2026 Chicago Stars FC season
Chicago Stars FC 2026 soccer season
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2026 Chicago Stars FC season is the team's eighteenth as a professional women's soccer team, and thirteenth in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the top tier of women's soccer in the United States. Stars FC is based in Evanston, Illinois, having moved there from their prior home in Bridgeview, Illinois.
Majority ownerLaura Ricketts
General managerRichard Feuz (until May 27)
Vacant (after May 27)
Vacant (after May 27)
Head coachMartin Sjögren (until Aug 12)
Karina Báez (interim, after Aug 12)
Karina Báez (interim, after Aug 12)
StadiumMartin Stadium
(capacity: 12,023)
(capacity: 12,023)
| 2026 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Majority owner | Laura Ricketts | ||
| General manager | Richard Feuz (until May 27) Vacant (after May 27) | ||
| Head coach | Martin Sjögren (until Aug 12) Karina Báez (interim, after Aug 12) | ||
| Stadium | Martin Stadium (capacity: 12,023) | ||
|
| |||
Background
In 2025, Chicago started off the year with a string of poor performances that culminated with the firing of head coach Lorne Donaldson.[1] Masaki Hemmi and Ella Masar went on to spend stints as interim head coach throughout the season before both individuals moved on.[2] In August 2025, the Stars announced the signing of Martin Sjögren as new head coach, effective at the start of the 2026 season.[3] After being eliminated from playoff contention in late September,[4] the Stars went on to finish the season at the bottom of the NWSL table.[5]
Kit changes
On February 26, 2026, the Stars unveiled its new primary uniform, the 'DNA Kit,' featuring a design paying tribute to Chicago's history in skyscrapers and general architecture. Featuring a color scheme of red, white, and blue, the new jersey also pays homage to multiple landmarks around Chicago.[6]
Stadium and facilities
After a ten-season stint at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois, 2026 is the Stars' first season playing at the lakefront Martin Stadium on the campus of Northwestern University.[7] Chicago had already previously played a match at Martin Stadium in 2025, a 5–2 victory over the Orlando Pride that set a second-highest season attendance marker for the Stars.[8]
Team
Current squad
- As of August 9, 2026.[9]
| No. | Pos. | Player | Nation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK |  USA |
Alyssa Naeher (captain) |
| 3 | DF | USA |
Sam Staab |
| 4 | FW | USA |
Jenna Bike |
| 5 | DF |  NGR |
Michelle Alozie |
| 7 | MF |  CAN |
Julia Grosso |
| 8 | FW | USA |
Jameese Joseph |
| 9 | FW | USA |
Mallory Swanson |
| 10 | MF | USA |
Brianna Pinto |
| 11 | FW |  POR |
Nádia Gomes |
| 12 | DF |  FIN |
Natalia Kuikka (SEI[10]) |
| 14 | DF | USA |
Taylor Wood |
| 15 | DF | USA |
Elise Evans |
| 16 | MF |  JPN |
Manaka Hayashi |
| 18 | FW |  COL |
Ivonne Chacón |
| 20 | MF | USA |
Bea Franklin |
| 22 | GK | USA |
Halle Mackiewicz |
| 23 | FW | USA |
Micayla Johnson |
| 24 | FW | USA |
Ryan Connaughton |
| 25 | DF |  MEX |
Aaliyah Farmer |
| 27 | GK | USA |
Katie Atkinson |
| 28 | MF | USA |
Emma Egizii |
| 29 | DF |  ESP |
Leila Ouahabi |
| 31 | MF |  GER |
Anna Gasper |
| 34 | MF | USA |
Tessa Dellarose |
| 77 | MF | ESP |
Maitane López |
| 99 | FW | CAN |
Jordyn Huitema (SEI[11]) |
Out on loan
| No. | Pos. | Player | Nation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | DF | USA |
Sam Angel (at DC Power FC through December 31, 2026) |
