Chicago Stars FC fell 2-0 in a tight battle, which was defined by a one-goal margin until the final minutes of the match, against San Diego Wave FC this afternoon. The Stars were led by Mallory Swanson, who joined the Starting XI for the first time since 2024.
Chicago Stars FC returns from the NWSL midseason break at home on July 5, hosting Utah Royals FC at Martin Stadium at 4 p.m. CT.
Chicago Stars FC (3-8-0, 9 pts) will return home to play its final game before the NWSL midseason break against San Diego Wave FC (7-3-1, 22 pts) on Sunday, May 31 at noon CT. The Stars will look to earn their second consecutive win while the Wave will look to get back in the win column after falling to Orlando last weekend.
The Chicago Stars will host International Day during Sunday’s match in celebration of an exciting summer of soccer and the players from around the world that feature on the Stars roster. Fans will learn more about these players throughout the match and can enjoy multiple celebrations of global cultures in the Jameson Fan Zone, including food trucks featuring different cuisines and a special international-themed mini pitch with unique soccer balls.
Stream: CBS Sports Network
CHI: The Stars earned their first road win of the season with a 1-0 victory over Bay FC on Sunday, May 24.
SD: The Wave fell 1-0 at home to Orlando Pride on Sunday, May 24.
After being announced as Chicago’s new head coach late last year, Martin Sjögren’s first season with the Stars is underway. The Swede arrives in Chicago after more than a decade coaching at various Swedish teams and a stint at the helm of the Norwegian Women’s National Team. Sjögren earned his first NWSL win in a 2-1 victory over the reigning NWSL Shield winners, the Kansas City Current on Sunday, March 22. Current assistant coach Anders Jacobson previously joined the Stars in August 2025 as interim head coach ahead of Sjögren's arrival, setting the foundation for what would become the team’s identity under the duo.
Defender Sam Staab is one of just 10 players left in the Ironwoman race, playing every minute of Chicago’s 11 matches. After week nine, Staab leads the league in clearances (70) and is fifth in blocks (11). The center back also ranks fourth in the league for touches (835) and seventh in pass attempts (643). Additionally, forward Jordyn Huitema is tied for second in the league with 41 aerial duels.
Forward Mallory Swanson recorded her first goal of the season against Bay FC and her first goal since returning from maternity leave on May 15. Swanson’s last goal was against the Houston Dash on July 6, 2024. Swanson also earned a call-up to the U.S. Women’s National Team for the June international window, marking the first time that Swanson, Sophia Wilson, and Trinity Rodman – the self-monikered “Triple Espresso” who helped lead the USA to the 2024 Olympic gold medal – will be on the same roster in almost 22 months.
Against Bay FC, goalie Katie Atkinson recorded her second clean sheet of the season in three games after missing four games due to injury. In the win, Atkinson recorded five saves. Atkinson leads the league with a 0.33 goals against average and 95.45 save percentage, allowing only one goal during her three games between the pipes.
Goalkeeper Katie Atkinson was announced by the league as the Chicago Stars’ nominee for the 2026 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide, which recognizes an NWSL Player for outstanding service and character off the pitch and in the community. Atkinson will team up with Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. The center is nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report for pediatric oncology and treats more children with cancer and blood disorders than any other hospital in Illinois. Before joining the Chicago Stars, Atkinson was previously Racing Louisville FC’s nominee for the 2024 edition of the award, partnering with another local children’s hospital, Norton Children’s. Lund worked extensively with pediatric oncology organizations throughout her time in Louisville and plans to continue doing so in Chicago, beginning with the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Lurie Children’s.
Chicago is 3-6-0 against San Diego dating back to the Wave’s inaugural season in 2022. Earlier this season, the Stars fell 2-0 to the Wave at Snapdragon Stadium on March 28.
Chicago Stars FC today announced that the club has parted ways with General Manager Richard Feuz, effective immediately.
“Chicago Stars FC and its ownership recognize that our on-field performance has fallen short of the standards we have set for ourselves and the expectations of our fans,” said Chicago Stars FC president Karen Leetzow. “Following a thorough assessment of the organization, we have determined that a change in sporting leadership is necessary to reach our collective ambitions.
