Stars continue record worst campaign

EVANSTON, IL—Perhaps the only positive for Chicago Stars FC is that there are just three more matches left in the 2026 season. Every loss now is a new record and as well as every goal they concede going forward. They may also end up tying the fewest goals per game in NWSL history (0.50 by Washington in 2018). They are definitely on pace to break their own record for worst ever goal difference (-33 in 2025).

The Stars lost their 20th match of the season and have now shipped 63 goals after Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Denver Summit. The goal difference now stands at -48.

Denver needed just eight minutes to go ahead. Janine Sonis meant to send a cross, but the wind took the ball over Katie Atkinson’s head and into the net. The next two goals went to Lindsey Heaps.

In the 26th minute, Heaps managed to get enough of a touch from a low cross from Sonis and past both Atkinson and Sam Staab to put it into the net. Heaps again bundled a ball over the line in the 76th minute for a brace.

Before the match, it was announced that defender Leila Ouahabi had mutually parted ways with the club and that Ouahabi has joined Gotham FC through 2028.

The Stars’ penultimate home game will be Saturday, October 18th, against Seattle Reign. Kickoff is at 6pm CT on Rokuchannel.

Photos by Len Cederholm

SCORING SUMMARY
DEN-Janine Sonis (Regan) 8
DEN-Lindsey Heaps (Sonis) 26
DEN-Lindsey Heaps (unassisted) 76

BOOKING SUMMARY
CHI-Michelle Alozie (caution, reckless foul) 20

CHICAGO STARS (4-1-4-1): #27-Katie Atkinson; #11-Nadia Gomes, #3-Sam Staab, #20-Bea Franklin, #5-Michelle Alozie; #34-Tessa Dellarose (#31-Anna Gasper 77); #23-Micayla Johnson (#14-Taylor Wood 77), #28-Emma Egizii (#4-Jenna Bike 46), #7-Julia Grosso (#25-Aaliyah Farmer), #9-Mallory Swanson (#18-Simone Charley 60); #10-Brianna Pinto

Subs not used: #1-Alyssa Naeher, #22-Halle Mackiewicz, #6-Oihane Valdezate, #15-Elise Evans

DENVER SUMMIT (4-2-3-1): #1-Abby Smith; #6-Janine Sonis, #3-Kaleigh Kurtz, #23-Eva Gatino, #7-Ayo Oke (#20-Naomi Eto 88); #24-Delanie Sheehan, #8-Emma Regan; #18-Yuzuki Yamamoto (#13-Gemma Bonner 62), #10-Lindsey Heaps, #9-Yazmeen Ryan; #26-Natasha Flint (#25-Melissa Kössler 74)

Subs not used: #36-Kat Asman, #2-Megan Reid, #4-Natalie Means, #5-Devin Lynch, #14-Yuna McCormack, #33-Olivia Thomas

TOTAL SHOTS: CHI 10-17 DEN
SHOTS ON GOAL: CHI 4-6 DEN
FOULS: CHI 6-8 DEN
OFFSIDES: CHI 3-0 DEN
CORNER KICKS: CHI 1-6 DEN
SAVES: CHI 3-4 DEN

Referee: Jamie Padilla
Assistant Referees: Sarah Gaddes, Audra Fullen
4th Official: Igor Bych
VAR: Brad Jensen
AVAR: Melissa Beck
Weather: Sunny and 69º
Attendance: 4,614
Woman of the Match: Lindsay Heaps (DEN)