After their transformational 2024 NWSL Season, the Chicago Stars are back at SeatGeek and ready to win in 2025. The Stars worked hard in 2024, bringing in new coaching and new pro athletes with records of success. The team currently boasts impressive Olympians, including U.S. gold medalists Alyssa Naeher and Mallory Swanson, Brazilian silver medalist Ludmila, and Canadian midfielder Julia Grosso who each competed in Paris in 2024. By the end of 2024, the Stars secured their spot in the playoffs with an 8th place season finish out of 14 teams, a stark improvement from last place in 2023 that highlighted the team’s improvements.
The Chicago Stars faced off against the Houston Dash for their fiery Home Opener at SeatGeek Stadium, and fans flocked to the merchandise stands while donning their free Stars Beanies, the game’s giveaway for the first 500 attendees. Everyone was repping their favorite women’s soccer team by the time of the kickoff, and it wasn’t long before the players had the crowd roaring. Star Jameese Joseph got in front of her defender and scored a quick early game goal at minute 17 to thunderous applause! Dasher Paige Nielsen struck back only 3 minutes later with a goal of her own though, and the 1st half finished with both teams at 1 point. Animated stars fans sang and cheered on their team, hoping they could increase the offensive pressure they had mounted earlier. During a fierce 2nd half, Houston’s Maggie Graham managed to break through the Stars’ defense and score in the 64th minute, taking the lead for the visiting team. The Stars fought valiantly to return the favor with limited time left but ultimately failed to break through and fell 1-2 to the Houston Dash.
The Stars may have lost the battle, but the 2025 season is just getting started! This is a team that’s no stranger to getting knocked down and getting right back up again even stronger, so keep your eyes on their record as they look to shine brighter than ever before this year!
