Chicago Stars FC (0-1-0, 0 pts) begins their home slate in their new stadium Saturday, March 22 at 1:15 p.m. CT against the Kansas City Current (1-0-0, 3 pts). The Stars look to bring back the brilliance of their 2025 win at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium to secure their first win of the 2026 season against the Current.
Fans can get the party started early by hopping on a Jameson Pub to Pitch bus to get to Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. When gates open at 11:30 a.m. CT, the first 1,000 fans will be treated to the special Home Opener-themed beanie patch and the first 3,000 fans will receive thunder sticks to make noise and hype up the Stars on the pitch during the match. The Jameson Fan Zone will have a live band and fun for the whole family and the Stars will have Olympic speed skater Sarah Warren down on the field prematch to take part in the club’s new Steam Starter tradition.
National Broadcast: ESPN2
Stream: ESPN app
After being announced as Chicago’s new head coach last season, 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’s now looking for his first win with the club, just as the Chicago Stars are looking for three points to start their two-match homestand on the right foot. 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.
Two of Chicago’s three rookies, Tessa Dellarose and Emma Egizii, featured in the Stars’ season opener. Both Dellarose and Egizii made their professional debuts in the 72nd minute March 15, with Dellarose finishing the match with a 90% passing accuracy.
Five of the six other new Stars with previous professional experience saw the pitch in Chicago’s season opener: Michelle Alozie, Aaliyah Farmer, Ryan Gareis, Jordyn Huitema and Brianna Pinto. All played key roles in the match, with Alozie, Gareis, Huitema and Pinto shining in the Starting XI. Katie Atkinson featured on the bench as backup goalkeeper.
Chicago Stars FC earned their first three points of the season in their home opener today with a 2-1 win against reigning NWSL Shield winners, the Kansas City Current. Chicago rookie Tessa Dellarose got the scoring started with her first professional goal in the 43rd minute to give the Stars the lead just before halftime. After the break, Julia Grosso and Ryan Gareis connected to pick up where Dellarose left off and the two put together the perfect opportunity for Jordyn Huitema to double Chicago’s lead with a header in the 50th minute. The Current pulled one back a few minutes later at the 57 mark, but Chicago kept calm and collected for the remainder of the match to secure three points.
The first half began was a back-and-forth for both sides as the Stars showed solid defensive composure for the first 20 minutes but then began to shine on the attack. Grosso flew up the center lane in the 36th minute, sending the ball wide to the left for Gareis, who took it into the box and set up a shot for Huitema, who barely missed getting a touch on the ball. The near miss was no worry though, as rookie Tessa Dellarose was ready to put Chicago ahead. Sam Staab whipped in a corner that deflected off of Kansas City’s Gabrielle Robinson and Dellarose volleyed it past Kansas City’s keeper. The Stars went on to keep the Current at bay for the remainder of the half, heading into the locker room at halftime up 1-0.
The momentum from the goal energized Chicago into the second half and the Stars quickly doubled their lead when Grosso took over possession in the 50th minute. Streaking up the center of the pitch, Grosso tapped the ball into the right side of the 18-yard box for Ryan Gareis, who sent a one-touch cross towards Jordyn Huitema, who ran in and smashed the ball into the back of the net with a header. Kansas City pulled one back shortly after in the 57th minute, but Chicago kept it together and quieted the Current for the remainder of the match to secure the win.
Chicago Stars FC returns to Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium on Wednesday, March 25, to face off with the Orlando Pride at 7 p.m. CT. The Stars previously beat Orlando 5-2 in the club's first match at Martin Stadium in 2025.
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