“As a result, the club has parted ways with General Manager Richard Feuz, and we have begun our search for a new General Manager to drive our sporting program forward. We are seeking an experienced sporting leader who brings a proven track record of building competitive rosters and aligning organizations around a clear vision. We are grateful for Richard’s dedication to the Stars and for his work in attracting world-class talent to Chicago.”
Feuz joined the Stars in February 2024. Throughout his tenure, the club compiled a 16-34-13 regular season record and 17-36-14 in all competitions, clinching a playoff berth in 2024.
The Stars return home on May 31 for the club’s final match before the midseason break when the Stars host San Diego Wave FC at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium in Evanston, Illinois, at noon CT during the club’s International Day theme match ahead of a momentous summer of soccer. Tickets for all Chicago Stars home matches, including Season Ticket Memberships, Flex Packs and single-match tickets, are available now at chicagostars.com/tickets.
Chicago Stars FC returned to the win column on May 24 with a 1-0 clean sheet against Bay FC. Mallory Swanson slipped in the lone goal of the match, netting her first goal since July 2024 after coming back from maternity leave on May 16. The Stars will take the momentum back to Chicago ahead of their next match against San Diego Wave FC at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, May 31 at noon CT.
Chicago Stars FC returns home as the team hosts San Diego Wave FC at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, May 31 at noon CT.
Chicago Stars FC (2-8-0, 6 pts) will conclude its three-game road trip in San Jose, California, against Bay FC (3-3-2, 11 pts) on Sunday, May 24, at 4 p.m. CT at PayPal Park. The Stars will look to earn their first road victory while Bay FC will look for its first win since May 3.
Stream: ESPN App
After being announced as Chicago’s new head coach late last year, Martin Sjögren’s first season with the Stars is underway. The Swede arrives in Chicago after more than a decade coaching at various Swedish teams and a stint at the helm of the Norwegian Women’s National Team. Sjögren earned his first NWSL win in a 2-1 victory over the reigning NWSL Shield winners, the Kansas City Current on Sunday, March 22. Current assistant coach Anders Jacobson previously joined the Stars in August 2025 as interim head coach ahead of Sjögren's arrival, setting the foundation for what would become the team’s identity under the duo.
Defender Sam Staab is one of just 10 players left in the Ironwoman race, playing every minute of Chicago’s 10 matches. After week eight, Staab leads the league in clearances (65) and is sixth in blocks (10). The centerback also ranks seventh in the league for touches (740) and ninth in pass attempts (562). Jordyn Huitema is tied for fourth in the league with 22 aerial duels won.
Forward Mallory Swanson returned to the pitch in the final 15 minutes against the North Carolina Courage after being placed back on the active roster from maternity leave on May 15. Swanson last played 554 days ago in a post-season match at Orlando Pride on November 8, 2024. The forward has played 66 regular season games for the Stars and has recorded 23 goals and 12 assists.
Goalkeeper Katie Atkinson was announced by the league as the Chicago Stars’ nominee for the 2026 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide, which recognizes an NWSL Player for outstanding service and character off the pitch and in the community. Atkinson will team up with Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. The center is nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report for pediatric oncology and treats more children with cancer and blood disorders than any other hospital in Illinois. Before joining the Chicago Stars, Atkinson was previously Racing Louisville FC’s nominee for the 2024 edition of the award, partnering with another local children’s hospital, Norton Children’s. Lund worked extensively with pediatric oncology organizations throughout her time in Louisville and plans to continue doing so in Chicago, beginning with the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Lurie Children’s.
The Stars have a 2-1-1 advantage over Bay FC dating back to 2024. Chicago last faced Bay at PayPal Park on April 13, 2025, and took home a 2-1 victory. The Stars managed to earn at least one point in both matches against Bay FC last season, drawing with Bay at home, 1-1, on August 10, 2025.
Chicago Stars FC fell 4-0 to North Carolina Courage at First Horizon Stadium on Saturday evening.
Chicago Stars FC finishes a three-match road trip on the West Coast against Bay FC on May 24 at 4 p.m. CT at PayPal Park in San Jose, California. The Stars return home as the team hosts San Diego Wave FC at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium on May 31 at noon CT.