Chicago Stars FC (2-4-0, 6 pts) will continue their three-match homestand in a midweek contest against reigning NWSL Champions Gotham FC (2-2-2, 8 pts) on Wednesday, April 29, at 7p.m. CT at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium in Evanston, Illinois. The Stars and Gotham will both be looking for their second straight win.
The Stars will host College Night during Wednesday’s match and offer $1 hot dogs to all fans in attendance. The reigning NCAA champions, the Northwestern field hockey team will kick off the game as the Steam Starters for Wednesday’s match.
Stream: Victory+
After being announced as Chicago’s new head coach late last year, Martin Sjögren’s first season with the Stars is underway. The Swede arrives in Chicago after more than a decade coaching at various Swedish teams and a stint at the helm of the Norwegian Women’s National Team. Sjögren earned his first NWSL win in a 2-1 victory over the reigning NWSL Shield winners, the Kansas City Current on Sunday, March 22. Current assistant coach Anders Jacobson previously joined the Stars in August 2025 as interim head coach ahead of Sjögren's arrival, setting the foundation for what would become the team’s identity under the duo.
In the Stars’ win over Boston, Emma Egizii made her first professional start while Aaliyah Farmer made her first NWSL start. Egizii totaled 23 touches, two duels won and three possessions won. Farmer recorded 31 touches, three duels won, four possessions won, led the squad with two tackles won and was third with six clearances.
In Katie Atkinson’s two games between the posts, she has recorded one clean sheet and 16 saves for a 94.12% save percentage. Atkinson has also totaled five clearances and 22 recoveries. Her eight-save performance in Chicago’s last outing earned her an NWSL Player of the Week nomination.
Tessa Dellarose, Ryan Gareis, Julia Grosso and Sam Staab have played in all six matches for Chicago, with Staab being the only Star to play all 540 minutes. Jordyn Huitema leads the squad with two goals and ranks second in the league for aerial duels won (18) while Gareis leads the Stars with two assists, ranking her third in the NWSL. Michelle Alozie and Dellarose lead Chicago with 11 tackles and Julia Grosso has more recoveries than any other Chicago Star (27). Defensively, Staab leads the Stars with 43 clearances and eight blocks, the third most across the league in blocks and clearances, along with a team-high nine interceptions.
The Stars are 10-7-12 against Gotham FC in regular season matches. Chicago has won seven of the last nine home matches against the reigning NWSL Champions, most recently beating Orlando Pride, 5-2, in September 2025.
Chicago Stars FC fell to Gotham FC 2-0 after a pair of early goals. The Chicago Stars will finish a three-match homestand Sunday against Portland Thorns FC, kicking off at noon CT at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium.
The Chicago Stars finish their three-match homestand at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium hosting, Portland Thorns FC on Sunday, May 3 at noon CT.