Credit: Russell Lansford-Imagn Images
Our long winter of discontent is about to draw to a close, as the 2025 National Women’s Soccer League season officially kicks off on Friday. All 14 teams look differently than they did a year ago, some moreso than others. Let’s ask some real questions of every club’s prospects for the new year.
Click here to read Part I.
Do the Chicago Stars have what it takes to return to the postseason?
The Chicago Stars FC enter the 2025 season without a couple of franchise-defining elements: the ‘Red Stars’ nickname has been dropped (to much mixed reaction), and taliswoman Mallory Swanson is on an indefinite leave of absence from the club for personal reasons. Swanson has officially been ruled out of the start of the NWSL season.
Despite a rocky finish to the season, the Stars crept over the playoff line only to be soundly defeated 4-1 by eventual champions Orlando Pride. Much of the Stars’ 2024 roster returns, including goalkeeping stalwart Alyssa Naeher, post-Olympic addition Brazilian international Ludmilla and forward Ally Schlegel — who quietly tied Swanson’s goal output last season. Previous iron woman and center back Sam Staab is also slated to return following an achilles tear. Former Atletico Madrid midfielder Maithane Lopez joins the club from Gotham. However, with the NWSL’s elite teams only strengthening, can the Stars keep shining?
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