The Chicago Red Stars are no longer underdogs after a transformative year. During the 2023 NWSL season, they ranked last place, with only 24 points. Since then, they’ve brought in new players, new coaches, and new management.
New athletes drafted to the team included Hannah Anderson (31st overall), Bea Franklin (41st overall), Jameese Joseph (15th overall), and Leilanni Nesbeth (10th overall). Returning to the field this season was Mallory Swanson, a starter and top scorer for the Red Stars who was unable to play due to a knee injury that required two surgeries. The person picked to lead the new and improved team was Lorne Donaldson, former coach of the Jamaican women’s national soccer team, was made head coach.
The Stars also boast a truly star-studded group of Olympic athletes, 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.
On the evening of October 13th, the Chicago Red Stars, ranked #6 in the NWSL, revealed that they had clinched a spot in the 2024 NWSL playoffs! The path to the playoffs wasn’t easy, but the Stars shone bright and earned their spot, proving they have what it takes to compete with the top half of the league.
Completing their 2024 transformation, the Chicago Red Stars announced on October 23rd that they were rebranding themselves as the Chicago Stars FC for the 2025 season. The new Chicago Stars crest features homages to the six-pointed stars of the Chicago flag, Wrigley Field, the Chicago Theater, Lake Michigan, and more.
After a season of success at SeatGeek Stadium, the Stars secured their spot in the playoffs and prepared for the tough battles ahead. They put up a brave fight against the number one seed, Orlando Pride, but fell to the season champions 1-4, knocking them out of the playoffs. The Village of Bridgeview congratulates the Chicago Stars on their solid 2024 performance and wishes them a restful break before their sure-to-be exciting 2025 season.
