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Writer's pictureAudrey Brown

Rookie Profiles: Chicago Red Stars


Jill Aguilera

Photo//Mike Christy-Arizona Athletics

Team: Chicago Red Stars


Position: Midfielder


Hometown: Redwood City, Calif.


College: University of Arizona


College Number: 14


College Major: Nutritional Sciences


College Awards: CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team (2021), CoSIDA Academic All-District Team (2021), All-Pac-12 Second Team (2021), NCAA Woman of the Year Nominee (2021), CoSIDA Academic All-American Third Team (2021), CoSIDA Academic All-District (2021), All-Pac-12 All-Conference Second Team (2020), United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Women’s All-Pacific Region Third Team (2019), Pac-12 Fall & winter Academic Honor Roll (2020-21), Pac-12 Fall Academic Honor Roll (2019), Pac-12 All-Academic Second Team (2018), Pac-12 All-Academic Second Team (2017)


Draft Pick: Acquired by CRS in fall 2020, but returned to Arizona to play in her final college season before being added to the 2022 roster


Pro Contract: Offer not yet extended


Ava Cook

Photo//Grand Valley Lanthorn

Team: Chicago Red Stars


Position: Forward

Hometown: Battle Creek, Mich.


College: Grand Valley State University (2017-2021), Michigan State University (2021)


College Number: 14


College Major: Advertising and Public Relations


College Awards: Second Team All-Big Ten (2021), United Soccer Coaches All-Region (2021), First Team All-GLIAC (2020/2021), First Team All-American (2019), First Team All-Region (2019), All-GLIAC First Team (2019), All-NCAA Tournament Team (2019), GLIAC All-Academic Honors (2019), NCAA Division II National Champion (2019), All-American (2018), First Team All-Midwest Region (2018), All-NCAA Tournament Selection (2018), First Team All-GLIAC (2018), Three-time GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week (2018), GLAIC Freshman of the Year (2017), Second Team All-GLIAC Honoree (2017), United Soccer Coaches First Team All-Midwest Region (2017), D2CCA Second Team All-Midwest Region (2017)


Draft Pick: #18 overall


Pro Contract: Contract offer extended


Quote: "I couldn't be happier to get picked by Chicago. It's the closest team in the league to Battle Creek, so it will be great to continue to have that local support," Cook said. "It's a little scary to think about that I will be playing professional soccer here soon. But I am definitely excited for the challenge and to show what I have to offer. Playing with the best players in the world .... couldn't ask for anything else than that."


Samantha “Sammi” Fisher

Photo//Notre Dame Athletics

Team: Chicago Red Stars


Position: Midfielder


Hometown: Simi Valley, Calif.


College: Notre Dame


College Number: 4


College Major: Business


College Awards: All-ACC Second Team (2020), All-ACC Third Team (2019), United Soccer Coaches All-Region Second Team (2019), ACC All-Freshman Team (2017)


Draft Pick: #19 overall


Pro Contract: Contract offer extended


Channing Foster

Photo//Ole Miss Athletics

Team: Chicago Red Stars


Position: Midfielder


Hometown: Murray, Ky.


College: Ole Miss


College Number: 12


College Major: Master of Business Administration


College Awards: SEC's first-ever five-time All-SEC honoree, United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region First Team (2021), All-SEC First Team (2019-21), United Soccer Coaches Third Team All-American (2020), United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region First Team (2020), United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Second Team (2019), United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Third Team (2018), All-SEC Second Team (2017-18), SEC All-Freshman Team (2017).


Draft Pick: #32 overall in 2021 NWSL Draft, returned to Ole Miss to play final season


Pro Contract: Offer not yet extended


Quote: "I want to thank the Chicago Red Stars for drafting me and giving me an incredible opportunity," said Foster. "I've dreamt of becoming a professional soccer player since I was a little girl, and I cannot wait to get started.”


Sarah Griffith

Photo//Purdue University Athletics

Team: Chicago Red Stars


Position: Forward


Hometown: Naperville, Ill.


College: Purdue University


College Number: 35


College Major: Psychological Sciences


College Awards: United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-America (2021), Big Ten Forward of the Year (2021), United Soccer Coaches First Team All-North Region (2021), First Team All-Big Ten (2021), Big Ten All-Tournament Team (2021), Academic All-Big Ten (2020/21), Second Team All-Big Ten (2021),


Draft Pick: #35 overall


Pro Contract: Offer not yet extended

Quote: "It is an honor to be drafted by the Chicago Red Stars!," Griffith said. "I am feeling extremely grateful for this opportunity to play at the next level.”


Mikenna McManus

Photo//Northeastern University Athletics

Team: Chicago Red Stars


Position: Defender


Hometown: Lake Forest, Calif.


College: Northeastern University


College Number: 22


College Major: Business Administration


College Awards: All-CAA First Team (2020), All-CAA Third Team (2019), 2x CAA Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 30, 2019 and Oct. 28, 2019), Preseason All-CAA Team (2019), All-CAA Second Team (2018, 2021)


Draft Pick: Non-roster invitee


Pro Contract: Contract offer extended


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