PREVIEW: ST. LOUIS AT RED STARS

With 4 out for WNT duty, other Chicago players take on added role

For those of you Chicago Red Stars fans who took advantage of the ticket deal that includes a Lindsay Tarpley Bobblehead, you won't be seeing the actual player on the field. Or three others for that matter this Saturday.

Midfielders Tarpley, Megan Rapinoe and Carli Lloyd, and defender Marian Dalmy are training with the Women's National Team for an exhibition against Canada two days later.

That means there will be some big shoes to fill and new faces getting the starting nod as Chicago hosts St. Louis Athletica for a 7:30 p.m. Women's Professional Soccer tilt at Toyota Park (no TV; Spanish-language Web cast on ChicagoRedStars.com).

These are obviously some heavy-duty losses from Chicago's perspective, and the Red Stars (2-2-2, 8 points) are hoping to erase their two-game losing streak and cap off a five-game home stand on a high note when St. Louis (1-2-2, 5 points) comes to Bridgeview.

"Training's been great this week, and the other players realize they have to step up," Red Stars head coach Emma Hayes said. "The team's very humbling. They all feel they are good enough to start."

The glaring position where Chicago will need an added presence is in the midfield. Frida Ostberg has contributed as both a defender and midfielder this season, and midfielder Brittany Klein (pictured left) will need to be more of a force, as well. They are already staples for their aggressiveness and hustle on the pitch.

"Frida's got the experience and energy level, and Brittany is the sort of player who with the more responsibility, the more she drives," Hayes said. "You're going to see a different role from her."

Hayes rattled off an assortment of names who should see an increased role, with the likes of forward Ella Masar (who has two starts in six games), midfielder Danesha Adams, midfielder Heather Garriock and midfielder Jill Oakes all having the opportunity to "prove their worth" on this team.

Hayes admits that even the coaching staff is not sure how things will pan out this week because this will be such a different lineup. But the players are taking this on as though they have a chance to secure a starting role here and there, and not approaching this with a "fill-in" attitude.

There are some Red Stars, though, that have stamped their starting presence. Goalkeeper Caroline Jonsson has been the Red Stars' security blanket all season, to the point where she has single-handedly been the reason for the team pulling off a victory or a draw.

And Chicago has its forward tandem of Cristiane and Karen Carney. Carney has a goal and an assist this season. Cristiane, who has yet to tally a goal or assist, is just now getting some full-game minutes following some international duty with Brazil and an early knee injury. This is no question that she is a play maker, and if the offense can find some gaps in the St. Louis defense, a Cristiane goal (or two, or several) would not be out of the question.

"She's getting better every day and she's getting settled in," Hayes said.

One typical defensive starter who is still making a transition to this level is Chioma Igwe. Hayes did not start Igwe last week, and it was noticeable that she needed to improve marking up against some of WPS's speedy forwards.

"She's still a young player and is developing her game," Hayes said. "Putting her at left back was out of position for her, and she's had an awful lot to deal with there. Her natural tendency is defensive midfield or right back. She has had a very good week of training and has responded well to it. I think she demands a lot more from herself."

• St. Louis shorthanded, too: The WNT match against Canada puts Athletica in a bit of a hole, as well. St. Louis will be playing without goalkeeper Hope Solo, and defender and St. Louis native Lori Chalupny also will be with the WNT. They have combined for 171 WNT caps.