United States Under-20 National Team member Alexa Gaul has committed to play for the Chicago Red Eleven, pending United Soccer League approval.
"We are excited to have Alexa back in Chicago for the summer and with the Red Eleven,” said Head Coach David Nikolic. “As a current member of the USA Women Under-20 World Cup pool, she is recognized as one of the top goalkeepers that this country has produced. The opportunity for her to play in Germany late this summer in her second World Cup would be fantastic. Technically and athletically she is quite good and will be looked to start our attacks with her distribution."
Gaul, a goalkeeper from Naperville, Il, is currently playing at the University of Texas. As a freshman at Texas, Gaul ranked fifth in the Big 12 in shutouts with four and seventh in total saves with 61. The Longhorns fell in the Big 12 semifinals to Texas A&M.
She attended Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville and graduated in 2009. Gaul played for the Wildcats her senior year where she led the team to a 17 win season and only allowed 6 goals.
In her one year of high school soccer, Gaul was named the 2009 All-American, ESPNRise.com first team All-American. She was also named the Naperville Sun player of the Year, Chicago Tribune Top 11 All-State, Chicago Sun Times Top 11 All-state and the Daily Herald All-Area First Team.
Gaul has played club soccer since 1996. From 2003-08 Gaul participated in State and Regional Olympic Development Program. In 2005, Gaul joined the Eclipse Select 90/91 where she played until 2009. She was member of both the Under-16 and Under-17 National Teams. Gaul was a member of the U-17 Women’s World Cup Finalist team.
In 2007, Gaul was named the Adidas ESP Camp All-Star and earned the Golden Glove Award at the U.S Region II ODP Camp. Gaul was also part of the Nike Premiere 50 Camp. In 2008, Gaul was on the U-17 USYS Region II and the CONCACAF Championship teams. She was also a member of the Under-18 Disney Showcase Championship team.While currently a member of the U.S. U-20 National Team, Gaul helped the team to a victory over England’s Under-23 National Team (1-0) in February at the La Manga Cup in Spain. The U.S. also beat Norway’s Under-23 (1-0) and tied Germany’s U-20 team (1-1).
"The Red Eleven remains committed to keeping the best Midwest players and best Chicago players in Chicago this summer playing in the W-League,” said Nikolic. “Alexa is one of those players and I am eager to start working with her in May."
Gaul will kick off the season with Red Eleven May 29 home against the Buffalo Flash at the Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex.
