USL News Release

Thursday, December 11, 2008

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Gaels have announced that they will continue operations in the USL W-League in 2009 as the Chicago Red Eleven under the new ownership of Ted Gradel. Gradel has purchased the franchise and looks to build upon the success that Gaels’ owner Mark Boyle has established in the past four seasons for the Chicago area franchise.

The Red Eleven franchise has been active in the past month with a number of other noteworthy developments.

Larry Sunderland will serve as Technical Director, a role he fills for both the Chicago Fire of the USL Premier Development League and the Chicago Fire Juniors. W-League 2008 Coach of the Year Tony Anglin, who led the Atlanta Silverbacks to a 13-0-1 record in 2008, will be the head coach for the Red Eleven in 2009.

“Our first priority was to find the best possible coach available – someone to create a training environment that results in a winning side and, equally as important, aids in the development and identification of future professional players,” said Sunderland. “With that said, Ted and I felt Tony Anglin was the right person. His experience coaching in the league, his passion for moving players forward, and his professionalism on and off the field are unquestioned.”

The balance of the coaching staff includes Benedictine women’s head coach Robyn Serge, Chicago Fire Juniors assistant director of coaching Steve Berry, and St. Xavier Chicago women’s assistant coach and Gaels staff coach Evan Strehlau.

Home games for the Red Eleven will be played at the beautiful 3,000 seat stadium of Benedictine University in Lisle, IL.

The Chicago Red Eleven will also serve as the exclusive W-League affiliate of the Chicago Red Stars of Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) for the state of Illinois.

“The Red Stars are pleased to continue our relationship with Chicago’s W-League team under its new leadership,” said Chicago Red Stars President and CEO Peter Wilt. “I’ve enjoyed working with Larry Sunderland for more than 20 years, and I look forward to working with him again, along with owner Ted Gradel, to launch the Red Eleven. This club will serve as a great place for the Red Stars to watch players who aspire to progress to WPS.”

Red Stars head coach Emma Hayes, who was instrumental in bringing Tony Anglin in as Red Eleven head coach, added, “we are excited to work with Red Eleven and to support them in putting together a competitive roster.”

“We are extremely excited and proud of our relationship with the Red Stars,” said Red Eleven Owner Ted Gradel. “This is a tremendous opportunity for our girls to be seen by the Red Stars coaching staff on a regular basis.”