soccer league. The team joined six others ( Washington Freedom , Boston Breakers , Los Angeles Sol , FC Gold Pride , Sky Blue FC , and Saint Louis Athletica ) in Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) for the league's inaugural season in 2009. Marcia McDermott , former head coach of the Northwestern University women's soccer team and
3843-505: Was chosen by popular vote in a two-month fan poll. The Red Stars won their first game of the season, 1–0, at Saint Louis Athletica . They followed with two ties (1–1 at Washington Freedom and 0–0 hosting Sky Blue FC) and a 4–0 shutout of the Boston Breakers at Toyota Park. This was the best starting record of any team in the league except season champions Los Angeles Sol , seeming to live up to preseason predictions. The team
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#17328014660133906-544: Was coming off of an ACL injury, and later announced she was pregnant, Sarah Woldmoe was pregnant and it seemed like it would be a long season for the Red Stars. The new head coach was announced as Chris Petrucelli . In the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup the Red Stars finished 2nd in the Central Division behind the Kansas City Current and did not move on. In the 2022 National Women's Soccer League season
3969-414: Was then winless for its next nine games (with three away draws), including a 451-minute scoring drought. The Washington Freedom , scored first in their next game, indicating that the streak would continue. However, the Red Stars came from behind to win 2–1. They defeated last-place FC Gold Pride 3–1 in their next game before losing four of their last five games, eliminating them from the playoffs and ending
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