PC: Chicago Stars FC
The Chicago Stars FC opened a new chapter Friday night, but the result remained the same.
Just two days after the club parted ways with head coach Martin Sjögren and assistant coach Anders Jacobson, the Stars fell 1-0 to the Seattle Reign at Lumen Field in their first match under interim head coach Karina Báez.
Báez, who had served as an assistant coach with the Stars for three seasons, was named interim head coach for the remainder of the 2026 NWSL season following Sjögren’s departure.
The coaching change came as Chicago entered Friday’s match with a 4-13-1 record and 13 points, while Seattle entered at 7-7-3 with 24 points.
Despite the abrupt changes surrounding the club, the Stars came out with chances early.
Mallory Swanson registered Chicago’s first shot at the goal in the seventh minute, but Seattle goalkeeper Claudia Dickey made the save.
Seattle tested Chicago goalie Atkinson as early as the eighth minute, when she stopped an effort from McCammon following a Reign corner kick. Atkinson continued to shut down Seattle’s chances, making another save in the 12th minute before the Reign continued to apply pressure.
Maitane added another effort in the 29th minute, and Swanson tested Dickey again in the 32nd.
The two teams went into halftime scoreless, with Chicago continuing to handle Seattle’s attacking pressure.
Seattle finally broke through in the 53rd minute when Maddie Mercado scored, giving the Reign a 1-0 lead.
Chicago continued to search for an equalizer but could not find the breakthrough it needed. Seattle held onto its advantage and won the game in front of the 7,646 fans at Lumen Field.
For the Stars, the defeat marked a difficult beginning to a new coaching era. Báez now takes charge of a Chicago team attempting to turn around its season while navigating a significant transition of her own.
The loss is an unfortunate result for the Stars but the season isn’t over yet. Chicago will look to regroup in its next match and turn its chances into goals
The Stars will return to action looking to find a victory under their new interim coach as the club continues its push through the remainder of the 2026 season.
