Four Red Stars called up to U.S. WNT

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Red Stars will have four representatives on the U.S. Women's National Team when the squad faces Germany at 5 p.m. CT on Saturday, May 22, in Cleveland, Ohio. Red Stars defender Kate Markgraf makes her return to the U.S. WNT along with fellow Chicago defender Marian Dalmy, goalkeeper Jillian Loyden and midfielder Megan Rapinoe. U.S. head coach Pia Sundhage is bringing 22 players to Cleveland, with 18 suiting up for the match.

The international friendly will be televised on ESPN2.

Markgraf, who gave birth to twins in July of 2009 and missed the inaugural Women's Professional Soccer season, has not played for the U.S. WNT since December of 2008. She needs only two more caps to hit 200 for her international career.

Rapinoe led the U.S. with five points (two goals and an assist) during international play in 2009. Rapinoe and Dalmy each have 11 international caps, and Loyden still is in search of her first cap.

For more, visit ChicagoRedStars.com.

Shorthanded Red Stars fall to Gold Pride

CASTRO VALLEY, Calif. -- The Chicago Red Stars fell to first-place FC Gold Pride, 2-0, on Saturday in Women's Professional Soccer play at Castro Valley Athletic Stadium.

The Red Stars had to play for approximately 65 minutes with only 10 players on the pitch. In the 25th minute, Red Stars defender Ifeoma Dieke was issued a red card for fouling Gold Pride's Kelley O'Hara in the box.

Chicago avoided any initial damage when Gold Pride's Tiffeny Milbrett missed that particular penalty kick attempt. But Milbrett and O'Hara would make up for it with goals in the 45th and 78th minutes, respectively.

"We hoped to get into halftime scoreless, and them scoring a minute before halftime was a blow for us," Red Stars Head Coach Emma Hayes said of Milbrett's goal. "Chasing the game for 60 minutes is just too difficult for this level."

For the full game recap, visit ChicagoRedStars.com.

Red Stars net 1st win of season over Breakers

Casey Nogueira and Cristiane (pictured right) each netted a second-half goal as the Chicago Red Stars defeated the host Boston Breakers, 2-0, on Saturday in Women's Professional Soccer play at Harvard Stadium.

Nogueira made her first WPS start and leads the Red Stars with two goals this season. Cristiane contributed her first goal of the campaign after leading the team with seven goals during the inaugural 2009 WPS season.

"I think for the team, they really needed the result tonight," Red Stars head coach Emma Hayes said. "It was a great team performance all around, and the result was fully deserved."

You can read more from this match at ChicagoRedStars.com.