Categories: Angel City FCChicago Stars FCNWSL

Stars win Bridgeview finale

Photo: Leslie Smith

Chicago Stars FC 2-1 Angel City FC

BRIDGEVIEW, IL—The 121st and final home match at SeatGeek Stadium for Chicago Stars FC in the NWSL era ended in victory—their first in Bridgeview in 407 days with a 2-1 decision over Angel City FC. The Stars do finish bottom of the NWSL despite the win (3-12-11, 20 points) for the second time in three seasons.

They finish their record at SeatGeek Stadium with a 54-38-29 record in all competitions which includes the last ten season, plus a handful of games between 2013 and 2015. Next season, the Stars will play at Northwestern’s Martin Stadium.

This was also the final match for Angel City’s Christen Press and Ali Riley who both entered as substitutes. Press nearly got one on her former squad in the 81st only to be stopped by Alyssa Naeher.

“I think more than anything just to be able to keep us tied, keep us in the game, and give us a chance, um, to keep pushing,” said Naeher. But, I don’t think I wanted to be the last person that Kristin Press scored on.”

It was level at that point. Angel City took the lead in the 23rd minute after Miyabi Moriya was given space in the area to shoot and score after receiving a cross from Nealy Martin. The Stars leveled four minutes into the second half after converting a turnover into a counter attack and a goal for Jameese Joseph that was upheld by VAR upon suspicion of a foul in the buildup by Bea Franklin.

Nine minutes of stoppage time was given and it was in the eighth of those minutes when Ally Schlegel scored off a rebound attempt after her initial shot was saved by Angelina Anderson. This goal was also checked by VAR, but confirmed.

It has been a long season to say the least for the Stars who saw four different coaches and will have a fifth come in at the start of the 2026 season in Martin Sjögren who is concluding at Swedish side Hammarby.

“We feel like we’ve gone through four different seasons in one this year,” said Naeher. “I have so much respect for this group, for this team. I’m very proud of the way that, you know, everyone continued to show up every single day through four coaching changes and a lot of adversity, and to be able to continue to, to grind each and every game and, and put everything we had into it. I think it’s deserved to be able to come away with a win in the last game.”

Anders Jacobsen had been running things as the interim coach and will move back to being an assistant with Sjögren takes over. Jacobsen said that the two have kept in contact weekly.

“In an overall picture, we have a very clear big picture, him and I. So he is really part of it., but you will see more of him for next season,” said Jacobsen.

So there will be a lot to do with this offseason for the Stars as players like Naeher and Schlegel are free agents, Mallory Swanson expected to return from maternity leave, a new coach, and a new home for in Evanston in 2026. As the Stars move North, it is hoped that their fortunes will move them that direction as well in 2026.

Photos by Leslie Smith. We thank her, Amanda Cortese, and Len Cederholm for their contributions this season.

SCORING SUMMARY:
LA-Miyabi (Martin) 23
CHI-Jameese Joseph (Nadia Gomes) 49
CHI-Ally Schlegel (unassisted) 90+8

BOOKING SUMMARY:
LA-Maiara Niehues (caution, reckless foul) 30
CHI-Taylor Malham (caution, tactical foul) 56

CHICAGO RED STARS (4-3-3): #1-Alyssa Naeher; #32-Taylor Malham, #3-Sam Staab, #6-Katherin Hendrich, #30-Camryn Biegalski (#12-Natalia Kuikka 84); #20-Bea Franklin, #34-Ally Schlegel, #13-Leilani Nesbeth (#16-Manaka Hayashi 75); #26-Nadia Gomes (#14-Ludmilla 75), #18-Ivonne Chacon, #8-Jameese Joseph

Subs not used: #22-Halle Mackiewicz, #2-Sam Cary, #7-Ava Cook, #11-Meg Boade, #24-Jenna Bike, #41-Hannah Anderson

ANGEL CITY FC (3-4-2-1): #19-Angelina Anderson; #29-Miyabi, #30-Sara Doorsoun, #11-Sarah Gorden; #12-Maiara Niehues (#17-Kennedy Fuller 58), #6-Megan Reid, #14-Nealy Martin, #20-Gisele Thompson (#5-Ali Riley 90+2); #32-Sveindis Jonsdottir (#23-Christen Press 58), #33-Riley Tiernan, #7-Hina Sugita

Subs not used: #13-Hannah Seabert, #25-Sophia Mattice, #99-Madison Hammond

TOTAL SHOTS: CHI 5-5 LA
SHOTS ON GOAL: CHI 13-11 LA
FOULS: CHI 14-14 LA
OFFSIDES: CHI 2-1 LA
CORNER KICKS: CHI 3-4 LA
SAVES: CHI 4-3 LA

Referee: Lauren Aldrich
Referee’s Assistants: Christian Little, Jake Brochu
Fourth Official: Calin Radosav
VAR: Anya Voigt
AVAR: Matthew Seem
Weather: Mostly Sunny and 53º
Attendance: 4,219
Woman of the Match: Ally Schlegel (CHI)