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 20, Sam Staab leads the Stars with 2,018 minutes played, including 22 starts and appearances in all of Chicago’s 23 matches. Staab also leads the squad with 1,676 touches, 1,273 passes, 143 clearances and 29 blocks. Maitane leads Chicago with 28 interceptions and 75 recoveries. Offensively, Julia Grosso leads Chicago with 19 chances created, while Nádia Gomes leads with 14 shots. Jordyn Huitema leads with four goals, followed by Gomes, Grosso and Swanson with two apiece.

The Stars are 5-12-16 against the Thorns dating back to the inaugural NWSL season in 2013.

During Chicago’s last match against North Carolina Courage on September 6, Taylor Wood made her 50th regular season NWSL start. All 50 starts have been in a Stars jersey.

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.