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Red Stars start season with 2-0 win
On March 16, the Chicago Red Stars kicked off their 2024 campaign with a 2-0 road win over Utah Royals FC in the Royals' inaugural match back in the National Women's Soccer League. Ally Schlegel and ...
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SPORTS Red Stars prepare to kick off NWSL season against Utah Royals
It's been a busy winter for the Red Stars, and it's time to put their work to the test. Following a last place finish in the 2023 NWSL season, Chicago has had an active offseason transforming ...
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College athletes sue NCAA over transgender policies
Former Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines was among a group of college athletes who filed a lawsuit against the NCAA on March 14, accusing it of violating their Title IX rights by allowing trans swimmer Lia Thomas ...
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Chicago Red Stars release 2024 roster
CHICAGO (March 13, 2024) — The Chicago Red Stars announced today their final roster ahead of the 2024 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) season. The club's roster is bolstered by an array of experience brought not ...
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Chicago Red Stars release midfielder Jill Aguilera
--From a press release
CHICAGO (March 11, 2024) — The Chicago Red Stars today announced the release of midfielder, Jill Aguilera. "I want to thank Jill for her time with the Red Stars," said general manager, Richard Feuz. "Over her ...
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Trans golfer banned from competing
Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson spoke out on Instagram after the NXXT Women's Pro Tour suddenly announced on March 8 (International Women's Day) that participants must be "a biological female at birth" in order to competebanning D ...
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Chicago Red Stars sign midfielder Leilanni Nesbeth
Press release
CHICAGO (March 6, 2024) — The Chicago Red Stars announced the signing of draftee and midfielder Leilanni Nesbeth. Nesbeth, Chicago's first-round and tenth overall draft pick in the 2024 National ...
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Chicago Red Stars announce partnership with Wintrust
Press release
CHICAGO (Feb. 27, 2024) — The Chicago Red Stars and Wintrust Financial Corporation announced a partnership that will see Wintrust become the club's new front-of-jersey partner and community outreach investment ...
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Chicago Bears hire first woman assistant coach
The Chicago Bears are hiring Jennifer King as an offensive assistant, according to The Chicago Sun-Times and other media outlets. She will be an assistant running backs coach. Kingwho will become the first female assistant coach ...
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Brittney Griner's jersey retired at Baylor University
On Feb. 18, Baylor University retired Brittney Griner's #42 jersey. Grinera two-time AP national player of the year, two-time Olympic gold medalist and the NCAA women's career blocks leader (with 748)attended a Bears home game ...
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Six Chicago Red Stars called for international play
CHICAGO (Feb. 15, 2024) — Six Chicago Red StarsJill Aguilera, Julia Bianchi, Sam Fisher, Natalia Kuikka, Alyssa Naeher and Mallory Swansonhave been called up to represent their respective countries during ...
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Republicans file bill to ban trans women from U.S. Olympic teams
Republicans in both houses of Congress have launched another effort to ban transgender women and girls from female sports teamsand this time, they are attempting to ban trans women from competing on U.S. Olympic teams ahead ...
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GLAAD finds missed chances for LGBTQ+ inclusion in Super Bowl ads
--From a press release
Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024 — GLAAD is reacting to a lack of LGBTQ storytelling in ads that aired duringSuper Bowl LVIII on Feb. 11 and is reminding brands, corporations and advertising agencies why including the LGBTQ ...
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GLAAD, NFL host third annual pre-Super Bowl event 'A Night of Pride'
On Feb. 7, LGBTQ+ media-advocacy organization GLAAD, along with The National Football League (NFL), hosted the third annual "A Night of Pride" at Caesar's Palace in Super Bowl LVIII's host city of Las Vegas, a press ...
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Chicago Red Stars appoint Richard Feuz as general manager
--From a press release
CHICAGO (February 5, 2024) — The Chicago Red Stars have named Richard Feuz as the team's next general manager to complete a brand-new leadership team in guiding the Red Stars into an exciting era. Feuz joins ...
