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.

Chicago Stars FC announced on August 13 that the club has acquired Simone Charley from USL Gainbridge Super League side Brooklyn FC in exchange for an agreed-upon fee. Charley returns to the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) for the remainder of the 2026 season. Charley has spent most of her professional career in the NWSL, beginning with Portland Thorns FC from 2019-2021. At Portland, the Alabama native made 30 regular-season appearances, scoring five goals and two assists. Charley then joined Angel City FC via trade for the California club’s inaugural 2022 season, recording 22 regular-season appearances and two goals between 2022 and 2023 before joining the Orlando Pride. After sustaining a season-ending-injury in preseason training with the Pride in 2024, Charley made her comeback in 2025, ending the year’s campaign with nine regular-season appearances and one goal. In February 2026, Charley headed across the pond to join Newcastle United for the remainder of the 2025-2026 Barclays Women’s Super League 2 season. Following her time with the Magpies, Charley returned stateside to sign with Brooklyn FC and began preseason training prior to transferring to the Chicago Stars.

After week 17, Sam Staab leads the Stars with 1,658 minutes played, including 18 starts and appearances in Chicago’s 19 matches. Staab also leads the squad with 1,364 touches, 1,032 passes, 118 clearances and 24 blocks. Manaka Hayashi leads the Stars with 40 tackles while Nádia Gomes leads with 67 recoveries. Offensively, Julia Grosso leads Chicago with 18 chances created, while Jameese Joseph leads with 14 shots. Jordyn Huitema leads with four goals, followed by Gomes with two.

The Stars have a 16-10-8 advantage over Houston Dash dating back to 2014. Friday’s match will be the first time Seattle and Chicago face off in the 2026 season.

During Chicago’s last match against Seattle Reign FC on August 14, midfielder Bea Franklin made her 50th NWSL regular-season appearance, all of which have come with the Stars since she was drafted by the club in 2024.

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.