NWSL | Chicago Stars FC

Chicago Stars FC announced today Bea Franklin as its nominee for the 2025 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide, recognizing an NWSL player for outstanding service and character off the pitch. All 14 nominees were announced by the league today.

The Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide, was introduced in 2024 to honor the two-time Olympic gold medalist, FIFA Women’s World Cup champion, National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee, and recipient of the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian ESPY Award Lauren Holiday. It spotlights players who exemplify dedication and commitment to giving back in service of their local communities.

After all 14 nominees are celebrated over the course of the season, one winner will be announced during Championship weekend. At that time, Nationwide will make a $50,000 donation to the charitable organization of the winner’s choice.

Since being drafted by the Chicago Stars, Bea Franklin has exhibited a strong dedication to the Chicago community and is one of the most eager players to volunteer for any community opportunities hosted or partnered on by the club. The work of Digs with Dignity represents one of Franklin’s favorite ways to contribute to the city: helping those impacted by homelessness. Transforming houses into homes by providing everything from necessities to everyday comforts that can be financially inaccessible for families transitioning out of homelessness, Digs with Dignity helps break the cycle of housing insecurity and combat furniture waste. Franklin and her teammates previously teamed up with Digs with Dignity for a “DIGS Day,” helping fully furnish, decorate and stock an apartment for a mother and three young children.

Franklin also frequently takes part in other community efforts to help educate young children, combat food insecurity and increase accessibility to soccer. In addition to guest appearances Chicago Stars FC youth camps and clinics, the midfielder has dedicated time to Higher Ground USA’s adaptive sports programs and Girls Inc. of Chicago.

“I am so honored to be the nominee for the Chicago Stars and help bring a spotlight to Digs with Dignity,” said Bea Franklin. “Everyone deserves to have a place that looks, feels and is home to them with the added bonus of giving furniture and house goods a second life.”

"We are thrilled to recognize Bea Franklin as this year's Lauren Holiday Impact Award nominee for the Chicago Stars," said Noelle Schmitt, director of community for Chicago Stars FC. "Bea's giving spirit and desire to serve the community perfectly embodies the ethos of this award. Digs With Dignity is a great organization that empowers women and uplifts individuals. We are very excited to partner with them for this campaign to recognize the wonderful work happening in our community."

The winner will be determined by a panel of judges that will include Lauren Holiday, NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman, and representatives from Nationwide, NWSLPA, and Media Association.

For more information on Bea Franklin and the Lauren Holiday Impact Award, click here.

About Chicago Stars FC
Established in 2007 as the Chicago Red Stars, Chicago Stars FC is the premier women’s soccer franchise in the city of Chicago and one of the original eight clubs to form the National Women’s Soccer League in 2013. The Chicago Stars have made the NWSL playoffs eight times, seven consecutive, for the second highest playoff appearances in the league, and appeared in the NWSL Championship in 2019 and 2021, finishing as the runners-up both times. The club also made it to the inaugural Challenge Cup final in 2020 and currently holds the NWSL single-match attendance record.

About NWSL
The National Women’s Soccer League is the premier women’s professional soccer league in the world featuring national team players from around the globe. The clubs are Angel City FC, Bay FC, Boston Legacy FC, Chicago Stars, Denver FC, Houston Dash, Kansas City Current, NJ/NY Gotham FC, North Carolina Courage, Orlando Pride, Portland Thorns FC, Racing Louisville FC, San Diego Wave FC, Seattle Reign FC, Utah Royals FC, and Washington Spirit.

About Nationwide
Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the United States. Nationwide is rated A+ by Standard & Poor’s. An industry leader in driving customer-focused innovation, Nationwide provides a full range of insurance and financial services products including auto, business, homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities and mutual funds; excess & surplus, specialty and surety; and pet, motorcycle and boat insurance. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.

Chicago Red Stars forward, Mallory Swanson, earned her second-consecutive National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Goal of the Week award, the league announced today.

In the opening minute of first-half stoppage time of Chicago’s July 6 home match against the Houston Dash, Dash midfielder and former Red Star, Yuki Nagasato, passed the ball to teammate Ramona Bachmann. Immediate pressure from Red Stars Bea Franklin and Tatumn Milazzo held Bachmann off from moving the ball out of Houston’s defensive end. Bachmann attempted to pass backward and reset the play to gain advantage, but Chicago midfielder and rookie, Leilanni Nesbeth, ran forward to intercept the ball. Immediately identifying Mallory Swanson with yards of open field behind her, Nesbeth took a one-touch pass that angled itself tightly behind Nagasato and into the empty space. Tracking the ball, Swanson promptly reversed course and dribbled more centrally while Houston’s defense frantically backtracked. As the Dash back line closed in, Swanson spotted a gap between two defenders and rocketed off a powerful left-footed shot just outside the 18-yard box. Houston goalkeeper, Jane Campbell, dove left to attempt a save, but the ball was lofted too high to stop, flying into the top left corner of the net.