| 19 | GK | USA |
Mackenzie Wood (at Portland Thorns FC through December 31, 2026) |
Coaching staff
The Stars fired the club's general manager Richard Feuz on May 27, dividing his responsibilities between assistant general manager Beatrice Caliani and president Karen Leetzow.[12] The Stars fired the club's head coach Martin Sjögren and assistant coach Anders Jacobson on August 12, and assigned assistant coach Karina Báez as interim coach, re-hired former coach Lorne Donaldson as interim director of coaching, and hired former Spokane Zephyr FC head coach Nicole Lukic as assistant coach.[13][14]
On September 17. 2026, the Stars announced the hiring of Vlatko Andonovski, previously the sporting director of Kansas City Current and a former United States women's national soccer team head coach, as the club's chief soccer officer.[15]
- As of September 13, 2026.[16]
| Coaching staff | |
|---|---|
| Interim head coach | Karina Báez |
| Assistant coach | Nicole Lukic |
| Assistant coach |  David Gough |
| Goalkeeper coach |  Daniel Ball |
| Interim director of coaching |  Lorne Donaldson |
Competitions
Regular season
Regular season standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Houston Dash | 25 | 8 | 5 | 12 | 31 | 35 | −4 | 29 |
| 13 | Bay FC | 25 | 7 | 5 | 13 | 26 | 34 | −8 | 26 |
| 14 | Boston Legacy FC | 25 | 7 | 5 | 13 | 32 | 42 | −10 | 26 |
| 15 | Racing Louisville FC | 25 | 7 | 2 | 16 | 35 | 49 | −14 | 23 |
| 16 | Chicago Stars FC (E) | 25 | 5 | 2 | 18 | 14 | 57 | −43 | 17 |
Updated to match(es) played on September 20, 2026. Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total goal difference; 3) total wins; 4) total goals scored; 5) head-to-head points; 6) head-to-head goal goals scored; 7) fewest disciplinary points; 8) coin toss (if 2 clubs tied) or drawing of lots (if ≥3 clubs tied).
(E) Eliminated
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total goal difference; 3) total wins; 4) total goals scored; 5) head-to-head points; 6) head-to-head goal goals scored; 7) fewest disciplinary points; 8) coin toss (if 2 clubs tied) or drawing of lots (if ≥3 clubs tied).
(E) Eliminated
Results summary
| Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 24 | 5 | 2 | 17 | 14 | 54 | −40 | 17 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 10 | 22 | −12 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 4 | 32 | −28 |
Last updated: September 13, 2026.
Source: NWSLsoccer.com
Results by matchday
Updated to match(es) played on September 13, 2026. Source: NWSLsoccer.com
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss; P = Postponed; = NWSL Shield; = NWSL Playoffs
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss; P = Postponed; = NWSL Shield; = NWSL Playoffs
Matches
Win Draw Loss
| March 15, 2026 1 | Angel City FC | 4–0 | Chicago Stars FC | Los Angeles, California |
| 6:00 pm | Report |
|
Stadium: BMO Stadium Attendance: 16,813[17] Referee: Shawn Tehini |
| March 22, 2026 2 | Chicago Stars FC | 2–1 | Kansas City Current | Evanston, Illinois |
| 1:00 pm | Report |
|
Stadium: Martin Stadium Attendance: 4,192 Referee: Alex Billeter |
| March 25, 2026 3 | Chicago Stars FC | 0–3 | Orlando Pride | Evanston, Illinois |
| 7:00 pm | Report | Stadium: Martin Stadium Attendance: 1,821 Referee: Matthew Thompson |
| March 28, 2026 4 | San Diego Wave FC | 2–0 | Chicago Stars FC | San Diego, California |
| 7:45 pm | Report |
|
Stadium: Snapdragon Stadium Attendance: 12,810 Referee: Servando Berna Rico |
