Chicago Red Stars head coach Rory Dames spoke to media on Monday afternoon ahead of the Red Stars’ third game of the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup on Wednesday night against Kansas City at SeatGeek Stadium.

He offered his thoughts on a variety of topics ranging from injuries to an update on the club’s transfer activities.

Injuries and USWNT player availability

Dames confirmed that defender Bianca St. Georges and goalkeeper Emily Boyd will not participate in the Challenge Cup, and added that Boyd has not yet returned to full-contact training in her recovery from an ACL tear in 2020.