On August 12, Karina Báez was named as the interim head coach for the remainder of the 2026 NWSL season, leading the Stars for the first time during the team’s match at Seattle on Aug. 14.

Now in her third season with the club, Báez previously focused primarily on analytics as an assistant coach. Prior to joining the Stars, Báez worked as a scout for the Mexico Women’s National Team, bringing extensive experience in player evaluation and match analysis. Before her national team role, Báez spent several years in Liga MX Femenil, serving as an assistant coach with both Pachuca and Tigres while also contributing to the development of each club’s U-15 and U-17 programs. In 2021, she was named head coach of Pumas UNAM Femenil, leading the team through the 2021-22 season and further establishing herself as one of the rising coaching talents in Mexican women’s soccer.

After week 19, Sam Staab leads the Stars with 1,928 minutes played, including 21 starts and appearances in all of Chicago’s 22 matches. Staab also leads the squad with 1,584 touches, 1,198 passes, 134 clearances and 29 blocks. Maitane leads Chicago with 40 tackles and 74 recoveries. Offensively, Julia Grosso leads Chicago with 18 chances created, while Jameese Joseph leads with 18 shots. Jordyn Huitema leads with four goals, followed by Gomes, Grosso and Swanson with two apiece.

The Stars are 6-11-6 against the Courage dating back to 2017 when North Carolina joined the league. Earlier this season, Chicago fell 4-0 to the Courage at First Horizon Stadium on May 16. In that match team captain Mallory Swanson made her return to the pitch after being on maternity leave starting at the beginning of the 2025 season.

During Chicago’s last match against Denver Summit FC on August 29, Maitane made her 50th regular season NWSL start while Grosso made her 50th regular season NWSL appearance, all of which have been with the Stars. Forward Simone Charley made her first appearance for the Stars since signing with Chicago on August 13.

Goalkeeper Katie Atkinson was announced by the league as the Chicago Stars’ nominee for the 2026 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide, which recognizes an NWSL Player for outstanding service and character off the pitch and in the community. Atkinson will team up with Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. The center is nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report for pediatric oncology and treats more children with cancer and blood disorders than any other hospital in Illinois. Before joining the Chicago Stars, Atkinson was previously Racing Louisville FC’s nominee for the 2024 edition of the award, partnering with another local children’s hospital, Norton Children’s. Lund worked extensively with pediatric oncology organizations throughout her time in Louisville and plans to continue doing so in Chicago, beginning with the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Lurie Children’s.