WPS names 4 Red Stars as all-star game reserves

Women's Professional Soccer announced 14 reserves on Monday for the 2010 WPS All-Star Game.

Four Chicago Red Stars were selected for the festivities: Brazilian forward Cristiane, England midfielder Karen Carney, goalkeeper Jillian Loyden and defender Kate Markgraf.

The All-Star Game kicks off at 7 p.m. June 30 at KSU Soccer Stadium in Kennesaw, Ga.

The reserves were selected by WPS Commissioner Tonya Antonucci and the two WPS All-Star Game head coaches, Albertin Montoya (FC Gold Pride) and Paul Riley (Philadelphia Independence).

Cristiane leads the Red Stars with 3 goals and is currently tied for sixth among the league leaders. Markgraf has captained the Chicago defense this season in support of Loyden, who is tied for the league lead with the lowest goals against average (0.89, with FC Gold Pride's Nicole Barnhart) and is second in the league with three shutouts. Carney has been a steady presence on the pitch this season, and she leads the Red Stars with 2 assists.

With a unique All-Star Game format selected for 2010, each team captain will choose their starting team together with the All-Star Game head coaches. Washington Freedom forward Abby Wambach will choose "Abby XI" as the home team together with Philadelphia Independence head coach Paul Riley, while FC Gold Pride star Marta will choose "Marta XI" as the away team with FC Gold Pride head coach Albertin Montoya at a unique playground pick-em event for fans on June 28.

Immediately following the starting picks, reserves will be placed on Abby XI and Marta XI to round out the All-Star squads.