| April 3, 2026 5 | Utah Royals | 1–0 | Chicago Stars FC | Sandy, Utah |
| 8:00 pm | Report | Stadium: America First Field Attendance: 10,012 Referee: Trevor Wiseman |
| April 25, 2026 5 | Chicago Stars FC | 2–0 | Boston Legacy FC | Evanston, Illinois |
| 6:30 p.m. EDT (UTC-4) | Report | Stadium: Martin Stadium Attendance: 4,579 Referee: Calin Radosav |
| April 29, 2026 7 | Chicago Stars FC | 0–2 | Gotham FC | Evanston, Illinois |
| 7:00 pm | Report | Stadium: Martin Stadium Attendance: 2,607 Referee: Marie Durr |
| May 3, 2026 8 | Chicago Stars FC | 0–2 | Portland Thorns FC | Evanston, Illinois |
| 12:00 pm | Report | Stadium: Martin Stadium Attendance: 4,344 Referee: Brad Jensen |
| May 10, 2026 9 | Kansas City Current | 3–0 | Chicago Stars FC | Kansas City, Missouri |
| 11:30 am |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: CPKC Stadium Attendance: 11,500 Referee: Laura Rodriguez |
| May 16, 2026 10 | North Carolina Courage | 4–0 | Chicago Stars FC | Cary, North Carolina |
| 5:30 pm | Report | Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park Attendance: 10,023 Referee: John Griggs |
| May 24, 2026 11 | Bay FC | 0–1 | Chicago Stars FC | San Jose, California |
| 4:00 pm | Report | Stadium: PayPal Park Attendance: 12,015 Referee: Atahan Yaya |
| May 31, 2026 12 | Chicago Stars FC | 0–2 | San Diego Wave FC | Evanston, Illinois |
| 12:00 pm | Report | Stadium: Martin Stadium Attendance: 6,014 Referee: Robert Vincze |
| July 5, 2026 13 | Chicago Stars FC | 3–2 | Utah Royals | Evanston, Illinois |
| 4:00 pm | Report | Stadium: Martin Stadium Attendance: 4,156 Referee: Laadi Issaka |
| July 10, 2026 14 | Boston Legacy FC | 2–0 | Chicago Stars FC | Pawtucket, Rhode Island |
| 7:00 pm | Report | Stadium: Centreville Bank Stadium Attendance: 7,463 Referee: Shawn Tehini |
| July 18, 2026 15 | Chicago Stars FC | 0–2 | Angel City FC | Evanston, Illinois |
| 5:30 pm | Report |
|
Stadium: Martin Stadium Attendance: 6,678 Referee: Rodrigo Albuquerque |
| July 24, 2026 16 | Orlando Pride | 1–0 | Chicago Stars FC | Orlando, Florida |
| 7:00 pm |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Inter.co Stadium Attendance: 6,657 Referee: John Griggs |
| August 1, 2026 17 | Racing Louisville FC | 2–1 | Chicago Stars FC | Louisville, Kentucky |
| 3:00 pm | Report | Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 5,148 Referee: Muhammad Kaleia |
| August 9, 2026 18 | Chicago Stars FC | 0–0 | Bay FC | Evanston, Illinois |
| 6:00 pm | Report | Stadium: Martin Stadium Attendance: 4,925[18] Referee: Iryna Petrunok |
| August 14, 2026 19 | Seattle Reign FC | 1–0 | Chicago Stars FC | Seattle, Washington |
| 9:00 pm |
|
Report | Stadium: Lumen Field Attendance: 7,646 Referee: Marie Durr |
| August 19, 2026 20 | Houston Dash | 5–0 | Chicago Stars FC | Houston, Texas |
| 7:00 pm | Report |
|
Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium Attendance: 5,214 Referee: John Matto |
| August 23, 2026 21 | Chicago Stars FC | 3–2 | Racing Louisville FC | Evanston, Illinois |
| 1:00 pm | Report | Stadium: Martin Stadium Attendance: 4,405 Referee: Corbyn May |
| August 29, 2026 22 | Denver Summit FC | 6–1 | Chicago Stars FC | Centennial, Colorado |
| 7:45 pm | Report | Stadium: Centennial Stadium Attendance: 12,372 Referee: Edson Carvajal |
| September 6, 2026 23 | Chicago Stars FC | 0–6 | North Carolina Courage | Evanston, Illinois |
| 3:00 pm | Report | Stadium: Martin Stadium Attendance: 4,722[19] Referee: Danielle Chesky |
