On Sunday night, the Chicago Red Stars will open their ninth National Women’s Soccer League campaign on the road against the recently-crowned 2021 Challenge Cup champion Portland Thorns at Providence Park.

Ahead of the season opener and just over a week before they return to SeatGeek Stadium, Red Stars midfielder Danielle Colaprico, forward Kealia Watt, and head coach Rory Dames spoke with media on Friday ahead of their trip out West

A Much Needed and Beneficial Break

“I think that was much needed,” said Colaprico of the team’s post-Challenge Cup vacation. “I feel like mentally and physically we were all exhausted.