20 Questions with Julianne Sitch, Chicago Red Stars

Like so many players in the NWSL, the name Julianne Sitch gets overshadowed by the bright lights on the international players like Morgan, Leroux, Sesselmann, Solo, Sinclair, etc. This is something Following Football would like to rectify. 

First off, let's list the teams that she's played for (it's a distinguished list): US U21 and US U19, Depaul Blue Demons, Chicago Cobras, Hampton Roads Piranhas, Bälinge IF, Chicago Gaels, FC Indiana, Sky Blue FC, Melbourne Victory, Western New York Flash, Atlanta Beat, Hammarby IF, and the Chicago Red Stars. As a member of the US U21 squad, Sitch won the Nordic Cup in 2003. She and current Chicago teammate Lori Chalupny shepherded Hammarby IF to the Damallsvenskan (top tier women's league in Sweden) in the 2012 season. As a member of the Melbourne Victory, Sitch was voted team MVP. Julianne finished her college career at De Paul University as the school's all-time leading scorer.

Sitch was born in Oswego, Illinois, and as a member of the Chicago Red Stars, she's representing her hometown team. She's proud to wear the Red Stars jersey, and when she signed with Red Stars in 2010 she said, "I am very happy to be coming home to chicago to continue my playing career. I've always dreamt about playing in my hometown, where all of my family and friends-who have supported me throughout my career-can come and watch. I love Chicago. I love Toyota Park and the energy it brings to the game. I couldn't be more happy." She even has her own fan club made up of family and family friends. Name another player, in any league, that has his or her own fan club that has a fire truck.

To be honest, I can't think of anything negative to say about this amazing player, except maybe her response to question number 15 (Chelsea, really?). Ladies and gentlemen, Chicago Red Stars midfielder/forward, my favorite number 19 wearer (except for Danny Welbeck), Julianne Sitch:

1. You’ve been a bit of a globetrotter; what was your favorite city to play in?

Definitely Chicago! Nothing beats playing at home in front of my family and friends. I love that my dad can come to half of the games in a season. 

2. Which country do you think embraces the women’s game the most? Why do you think that is?

I do believe that the US Women’s National team has a great following, which I love seeing for our country. I also think that other European countries follow the women’s game more as a whole because soccer is their sport over there. They grow up playing soccer. Where as here, we grow up playing multiple sports and sometimes soccer never being one of them. 

3. After soccer, where is your career path headed?

Towards helping younger athletes in soccer, speed, agility, strength and conditioning and even nutrition. I love working with children helping them set goals, accomplish their goals and I want to be a part of it all. 

4. You were a Blue Demon in college, and after your late goal against Seattle, some fans would say you’re a Blue Demon, or a light Blue Demon, again. How big was that goal in the scope of your goal-scoring career?

That goal gave us an important point. But I would have to say that Alyssa Mautz’s goals were way more important than mine. She brought life back to our team/game and season! 

QUICK FIRE QUESTIONS:

5. Favorite movie?

Two Weeks Notice

6. Favorite color?

Neon orange

7. Favorite food?

Chips, salsa and quac 

8. Favorite type of car?

Jeep wrangler 

9. Favorite TV show?

Modern Family 

10. Sugar, Sweet n Low, or Equal?

Sugar 

11. There’s only one flavor of ice cream, and it is: mint chocolate chip.

Now back to our regularly scheduled program:

12. Who is the biggest prankster on the Red Stars squad?

Not quite sure, but you can easily prank Leslie [Osborne], Jen [Hoy], or Michelle [Wenino]! 

13. The Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup for the 2013 season; being a longtime Chicagoan, what was it like to see the ‘Hawks lift the trophy again?

Absolutely amazing. I’ve become a huge Blackhawks fan over the years and I experienced the last Stanley Cup festivities and it’s just a really neat thing to be a part of. 

14. You hold DePaul’s record for goals and assists. What’s it like to hold such an honor?

It’s pretty neat, but I give all the credit to Erin Walter- with out her passing me the ball I wouldn’t have that honor. (She holds the single season assist record!) 

15. There’s only one right answer to this question, Manchester United or Manchester City?

Chelsea?!!!   Haha I guess Manchester United 

16. What soccer player did you look up to as you came through the soccer ranks? 

Marci Miller and Kristine Lilly. Chris Armos was a huge one for me as well. 

17. If you had to hang up your boots, what sport would go pro in?

Triathlons 

18. What’s on your iPod playlist right now?

Pitch Perfect soundtrack 

19. What’s your best advice for young footballers?

Dream Big. Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do it. Work hard, have a positive attitude and good things will come. When tough times come, always remember the only thing you can change is your attitude! HAVE FUN!!! 