Swanson’s fourth goal in as many games ties the longest single-season goalscoring streak in Red Stars history (Sam Kerr in 2018, Jen Hoy in 2014) and marked the Colorado native’s 50th regular-season goal contribution (33 goals, 17 assists). At 26 years and 68 days old, Swanson is the fourth-youngest player in NWSL history to reach the milestone, behind Sophia Smith, Sam Kerr and Lynn Williams. Swanson earns the Goal of the Week honor for the second-consecutive week, receiving the award in Week 14 for her 67th-minute goal against San Diego Wave FC June 28. Chicago rookies set up both award-winning goals, with Jameese Joseph recording the assist June 28 and Leilanni Nesbeth earning the assist July 6, the first assist by a Bermudian national in NWSL history. Additionally, Swanson is the second Red Star to win back-to-back weekly NWSL honors, following defender Tatumn Milazzo earning NWSL Save of the Week awards, presented by Deloitte, in Weeks 4 and 5.

Swanson and Chicago goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher now join the United States Olympic Women’s Soccer Team for a pair of send-off matches prior to the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Red Stars next host New Jersey/New York Gotham FC July 20 at 4:00 p.m. CT to open 2024 NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup play at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois. The Red Stars will welcome two-time Olympian and new signing, Julia Grosso, three-time Olympian Naeher and two-time Olympian Swanson back to Chicago September 8, hosting the Orlando Pride at 5:00 p.m. CT. Tickets to all Chicago Red Stars home matches can be purchased at chicagoredstars.com/tickets.

Chicago Red Stars goalkeeper, Alyssa Naeher, and forward, Mallory Swanson received National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Week 14 honors, the league announced today. Naeher earns NWSL Save of the Week, presented by Deloitte, while Swanson earns the NWSL Goal of the Week award for their respective performances in Chicago’s 3-0 shutout of San Diego Wave FC June 28.

In the 51st minute of the June 28 road match, San Diego Wave forward, Jaedyn Shaw, worked her way into space a few yards outside the 18-yard box. With space, Shaw sent a strong shot from distance towards the upper right corner of the net. To Shaw’s misfortune, Alyssa Naeher was laser focused on the shot from the center of the line. Naeher sprang into action, jumping towards the ball and managing to get a hand on the ball to tip it just above the crossbar with a full extension at the last second. The save preserved Chicago’s 1-0 lead over the Wave and, ultimately, the clean sheet for Chicago.

Goal of the Week recipient Mallory Swanson would double the scoreline Naeher kept steady in the 67th minute. The goal’s lead up began with Red Stars rookie forward, Jameese Joseph, following San Diego’s back line passing the ball around outside their defensive third. Joseph moved forward from the midfield as the Wave’s Hanna Lundkvist looked to pass the ball towards San Diego’s attack, applying pressure and forcing the Wave defender to change direction. Joseph seized the moment with Lundkvist’s back turned to her, the rookie bringing herself shoulder-to-shoulder with her opponent, challenging for the ball and coming away with possession. Both Joseph and a wide-open Mallory Swanson put on bursts of speed as Swanson called for the ball, identifying yards of open space in the box beyond the last defender ahead of Joseph. An easy pass from Joseph placed the ball perfectly at Swanson’s feet, and after taking a single touch to control the ball, Swanson hammered a left-footed shot just outside the left corner of the six-yard box. San Diego goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan found herself backpedaling as the shot whistled in, looking like it might fly just above the net, but the ball lowered just enough to glance off the crossbar and into the back of the net. Swanson’s sixth goal of 2024 helped Chicago win the match with a 3-0 clean sheet and advanced Swanson into fourth position for the Golden Boot Race.

The Goal of the Week honor is Swanson’s first such award of her career and marks the first time a Red Star has earned the honor since 2019 (Sam Kerr, Week 16). Naeher’s eighth career Save of the Week honor is the keeper’s second in 2024, following her Week 1 Save of the Week win March 20. Naeher is the second Red Star to earn two Save of the Week honors in 2024, joining fellow Week 15 Save of the Week nominee, defender and Orland Park native, Tatumn Milazzo, who won back-to-back Save of the Week awards in Weeks 4 and 5.

