Are Chicago Stars finally finding their feet in the 2025 NWSL season? | OneFootball

The Chicago Stars still sit bottom of the NWSL table, but there have been improvements since the decision to fire manager Lorne Donaldson. How have the Stars improved in their two games after Donaldson?

Chicago's goal-scoring drought is over

Before Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Washington Spirit, the Stars hadn't scored a goal in three games, picking up only one point in that stretch. So seeing Julia Grosso and Sam Staab find the net against the Spirit is an encouraging sign, even if it wasn't enough to earn a point.

Grosso and Staab became just the third and fourth Stars players to score this season. And maybe some positive momentum will build up front as the Stars head into their next fixture against the NC Courage.

Staying close with Top Teams

The Stars have played to a -1 goal differential in their last two matches against Gotham FC and the Spirit. Both teams have been good this season, although Gotham has fallen out of the top four of the table.

Securing a goalless draw against Gotham was a big accomplishment for this Chicago side. Gotham has been lethal in front of goal, especially when Esther Gonzalez is at her best.

The defense couldn't replicate the same feat against the Spirit. But even so, Chicago looked like a new team. Toward the end, Chicago had a few good sequences and looked threatening in front of the goal. If they can improve even further, Chicago make a midseason run and maybe even get back into playoff contention.