20. If you could sit down and pick the brain of any person, alive or dead, who would it be and why?

Sandra Bullock. I don’t necessarily want to pick her brain, but I want to have coffee with her. I think she’s cool and I’m pretty sure we’d be best friends if we met! 

I've thoroughly enjoyed sitting down and chatting with Julianne Sitch for 20 Questions. Each 20 Questions interview reminds me that these professionals are just regular folks that play a game for a living. Find a job you love doing and you'll never work a day in your life so says the saying. Julianne Sitch shows us how to accomplish that goal, and that's by working hard at what you love. 

Coming soon to 20 Questions: USWNT veteran Michelle Akers, USWNT and Chicago Red Stars midfielder Leslie Osborne, CanWNT and Seattle Reign midfielder Kaylyn Kyle, and Chicago Red Stars forward Adrianna Leon. 

On a very personal note, I'd like to thank the Chicago Red Stars and Shannon Boxx for their efforts to raise Lupus Awareness. It's a nasty disease that has affected me twice. 

I do not claim any photography rights. Rights remain those of the sites downloaded from. All [sic] as needed.

Rain Ruins Playoff Run for Red Stars

The Chicago Red Stars fell to the Washington Spirit 1-0 in a rain soaked and rain shortened game. NWSL league rules have a game curfew for midnight local time. Because of this lame policy, the Red Stars and Spirit were shorted 10 minutes of their 90 minute match after a 104 minute rain delay. Chicago, the masters of the last minute comeback, was defeated by the Spirit, the rain, and the radar. As the rain storms subsided, the Red Stars playoff berth was washed away. 

Being a referee, I understand the need to suspend play for the safety of the players, coaches, staff, and officials. Whether or not to suspend a match is always one of the toughest things to decide. Just look back to the USMNT "Snow Bowl" earlier this year. That game was a broken leg waiting to happen, but it never came. Yet, what if it did? The referee would have the blood of the player on his hands. Imagine if it was a career ending injury! 

Recently, I was discussing with my dad, a ref of over 20 years, about a decision to postpone a game. There was lightning and thunder in the distance; he decided to suspend operations. Neither team was happy; especially the visiting team who had traveled over an hour to the pitch. Some parents were rude. Some were down right nasty. That's when things got interesting. You see when nothing happens after making that decision people say you're lazy, you favor the home team, you've got to get home to watch Dr. Who; the possibilities of insult are endless. But when you get it right, like my dad did, no one mentions the right call. No one says, "thanks for keeping my kids safe." They just take cover as the thunderstorm unleashes its fury on them. When quarter-size hail is landing on the metal roof of a structure everyone is huddled under, the parents don't second guess the referee's decision. When the tornado warning sirens go off, the parents wish they had just stayed home. 

Now of course there's a difference between kid's ball and professional ball. While safety of everyone involved is paramount, the integrity of the game, league, and playoff system has to be kept in mind. Tonight's game between Washington and Chicago was cut short and the Spirit took the three points. These were points that the Red Stars desperately needed to keep their playoff hopes afloat. Washington, who had zero chance of earning a playoff bid, was issued the "W" because it was too late, even though it was safe to return to play. Yet, the NWSL seems to forget that players, coaches, and staff are all grownups and can stay up after the streetlights come on, and Chicago was robbed of ten minutes of game time to try to eek out a victory. 

I'm not sure why the NWSL has a curfew. Most of the players can buy their own beer. So what gives? I don't think they can say it's for the fans. Let's examine soccer fans for a second. We're all crazy. We wear scarves in the summer for crying out loud! We're staying until the final whistle blows to end the game. The fans at the Maryland SoccerPlex was a testimate to that. Yes there are young kids in the crowd. Yes most of us have to work the next day. Yes most of us will be finding a 7-11 for coffee on the way home from a soccer match that ends past midnight. But let the fans decide to stay or go. The WOMEN of the NWSL don't need a curfew. Simply put, this short-sighted rule shorted the Red Stars of a playoff berth. The ten minutes may or may not have changed the outcome, but Chicago should've had the chance to try. 

The last time I checked, the women of the NWSL are not Disney princesses. They don't wear ball gowns on the pitch; they wear jerseys. They don't wear glass slippers; they wear cleats. They didn't get to the big show by way of fairy godmother; they got there on skill and determination. When the clock strikes midnight, they should still be playing because they are athletes, not Cinderellas.