The 2026 Chicago Stars FC season is the team's thirteenth season as a professional women's soccer team. Based in Evanston, Illinois, United States, Chicago Stars FC plays in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the top tier of women's soccer in the United States.
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 March 13, 2026.[9]
Out on loan
Coaching staff
- As of August 13, 2025.[10]
| Coaching staff
|
| Interim head coach
|
Anders Jacobson
|
| Assistant coach
|
Karina Báez
|
| Goalkeeper coach
|
Brenton Saylor
|
Competitions
Win
Draw
Loss
Regular-season standings
Updated to match(es) played on March 21, 2026. Source:
NWSLRules 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).
Statistics
- As of match played March 15, 2026
Appearances and goals
Starting appearances are listed first, followed by substitute appearances after the + symbol where applicable.
Transactions
Contract operations
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
|
[14]
|
| December 3, 2025
|
Ryan Gareis
|
FW
|
Houston Dash
|
Free agent signing
|
2028
|
[15]
|
| December 15, 2025
|
Katie Lund
|
GK
|
Racing Louisville
|
Free agent signing
|
2028
|
[16]
|
| December 23, 2025
|
Michelle Alozie
|
DF
|
Houston Dash
|
Traded for $40,000 in allocation money
|
2026 + mutual option
|
[17][18]
|
| January 16, 2026
|
Elise Evans
|
DF
|
Stanford Cardinal
|
College signing
|
2028
|
[19]
|
| January 17, 2026
|
Tessa Dellarose
|
MF
|
North Carolina Tar Heels
|
College signing
|
2028
|
[20]
|
| January 19, 2026
|
Emma Egizii
|
MF
|
UCLA Bruins
|
College signing
|
2028
|
[21]
|
| February 3, 2026
|
Aaliyah Farmer
|
DF
|
Tigres UANL
|
Undisclosed transfer
|
2028
|
[22]
|
| March 12, 2026
|
Jordyn Huitema
|
FW
|
Seattle Reign
|
Traded for $300,000, and $200,000 in allocation money
|
2028
|
[23]
|
Transfers out
References
- ^ "Why Chicago Stars FC got rid of head coach Lorne Donaldson and what's next for NWSL club". CBS Sports. May 1, 2025. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ^ "Masaki Hemmi departs Chicago Stars FC, Ella Masar named interim head coach – Equalizer Soccer". July 1, 2025. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ^ Kassouf, Jeff (August 12, 2025). "NWSL's Chicago Stars hire ex-Norway coach Sjögren". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ^ "Chicago Stars eliminated from playoff contention after 4-1 loss to Kansas City Current". Chicago Tribune. September 27, 2025. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ^ "Chicago Stars finish season 3-11-12. On tap for 2026: New coach — and a move from Bridgeview to Northwestern". Chicago Tribune. November 3, 2025. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ^ "Chicago Stars FC Unveils New 2026 Primary Uniform | Chicago Stars FC". chicagostars.com. February 26, 2026. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ^ "Chicago Stars to play '26 season at Northwestern". ESPN. September 3, 2025. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ^ "Chicago Stars set season-high attendance in a win at Northwestern's lakefront Martin Stadium, their 2026 home". Chicago Tribune. September 7, 2025. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ^ "Chicago Stars FC Roster | Chicago Stars FC". chicagostars.com.
- ^ "Technical Staff". Chicago Red Stars. March 21, 2023.
- ^ Westlake, Amanda (November 4, 2025). "CANWNT's Julia Grosso signs new contract through 2028 with Chicago Stars". All For XI. Retrieved December 31, 2025.
- ^ "Alyssa Naeher re-signs with Chicago Stars for 2026 NWSL season – Equalizer Soccer". December 10, 2025. Retrieved December 31, 2025.
- ^ "Chicago Stars FC Re-Signs Forward, Nádia Gomes | Chicago Stars FC". chicagostars.com. December 22, 2025. Retrieved December 31, 2025.
- ^ Gaspar, Melina (December 1, 2025). "Signing alert: Brianna Pinto signs with Chicago Stars FC". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved December 31, 2025.
- ^ Chatz, Joe (December 3, 2025). "Chicago Stars FC sign forward Ryan Gareis". On Tap Sports Net. Retrieved December 31, 2025.
- ^ Nguyen, Phuoc (December 15, 2025). "Chicago Stars FC sign goalkeeper Katie Lund". All For XI. Retrieved December 31, 2025.
- ^ "Chicago Stars FC Acquires Michelle Alozie in Trade with Houston Dash | Chicago Stars FC". chicagostars.com. December 23, 2025. Retrieved December 31, 2025.
- ^ FC, Houston Dynamo. "Houston Dash Sign Forward Michelle Alozie to Two-Year Contract Extension | Houston Dynamo". Houston Dynamo FC. Retrieved December 31, 2025.
- ^ "Chicago Stars FC Signs Defender, Elise Evans | Chicago Stars FC". chicagostars.com. January 16, 2026. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ^ "Chicago Stars FC Signs Tessa Dellarose | Chicago Stars FC". chicagostars.com. January 17, 2026. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ^ "Chicago Stars FC Signs Midfielder, Emma Egizii | Chicago Stars FC". chicagostars.com. January 19, 2026. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ^ "Chicago Stars FC Acquires Defender Aaliyah Farmer | Chicago Stars FC". chicagostars.com. February 3, 2026. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ^ "Chicago Stars FC Acquires Forward Jordyn Huitema in Trade with Seattle Reign FC | Chicago Stars FC". chicagostars.com. March 12, 2026. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ^ "Chicago Stars FC Announces End-of-Season Roster Updates". Chicago Stars FC. December 1, 2025. Retrieved December 31, 2025.
- ^ "Chicago Stars FC Acquires $70,000 in Trade with the Orlando Pride for Defender, Hannah Anderson | Chicago Stars FC". chicagostars.com. January 8, 2026. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ^ "Chicago Stars FC Acquire $800,000 from San Diego Wave FC for Forward, Ludmila | Chicago Stars FC". chicagostars.com. January 13, 2026. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- ^ "Chicago Stars FC Loans Goalkeeper Mackenzie Wood to Portland Thorns FC | Chicago Stars FC". chicagostars.com. March 12, 2026. Retrieved March 15, 2026.