On August 12, Karina Báez was named as the Stars' interim head coach for the remainder of the 2026 NWSL season, leading the team for the first time during its match at Seattle on Aug. 14 and securing her first win on Aug. 23 as the team beat Racing Louisville 3-2.

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 18, Sam Staab leads the Stars with 1,838 minutes played, including 20 starts and appearances in all of Chicago’s 21 matches. Staab also leads the squad with 1,509 touches, 1,145 passes, 129 clearances and 30 blocks. Maitane leads Chicago with 41 tackles and 73 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 with two.

Chicago and Denver will go head-to-head for the first time on August 29 in the Summit’s inaugural NWSL season. The last time the Stars faced an expansion team was earlier this season when they took on Boston Legacy FC. Chicago split the series with Boston, winning 2-0 in their first meeting at Martin Stadium before falling 2-0 to the Legacy at Centreville Bank Stadium.

During Chicago’s last match against Racing Louisville FC on August 23, interim head coach Karina Báez recorded her first win at the helm of the Stars. Forward Micayla Johnson also made her first professional start against Louisville. Johnson began her professional career when she signed with Chicago in 2025 at 17 years old. Mallory Swanson scored her 35th NWSL regular season goal to become the 24th player to reach this mark. Her goal was also her 25th regular season goal for the Stars, making her the third player to reach the tally for the club. Michelle Alozie recorded her first assist for the Stars, while Nádia Gomes and Swanson also recorded their first assists of the season. Jameese Joseph and Julia Grosso also recorded their first goals of the season.

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.