Naeher, Swanson and the Red Stars return home from a three-week road trip to host the Houston Dash July 6. Gates open at 11 a.m. CT for Kids Day celebrations at SeatGeek Stadium July 6 before kickoff at 12 p.m. CT. Tickets to Chicago Red Stars home matches can be purchased at chicagoredstars.com/tickets. Following the match, three-time Olympian Naeher and two-time Olympian Swanson will join the United States Olympic Women’s Soccer Team for a pair of send-off matches prior to departing for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Chicago Red Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, earned National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Deloitte Impact Save of the Week honors, the league announced today.

Seven minutes into the eight minutes of added time in the second half of the Red Stars season opener against Utah Royals FC at America First Field in Sandy, Utah, Utah’s Ally Sentnor sent a free kick from outside Chicago’s 18-yard box. Royals forward Ifeoma Onumonu received the kick with her head, redirecting the ball towards the upper right of the goal. Naeher, already moving out into the field of play, quickly reversed course and jumped towards the shot. It seemed likely that Naeher would just miss connecting with the ball, but the keeper miraculously managed to brush the shot with the tip of her glove just before the ball crossed the line. The touch tipped the shot mere millimeters over the crossbar, sending the ball bouncing off the top of the netting and out of play.

The last-minute save effectively ended the match and kept Chicago’s 2-0 shutout result alive while bringing Naeher’s save count in the match up to five. In addition to clinching the win for Chicago, the clean sheet marked Naeher’s 44th perfect regular-season match of career.

Naeher is no stranger to Save of the Week honors, receiving the award six other times since 2016, most recently in 2019. Former Red Star Casey Krueger also earned the title in October 2023 following a goal-line clearance in Chicago’s match versus Racing Louisville FC. Krueger’s save also, coincidentally, occurred seven minutes into the allotted eight minutes of stoppage time and secured a clean sheet for the Red Stars against Louisville.

Naeher and the Red Stars return to Chicago for the club’s Home Opener match March 23 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois. The match will stream live on NWSL+, with kickoff set for 3:00 PM CT. Fans can purchase tickets to the match at chicagoredstars.com/tickets. The first 1,000 fans in attendance at the Home Opener will receive an exclusive 2024 Home Opener scarf.

The Chicago Red Stars and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) announced today the schedule for the 2023 NWSL season. In addition to releasing regular-season dates, the NWSL revealed the 2023 Challenge Cup matches, which will run concurrently with the regular season for the first time in league history.

The 2023 season will see the Red Stars play 14 matches at home, including notable matchups against: San Diego Wave FC, a rematch of the 2023 NWSL quarterfinals; the Washington Spirit, a rematch of the 2021 NWSL Championship; the Kansas City Current, runners up in the 2022 NWSL Championship; and the Portland Thorns, the 2022 NWSL champions. The matches against San Diego and Kansas City in Chicago will mark the return of long-time, former Red Stars players Danielle Colaprico, Rachel Hill, Vanessa DiBernardo and Morgan Gautrat.

Following the conclusion of the 2023 NWSL season, six teams will qualify for the playoffs, which begin with the quarterfinals, played Sunday, October 22, followed by the semifinals, played Saturday, November 4. The playoffs culminate with the 2023 NWSL Championship Saturday, November 11.

Fans have a variety of options to secure tickets to Chicago Red Stars home matches at SeatGeek Stadium including saving 20 percent per match, free, guaranteed parking and other exciting perks for season ticket members. Flex Packs are also available and allow fans to select plans with either eight or 14 tickets with four parking passes and the freedom to create their own schedule. Single-game tickets will also be available starting tomorrow, February 9, at 1 p.m. CT.

To secure their tickets or learn more about the various options, fans can visit chicagoredstars.com/tickets, or call (312)-241-2069.

Below is the full Chicago Red Stars schedule for the 2023 season. Home games are bolded and * indicate Challenge Cup matches.