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LGBTQ+ figure skaters win gold, silver at U.S. Championships
LGBTQ+ figure skater Amber Glenn nailed a triple axel and clinched her first senior U.S. title on Jan. 26 at the 2024 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Columbus, Ohio, per a U.S. Figure Skating report. ...
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SPORTS Chicago Hounds' Nick McCarthy reflects on being out in professional rugby
In recent years, people from numerous high-profile fields have publicly declared themselves as members of the LGBTQ+ community. Among them have been individuals from tech (such as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Apple CEO Tim Cook), ...
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Chicago Red Stars set 2024 preseason roster
--From a press release
CHICAGO (Jan. 23, 2024) — The Chicago Red Stars have set their preseason roster ahead of the 2024 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) season. 17 of the 35 players on the preseason roster are returning Red ...
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Tara VanDerveer becomes winningest coach in college basketball
Stanford University women's basketball coach and gender-rights advocate Tara VanDerveer became the college-basketball coach with the most wins ever on Jan. 21, media outlets reported. After her team defeated Oregon State 65-56, VanDerveer has 1,203 ca ...
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Chicago Fire FC announces 2024 theme nights; Pride Night will be June 1
--From a press release
CHICAGO (Jan. 18, 2024) — Chicago Fire FC announced the club's theme nights for select home matches during the 2024 regular season, driven by Carvana. The Club's 2024 calendar features 11 theme nights, including the return ...
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Chicago Red Stars sign Mallory Swanson to historic contract
CHICAGO (January 16, 2024) — The Chicago Red Stars have signed Mallory Swanson to a historic long-term contract, making it the most lucrative agreement in the history of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and seeing ...
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Chicago Red Stars select five players during 2024 NWSL Draft
--From a press release
CHICAGO (Jan. 13, 2024) — The Chicago Red Stars selected five players and made four trades during the 2024 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Draft. The team wasted no time and kicked off an active day ...
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USA Boxing adds policy regarding trans competitors
Boxing's highest national governing body, USA Boxing, added a transgender athlete policy to its rulebook that requires genital-reassignment surgery and strict hormone testing for adults before competition, NBC News noted. ...
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Women's pro-hockey league starts play in Toronto
It's a new year—and a new league. On New Year's Day, the first Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) started play, media outlets noted. New York scored a 4-0 win over host Toronto in front of a ...
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SHOWBIZ Indigo Girls, best songs, queer 'Nutcracker,' Colman Domingo, 'Gilded Age'
Following appearances at multiple film festivals, the documentary Indigo Girls: It's Only Life After All is getting a theatrical release next spring, The Advocate noted. Directed by Alexandria Bombach, the film dives into the four decades ...
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Chicago Red Stars appoint Lorne Donaldson as head coach
--From a press release
CHICAGO (Dec. 20, 2023) — The Chicago Red Stars have named Lorne Donaldson as the club's new head coach. The former head of the Jamaican Women's National Team led the Reggae Girlz on a historic Women's ...
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LGBTQ+ baseball executives announce cancer battles
Openly gay Major League Baseball (MLB) executive Billy Bean announced he has been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and that he needs a donor for a bone-marrow transplant, Gay City News noted. USA Today initially reported ...
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Chicago hosting World Gay Boxing Championships in 2024
Chicago will host the World Gay Boxing Championships (WGBC) next year. On June 20, 2024, Strong Hands Gym, 3924 N. Broadway, is set to host the second annual championship, Block Club Chicago noted. The first took ...
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Brittney Griner strikes deal with ESPN, Disney
Two-time Olympic gold medalist and nine-time WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner will partner exclusively with ESPN and Disney Entertainment Television to share her story through various projects on their platforms, according to a press release. A documentary ...
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Chicago Red Stars re-sign defender Taylor Malham
--From a press release
CHICAGO (Dec. 5, 2023) — The Chicago Red Stars re-signed defender Taylor Malham, whose contract was set to expire at the end of 2023. Malham stays signed with the team through 2024, with a club option ...
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Martina Navratilova continues anti-trans comments
Lesbian tennis legend Martina Navratilova has been in the news lately for anti-trans comments, although she has been making them for quite some time. She recently sparked controversy with her remarks on a tribute by UK ...
