Forward Madison FC to host Chicago Red Stars and Wisconsin Women’s Soccer in exhibition

The Chicago Red Stars will travel to Madison to play the University of Wisconsin women’s soccer team on March 25. Forward Madison FC will host the match on their home turf at Breese Stevens field. The game is presented by the Wisconsin Women’s Soccer Advisory Council.

”It’s an incredible honor for Forward Madison to host this historic exhibition game,” Forward Madison chief operating officer Conor Caloia said. “We’re grateful to both the Red Stars and UW, and I’m glad that we can all play a part in growing women’s soccer in Madison.”

The Red Stars lost in the franchise’s first NWSL championship appearance last season and will look to return to the title game again this year after a 4-0 rout at the hands of the North Carolina Courage. They’ll have to do it without two-time NWSL MVP and three-time Golden Boot recipient Sam Kerr, who signed with Chelsea this off-season.

The return of Julie Ertz and Alyssa Naeher, both key players in the United States’ 2019 World Cup champion run, and the additions of Rachel Hill and Kaelia Ohai should help Chicago continue its strong play.

Wisconsin is coming off of a 16-4-2 season and Sweet 16 run, their second-straight appearance in the Sweet 16 and the program’s third overall appearance. The Badgers’ spring schedule also includes matches against Notre Dame, Loyola (Chicago), Milwaukee and Louisville.

The Chicago reserves feature UW alum Camryn Biegalski, who was drafted by the Red Stars in the second round of the 2020 NWSL draft, as well as Wisconites Chandra Eigenberger and Haley Johnson. Biegalski was the Big Ten Defender of the Year and a second-team All-American this past season.

Following their exhibition with the Badgers, the Red Stars will continue their preseason slate with a trip to Providence Park to play the Portland Thorns. They’ll also face Reign FC, US Women’s National U-23 Team and Indiana University.