Chicago Stars vs Utah Royals - April 3, 2026

UTA

Away

Week 5

Apr 03

8:00 PM

America First Field

NWSL+

CHI

Match: Chicago Stars vs Utah Royals FC - April 3, 2026

WEEk 5

Away

Apr 03

8:00 PM

NWSL+

Utah Royals FC

vs

Chicago Stars FC

America First Field

Sandy, UT

vs

Friday, Apr. 03

8:00 PM

America First Field

Sandy, UT

NWSL+

Live Stats

Preview

Recap

Utah Royals FC

1-2-1

Previous Result

The Royals recorded their first win of the season in a 2-1 victory over Boston Legacy FC at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, March 28.

Chicago Stars FC

1-3-0

Previous Result

The Stars fell 2-0 to San Diego Wave FC on Saturday, March 28 at Snapdragon Stadium.

Match Preview

Chicago Stars FC (1-3-0, 3 pts) will conclude their two-game road trip as they head to Utah to face the Royals (1-2-1, 4pts) on Friday, April 3 at 8 p.m. CT at America First Field. The Stars will aim to collect their first points on the road, while the Royals look for their second-straight win.

Where to Watch

Stream: NWSL+

A chicago stars player in blue kicks the ball against the Utah Royals towards goal

Sjögren at the Helm

After being announced as Chicago’s new head coach late last year, 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 earned his first NWSL win in a 2-1 victory over the reigning NWSL Shield winners, the Kansas City Current on Sunday, March 22. 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.

Season Debuts

Against the Wave, defender Kathrin Hendrich forward Nádia Gomes made their season debuts for the Stars, subbing in at the 60th minute. The pair last saw the pitch in the final match of the 2025 season on November 2 against Angel City FC.

Squad Leaders

Sam Staab and Alyssa Naeher lead the Stars with 360 minutes, playing the entirety of Chicago’s four games this season. Staab also leads the squad with 284 touches, 222 passes, 28 clearances and four blocks. Through four games of action, Brianna Pinto leads with 11 tackles.

Here’s the History

Utah Royals FC

1

Scoring Summary:

74’ Mina Tanaka (Penalty)

Disciplinary Report:

N/A

Lineup:

Mia Justus, Tatumn Milazzo, Kate Del Fava, Kaleigh Riehl, Janni Thomsen (64’ Miyabi Moriya), Dayana Pierre-Louis (85’ Aria Nagai), Ana Tejada, Mina Tanaka, Cloé Lacasse (86’ Brecken Mozingo), Cece Delzer (86’ Courtney Brown), Kiana Palacios (78’ Alexa Spaanstra)

Chicago Stars FC

0

Scoring Summary:

N/A

Disciplinary Report:

N/A

Lineup:

Katie Atkinson, Tessa Dellarose, Sam Staab, Kathrin Hendrich (Aaliyah Farmer 84’), Jenna Bike (65’ Michelle Alozie), Maitane (65’ Bea Franklin), Manaka Hayashi, Ryan Gareis, Julia Grosso (65’ Ivonne Chacón), Jameese Joseph, Nádia Gomes (86’ Micayla Johnson)

Chicago Stars FC Drop Road Contest to Utah Royals FC, 1-0

Chicago Stars FC fell 1-0 to Utah Royals FC in Sandy, Utah on Friday evening. Chicago was led by Katie Atkinson who made eight saves in her debut match as a Star. The match was decided after VAR awarded a penalty kick that resulted in the lone goal of the game.

Match Notes:

Katie Atkinson made her debut in goal for the Chicago Stars.
Atkinson recorded eight saves, her most saves in a regular season match since June 2023.
Kathrin Hendrich captained the Stars on the pitch for the first time.
Maitane made her 50th regular-season NWSL appearance while Jenna Bike made her 50th regular-season appearance as a Chicago Star.
Nádia Gomes led the Stars with eight duels won, while Jameese Joseph led with six possessions won.

How it Happened

Kathrin Hendrich played backup to Atkinson in the 30th minute, notching a key goal-line clearance.
Atkinson protected the net with five saves in the first half to hold the Royals scoreless heading into halftime.
Utah was awarded a penalty kick in the 74th minute following a VAR review that Mina Tanaka converted to decide the game.

Next Match

The Chicago Stars return home to Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium following the international break to take on Boston Legacy on Saturday, April 25, at 5:30 p.m. CT.