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Trans women banned from playing cricket
Transgender women have been barred from playing in international women's matches under a new policy from the International Cricket Council (ICC), the BBC reported. Any player who has gone through male puberty will not be eligible ...
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Chicago Red Stars provide 2023 roster update
--From a press release
CHICAGO (November 20, 2023) — In accordance with the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) end-of-season process, the Chicago Red Stars announce the following roster updates. The club exercised the option ...
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Out sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson receives multiple honors
Over the past few weeks, LGBTQ+ sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson has received several honors. The city of Dallas honored LGBTQ+ sprinter Sha'Carri Richardsontwice, according to LGBTQ Nation. Her former high school named the track where she ran ...
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WORLD Latvia, nonbinary magistrate, Gay Games end, Israel soldiers
Latvia's parliament voted to allow same-sex couples to establish civil unions, Reuters reported. Said couples now have legal recognitionbut fewer rights than married couples. The new legislation, slated to take effect in the middle of next ...
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Karen Leetzow named Chicago Red Stars president
--From a press release
CHICAGO (Nov. 15, 2023) — The Chicago Red Stars have appointed sports executive and attorney Karen Leetzow as the club's new president. Leetzow joins the Red Stars after serving as the chief legal officer of the ...
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Megan Rapinoe ends career with injury
Soccer icon Megan Rapinoe ended her legendary career on Nov. 11, as an injury caused her to leave her team's championship loss in the NWSL championship, ESPN reported. Rapinoe's team, the OL Reign, fell to NJ/NY ...
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Chicago Red Stars' Julia Bianchi called up to Brazilian Women's National Team
--From a press release
CHICAGO (November 10, 2023) — Chicago Red Stars midfielder, Julia Bianchi, will join the Brazilian Women's National Team for their upcoming friendly matches against Japan and Nicaragua in Brazil. This will be Bianchi's second time jo ...
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PASSAGES Local bowling legend, Wordle enthusiast Mary Ann Graziano
Mary Ann Graziano was a fervent Wordle player, avid bowler and an ace golfer. But above all else, she was a friend to many. The Palatine native died Oct. 9 at the age of 82, after a long illness that left ...
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Gay Games dealing with backlash, low turnout
Gay Games 11 Hong Kong 2023 (which is also taking place in Guadalajara, Mexico) is taking place, but is contending with some obstacles, including political backlash and low registration numbers, media outlets have reported. According to ...
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Queer athlete named women's rugby player of the year
World Rugby announced that British captain Marlie Packer has been named this year's World Rugby Women's 15s Player of the Year in partnership with Mastercard, according to a media release. Packer received the award in front ...
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Republican governors ask NCAA to ban trans women from women's sports
Nine Republican governors have signed a letter to the NCAA asking the organization to ban trans women from competing in college women's sports, LGBTQ Nation reported. Among those signing the letter were Govs. Kristi Noem of ...
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Sky player receives WNBA's sportsmanship award
The WNBA announced that Chicago Sky veteran center Elizabeth Williams is the recipient of the 2023 Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award, per a press release. The award is given to a player that exemplifies the ideals of ...
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Former NBA player denies assault of another man, said sex was consensual
Former NBA player Dwight Howard has denied sexually assaulting another manbut said they had consensual sex, The Advocate reported. In court documents, Howard said the encounter consisted of "consensual sexual activity" and that he caused no ...
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In a first, NBA referee comes out as transgender, nonbinary
NBA referee Che Flores (they/them) came out as transgender and nonbinary in an interview with GQ, The Advocate noted. Flores is the first out trans or nonbinary referee in the NBA, and potentially the other major ...
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USA Cycling unveils updated trans policy
USA Cycling (USAC), the governing body for the sport of cycling in the United States, unveiled its revised Transgender Athlete Participation Policy, Cycling Weekly reported. In doing so, USAC is aligning itself with the standards set ...
