File Photo: Leslie Smith
STARS: On Friday, the Chicago Stars restart their season after nearly a month off with a home tilt against Gotham FC (7pm, NWSL+). The Stars currently sit just one point above the bottom on just six points from 13 matches and just one win which was away at Bay FC. Gotham currently sit in the eighth and final playoff spot ahead of North Caroling on goal difference.
Coach Masaki Hemmi left the Stars on July 3rd and Ella Masar is now the interim coach for the second time after finishing out the 2023 season following the removal of Chris Petrucelli. The Stars recently extended the contract of midfielder Bea Franklin through 2027. Defender Kathrin Hendrich is expected to make her league debut on Friday after participating at Women’s Euro 2025.
Photo: Leslie Smith
FIRE: The plus side of the Fire’s 1-0 win over New York Red Bulls was that they defending well for the second straight week. What is concerning is that the Fire had several chances to put the match away with another goal, but took none of them. Too many times, the Fire have been looking for that perfect final touch in the attacking third and the chance gets spurned. A better team than the Red Bulls would punish them.
Still, a win is a win and the Fire are currently in the playoff places. The Fire take next weekend off while Leagues Cup takes place between Major League Soccer and Liga MX. The Fire’s next match is scheduled for Saturday, August 9th against LAFC at SeatGeek Stadium (7:30pm, Apple TV).
FIRE II: Chicago Fire II thrashed the Red Bulls’ MLS NEXT Pro side, 9-2, at SeatGeek Stadium on Sunday. It is the most goals in an MLS NEXT Pro match ever both for one team and combined score (11). Jason Shokalook scored four goals while Claudio Cassano scored two goals and two assists. Brian Dowd made his long-awaited debut in goal for CF2.
Red Bulls II remain top of the Eastern Conference table despite the thrashing having more wins than Philadelphia Union II with points identical. CF2 move to third in the East with the win. Chicago Fire FC II will next face Columbus Crew 2 on Sunday, August 3 at SeatGeek Stadium (1pm, Apple TV).
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