| September 13, 2026 24 | Portland Thorns FC | 1–1 | Chicago Stars FC | Portland, Oregon |
| 6:00 pm | Report | Maitane  24'
|
Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 17,066 Referee: Natalie Simon |
| September 20, 2026 25 | Chicago Stars FC | 0–3 | Washington Spirit | Evanston, Illinois |
| 4:00 pm |
|
|
Stadium: Martin Stadium Referee: Brandon Stevis |
| September 25, 2026 26 | Gotham FC | v | Chicago Stars FC | Harrison, New Jersey |
| 7:00 pm | Stadium: Sports Illustrated Stadium |
| October 4, 2026 27 | Chicago Stars FC | v | Denver Summit FC | Evanston, Illinois |
| 3:00 pm | Stadium: Martin Stadium |
| October 18, 2026 28 | Chicago Stars FC | v | Seattle Reign FC | Evanston, Illinois |
| 6:00 pm | Stadium: Martin Stadium |
| October 23, 2026 29 | Chicago Stars FC | v | Houston Dash | Evanston, Illinois |
| 7:00 pm | Stadium: Martin Stadium |
| November 1, 2026 30 | Washington Spirit | v | Chicago Fire FC | Washington, D.C. |
| 4:00 pm | Stadium: Audi Field |
Statistics
- As of match played August 14, 2026
Appearances and goals
Starting appearances are listed first, followed by substitute appearances after the + symbol where applicable.
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | NWSL | Playoffs | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||||||
| Goalkeepers | |||||||||||||
| 1 | GK | USA |
Alyssa Naeher | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 22 | GK | USA |
Halle Mackiewicz | 1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 27 | GK | USA |
Katie Atkinson | 11 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Defenders | |||||||||||||
| 3 | DF | USA |
Sam Staab | 19 | 1 | 18+1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 5 | DF | NGR |
Michelle Alozie | 11 | 0 | 8+3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 6 | DF | GER |
Kathrin Hendrich | 10 | 0 | 8+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 12 | DF | FIN |
Natalia Kuikka | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 14 | DF | USA |
Taylor Wood | 5 | 0 | 4+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 15 | DF | USA |
Elise Evans | 1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 25 | DF | MEX |
Aaliyah Farmer | 16 | 0 | 12+4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 29 | DF | ESP |
Leila Ouahabi | 5 | 0 | 3+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Midfielders | |||||||||||||
| 7 | MF | CAN |
Julia Grosso | 14 | 0 | 13+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 10 | MF | USA |
Brianna Pinto | 16 | 0 | 14+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 13 | MF |  BER |
Leilanni Nesbeth | 5 | 0 | 0+5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 16 | MF | JPN |
Manaka Hayashi | 18 | 0 | 16+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 20 | MF | USA |
Bea Franklin | 11 | 0 | 4+7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 28 | MF | USA |
Emma Egizii | 6 | 0 | 1+5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 31 | MF | GER |
Anna Gasper | 3 | 0 | 2+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 34 | MF | USA |
Tessa Dellarose | 12 | 1 | 10+2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 77 | MF | ESP |
Maitane López | 14 | 0 | 13+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Forwards | |||||||||||||
| 4 | FW | USA |
Jenna Bike | 16 | 0 | 8+8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 8 | FW | USA |
Jameese Joseph | 16 | 0 | 12+4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 9 | FW | USA |