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LGBTQ+ figure skater lands triple axel in competition
Amber Glennwho identifies as bisexual and pansexualbecame the sixth U.S. female figure skater to land a clean triple axel in competition, hitting the jump at Skate America on Oct. 22, NBC Sports noted. "It's been more ...
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Weatherspoon officially becomes Sky coach; wheelchair tennis tourney
The Chicago Sky officially named WNBA legend and Hall of Famer Teresa Weatherspoon as the franchise's new head coach, confirming early reports. Weatherspoon had an eight-year career in the league, with her first seven seasons with ...
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Three Chicago Red Stars selected for international teams
--From a press release
CHICAGO (October 18, 2023) — Chicago Red Stars defender Casey Krueger and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher will join the United States Women's National Team (USWNT), while midfielder Bianca St-Georges will be ...
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Red Stars fall as the Reign's Rapinoe scores twice in her final match
Megan Rapinoe knows how to go out with a bang. The lesbian soccer icon scored a bracetwo goals in one gameas her OL Reign topped the Chicago Red Stars 3-0 at SeatGeek Stadium in her final ...
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DePaul women's basketball game against Iowa attracts 55K
A DePaul University exhibition women's basketball game against the University of Iowa set a record. The Iowa Hawkeyes' 94-72 win over DePaul in the "Crossover at Kinnick" on Oct. 15 drew 55,646 fans, according to ESPN. ...
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Chicago Red Stars forward Cheyna Matthews to retire following Oct. 15 match
CHICAGO (October 13, 2023) — Cheyna Matthews, a forward for the Chicago Red Stars, will retire from professional soccer following the team's match against OL Reign (and Megan Rapinoe) on Sunday, Oct. 15, at SeatGeek Stadium. ...
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Report: Chicago Sky to hire Teresa Weatherspoon as head coach
WNBA icon Teresa Weatherspoonwho was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019is reportedly finalizing a deal to become the Chicago Sky's newest head coach, according to several media outlets. During her time playing ...
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Chicago Red Stars release 2024 season ticket memberships
CHICAGO (Oct. 10, 2023) — Chicago Red Stars fans can secure Season Ticket Memberships for the club's 2024 campaign beginning today. Fans are invited to join the players, coaching staff and front office as the club ...
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Chicago Red Stars head coach departs team
Chicago Red Stars head coach Chris Petrucelli will not return to lead the team in 2024, the club announced. "We appreciate Chris' service as coach, especially during this ownership transition, and we wish him well in ...
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Trans nonbinary runner allowed to use testosterone for USA Track & Field-sanctioned events
Nonbinary transmasculine runner Cal Calamia (he/they) was granted USADA (U.S. Doping Agency) permission to take testosterone while competing at USA Track & Field-sanctioned ...
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Red Stars fall; last game to take place against OL Reign and Rapinoe
In a high-scoring affair, the Chicago Red Stars fell to the Kansas City Current 6-3 in Kansas City on Oct. 7. With the loss, the Red Stars are now mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. The Red ...
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Red Stars beat Racing Louisville 1-0
On Sept. 30, the Chicago Red Stars kept their playoff hopes alive behind a 1-0 win against Racing Louisville FC at SeatGeek Stadium. The victory extended Chicago's no-loss streak to four matches. Midfielder Bianca St-Georgesfresh off ...
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LGBTQ+ player wins WNBA's MVP Award
Breanna Stewart won her second WNBA MVP award after a career-best scoring season in her first season with the New York Liberty, Yahoo! Sports reported. The WNBA posted on X (formerly Twitter), "Stewie averaged 23.0 PPG, ...
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Megan Rapinoe receives send-off in last international match
Lesbian soccer icon Megan Rapinoe received a triumphant send-off in her last international match, and the United States beat South Africa 2-0 at Chicago's Soldier Field on Sept. 24, per ABC News. Trinity Rodman and Emily ...
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Chicago Red Stars exercise option for goalie Alyssa Naeher
--From a press release
CHICAGO (Sept. 20, 2023) — The Chicago Red Stars has exercised the contract option for goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher for 2024. Naeher joined the Chicago Red Stars in 2016 from former National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club, ...