Date	Opponent	Venue	Time
Saturday, March 25	San Diego Wave FC	Snapdragon Stadium	9:00 p.m. CT
Saturday, April 1	Houston Dash	SeatGeek Stadium	1:00 p.m. CT
Saturday, April 15	Kansas City Current	SeatGeek Stadium	7:00 p.m. CT
Saturday, April 22	OL Reign	Lumen Field	2:30 p.m. CT
Saturday, April 29	Washington Spirit	SeatGeek Stadium	7:00 p.m. CT
Wednesday, May 3*	Houston Dash	Shell Energy Stadium	7:00 p.m. CT
Sunday, May 7	NJ/NY Gotham FC	SeatGeek Stadium	5:00 p.m. CT
Friday, May 12	Racing Louisville FC	Lynn Family Stadium	6:30 p.m. CT
Sunday, May 21	Portland Thorns	Providence Park	4:00 p.m. CT
Saturday, May 27	Orlando Pride	SeatGeek Stadium	7:00 p.m. CT
Wednesday, May 31*	Racing Louisville FC	SeatGeek Stadium	7:00 p.m. CT
Sunday, June 4	Angel City FC	BMO Stadium	7:00 p.m. CT
Saturday, June 10	NC Courage	SeatGeek Stadium	TBA
Wednesday, June 14*	Kansas City Current	Children's Mercy Park	7:00 p.m. CT
Sunday, June 18	Portland Thorns	SeatGeek Stadium	5:00 p.m. CT
Sunday, June 25	NJ/NY Gotham FC	Red Bull Arena	4:30 p.m. CT
Saturday, July 1	San Diego Wave	SeatGeek Stadium	7:00 p.m. CT
Friday, July 7	Houston Dash	Shell Energy Stadium	7:30 p.m. CT
Friday, July 21*	Racing Louisville FC	Lynn Family Stadium	7:00 p.m. CT
Saturday, July 29*	Kansas City Current	SeatGeek Stadium	7:00 p.m. CT
Saturday, August 5*	Houston Dash	SeatGeek Stadium	7:00 p.m. CT
Sunday, August 20	Orlando Pride	Exploria Stadium	6:00 p.m. CT
Sunday, August 27	NC Courage	WakeMed Soccer Park	1:00 p.m. CT
Sunday, September 3	Washington Spirit	Audi Field	4:00 p.m. CT
Sunday, September 17	Angel City FC	SeatGeek Stadium	5:00 p.m. CT
Saturday, September 30	Racing Louisville FC	SeatGeek Stadium	7:00 p.m. CT
Saturday, October 7	Kansas City Current	Children's Mercy Park	7:00 p.m. CT
Sunday, October 15	OL Reign	SeatGeek Stadium	4 p.m. CT

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) today released the list of NWSL players named to the 2022 NWSL Best XI First and Second Teams. Chicago Red Stars forward Mallory Pugh was named to the 2022 NWSL Best XI First Team, while Red Stars defender, Tatumn Milazzo, was named to the 2022 Best XI Second Team.

Ranked fifth in the NWSL in goals scored, Pugh was a force on the field for the Red Stars this season, scoring 11 of the team’s 34 regular-season goals and earning an assist in six others, helping the Red Stars clinch a playoff spot for the seventh-consecutive year. Pugh’s 11 goals placed her fifth in the NWSL Golden Boot race, behind San Diego’s Alex Morgan (16), Portland’s Sophia Smith (14) and North Carolina’s Debinha (12) and Diana Ordóñez (11). The veteran Red Star’s six assists also tied Pugh with North Carolina’s Carson Pickett for most assists in the league. In addition, Pugh placed second for most shots (53) and shots on goal (33) behind Portland’s Sophia Smith (76 and 49, respectively). During the 2022 season, Pugh also earned two call ups to the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT), where she notched a goal against Costa Rica in the 2022 CONCACAF W semifinal in Mexico on July 14.

Named to the 2022 NWSL Best XI Second Team, Milazzo played an integral role for the Red Stars on defense all season, starting in every regular-season match. The Orland Park native only missed 29 minutes of the 2022 regular season after being subbed during the Red Stars’ match versus North Carolina Saturday, August 20. In her sophomore season, Milazzo doubled her offensive stats this season scoring 2 goals and marking an assist while supporting a defensive line that struggled with absences and injuries throughout the 2022 regular season. On defense, Milazzo led all defenders in clearances (103) and interceptions (58), while also accumulating a 66.7 percent successful tackle percentage.

This is the first time Milazzo and Pugh have been named to their respective Best XI teams. Last year, Pugh earned a spot in the 2021 Best XI Second Team, and earlier this year she was named to the NWSL Best XI of the Month in May and June. Milazzo was also a part of the June Best XI of the Month this season, with an 83 percent passing accuracy and winning more than half of all duels, aerial duels and tackles in June.

The NWSL Best XI First Team and Best XI Second Team are based on a weighted voting scale comprised of players (50%), owners/GMs/coaches (20%), media (20%) and fans (10%).