Mallory Swanson | 8 | 1 | 5+3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 11 | FW | POR |
Nádia Gomes | 16 | 2 | 14+2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 18 | FW | COL |
Ivonne Chacón | 13 | 0 | 2+11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 23 | FW | USA |
Micayla Johnson | 14 | 0 | 0+14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 24 | FW | USA |
Ryan Gareis | 11 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 99 | FW | CAN |
Jordyn Huitema | 12 | 4 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Players away on loan: | |||||||||||||
| 2 | DF | USA |
Sam Angel | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 19 | GK | USA |
Mackenzie Wood | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
Transactions
Contract operations
| Date | Player | Pos. | Fee/notes | Contract until | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 4, 2025 | Julia Grosso |
MF | Re-signing | 2028 | [20] |
| December 10, 2025 | Alyssa Naeher |
GK | Free agent re-signing | 2026 | [21] |
| December 22, 2025 | Nádia Gomes |
FW | Free agent re-signing | 2026 | [22] |
Transfers in
| Date | Player | Pos. | Previous club | Fee/notes | Contract until | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 1, 2025 | Brianna Pinto |
MF | North Carolina Courage |
Free agent signing | 2027 | [23] |
| December 3, 2025 | Ryan Gareis |
FW | Houston Dash |
Free agent signing | 2028 | [24] |
| December 15, 2025 | Katie Lund |
GK | Racing Louisville |
Free agent signing | 2028 | [25] |
| December 23, 2025 | Michelle Alozie |
DF | Houston Dash |
Traded for $40,000 in allocation money | 2026 + mutual option | [26][27] |
| January 16, 2026 | Elise Evans |
DF | Stanford Cardinal |
College signing | 2028 | [28] |
| January 17, 2026 | Tessa Dellarose |
MF | North Carolina Tar Heels |
College signing | 2028 | [29] |
| January 19, 2026 | Emma Egizii |
MF | UCLA Bruins |
College signing | 2028 | [30] |
| February 3, 2026 | Aaliyah Farmer |
DF | Tigres UANL |
Undisclosed transfer | 2028 | [31] |
| March 12, 2026 | Jordyn Huitema |
FW | Seattle Reign |
Traded for $300,000, and $200,000 in allocation money | 2028 | [32] |
| June 16, 2026 | Leila Ouahabi |
DF | Manchester City |
Free agent signing | 2028 | [33] |
| July 9, 2026 | Anna Gasper |
MF | Benfica |
Undisclosed transfer | 2027 | [34] |
Transfers out
| Date | Player | Pos. | Destination club | Fee/notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 1, 2025 | Camryn Biegalski |
DF | Denver Summit |
Out of contract | [35] |
| Meg Boade |
MF | Denver Summit | |||
| Ava Cook |
FW | Carolina Ascent | |||
| Shea Groom |
MF | Carolina Ascent | |||
| Cari Roccaro |
MF | ||||
| Ally Schlegel |
FW | North Carolina Courage | |||
| Stephanie Sparkowski |
GK |  Piteå IF | |||
| January 8, 2026 | Hannah Anderson |
DF | Orlando Pride |
Traded for $70,000 in intraleague transfer funds | [36] |
| January 13, 2026 |  Ludmila |
FW | San Diego Wave |
Traded for $800,000 in intraleague transfer funds | [37] |
| March 12, 2026 | Mackenzie Wood |
GK | Portland Thorns |
Loaned through the 2026 NWSL season | [38] |
| May 30, 2026 | Taylor Rath |
GK | Short-term contract expired | [39] | |
| June 30, 2026 | Leilanni Nesbeth |
MF | Mutually agreed to part ways ahead of contract expiration | [40] | |
| July 18, 2026 | Sam Angel |
DF | DC Power FC |
Loaned through the 2026 NWSL season | [41] |
| August 6, 2026 | Kathrin Hendrich |
DF | FC Köln |
Transferred out | [42] |