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Chicago Sky swept by Las Vegas Aces; Sky's season ends
The defending WNBA champions the Las Vegas Aces continue to rollat the Chicago Sky's expense. On Sept. 17, the Aces defeated the Sky 92-70 in Vegas to end Chicago's season and move into the WNBA semifinals. ...
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Chicago Red Stars tie Angel City in front of large crowd
After staging a second-half comeback, the Chicago Red Stars split points with Angel City FC in a 2-2 draw. Ava Cook and Cheyna Matthews scored goals for Chicago. Cook's second-half goal was the forward's third against ...
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Mets honor lesbian baseball icon Maybelle Blair
On Sept. 14 at NYC's Citi Field, the New York Mets recognized the life work of lesbian baseball pioneer Maybelle Blair, 96, with the inaugural Amazin' Mets Foundation Legacy Award, according to a Major League Baseball ...
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Chicago Sky routed in playoff opener
In Las Vegas on Sept. 13, the top-seeded and defending champion Aces had little problem with the number-eight seed Chicago Sky in the playoff opener for both, with Las Vegas prevailing 87-59, per ESPN. On the ...
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Red Stars forward Cheyna Matthews selected to Jamaican Women's National Team
Chicago Red Stars forward Cheyna Matthews selected to Jamaican Women's National Team CHICAGO (Sept. 14, 2023) — Chicago Red Stars forward, Cheyna Matthews, was selected to join the Jamaican Women's National Team for the team's Ol ...
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Univ. of Alabama condemns fans' racist, anti-gay slurs
The University of Alabama condemned its fans' behavior after they were heard shouting racist and homophobic slurs at three Texas Longhorn players during the football teams' Sept. 9 clash, ABC News reported. In a video that ...
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'Merchant of Death' talks about exchange with Brittney Griner
Russian Viktor Boutthe so-called "merchant of death" involved in a prisoner exchange for out WNBA star Brittney Griner late last yeartold ESPN that, among other things, he followed Griner's case closely from federal prison in Illinois. ...
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Chicago Sky in playoffs for fifth straight time
Despite having a losing record (17-22), the Chicago Sky are in the playoffs for the fifth consecutive time. Kahleah Copper scored 20 points, Marina Mabrey added 19 and the Chicago Sky clinched the last playoff spot ...
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Chicago Red Stars midfielder selected to Canada Women's National Team
--From a press release
CHICAGOChicago Red Stars midfielder Bianca St-Georges has been called up to join the Canadian Women's National Team (CANWNT) for its upcoming CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying matches in Kingston, Jamaica and Toronto ...
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Openly gay football player Carl Nassib retiring at 30
On Sept. 6, openly gay free agent defensive end Carl Nassib announced his retirement from the NFL after seven seasons, Sports Illustrated reported. Nassibwho played for the Cleveland Browns, the Las Vegas Raiders and twice for ...
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Laura Ricketts talks about Chicago Red Stars deal, investor group, coming out
On Aug. 1, a group of investors led by lesbian Chicago Cubs co-owner/Chicago Sky minority owner Laura Ricketts announced that they had officially took ownership of the Chicago Red Stars National Women's Soccer League franchise. The ...
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Chicago Red Stars shut out Washington Spirit
In D.C., the Chicago Red Stars shut out the Washington Spirit 2-0 on Sept. 3. Yuki Nagasato and Bianca St-Georges scored goals for Chicago. The match also marked ...
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Laura Ricketts-led group of diverse investors buys Chicago Red Stars in $60 million deal
From an Sept. 1 press release: A diverse investor group led by Laura Ricketts and prominent Chicago women business and civic leaders has officially taken ownership of the Chicago Red Stars National Women's Soccer League ...
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Rapinoe's last international match to take place in Chicago on Sept. 24
Lesbian soccer icon and two-time Women's World Cup winner Megan Rapinoe will play her last professional match against South Africa on Sunday, Sept. 24, in Chicago, U.S. Soccer announced. The match (scheduled for 4:30 p.m. CT) ...
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