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2023 Chicago Red Stars in Review: Emily Boyd

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Joe Chatz | Last updated 11/10/23

Emily Boyd fulfilled her duties as the Chicago Red Stars' No. 2 goalkeeper in spectacular fashion as her side went 3-1-1 in all competitions with her in net during the 2023 season.

Chicago’s second-round pick from 2018 entered the starting lineup when Alyssa Naeher was at the World Cup and put on a goalkeeping clinic during her starting stint. Boyd collected clean sheets in four of her five matches as the starting goalkeeper and was rewarded by the NWSL by being named to the league’s Best XI for July. Boyd’s four clean sheets were a career-best and her five starts were the most she made in a season since making 10 starts in 2020 when she played a game for Chicago and started nine matches while on loan in Denmark.

Boyd’s on-pitch highlight of the 2023 season was her performance in the Red Stars’ 0-0 draw against the Kansas City Current on July 29 in Bridgeview. Not only did Boyd keep the clean sheet with a five-save performance but she made a massive save in the 24th minute to deny a penalty kick from Lo’eau LaBonta. Post-match, Boyd said she more or less blacked out during that moment, and it’s easy to understand why given the stakes at that moment.

The performance versus KC solidified her place on the Best XI for July and gave Chicago their first points in the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup.

Boyd is an unrestricted free agent in the offseason and should have offers from around the league as a No. 2 goalkeeper, though I’d expect some teams to present the opportunity to start after her strong performances in 2023. Bay FC is an obvious candidate to pursue Boyd, a graduate of nearby UC-Berkeley, for their inaugural season.

The Red Stars remain an option for 2024 even though Naeher’s contract was exercised as she's the USWNT goalkeeper and there will be no regular-season games while Naeher is expected to be at the Olympics.

Boyd, 27, made it clear in 2023 that she has value to the club as a goalkeeper and as a positive voice in the locker room, presenting a strong case for Chicago to bring her back long-term.