The new era of free agency is here
By Lesley Ryder
The NWSL hot stove is on, and the Red Stars have made their first move signing free agent Maitane Lopez to a two-year contract.
Maitane previously played as a center back for Gotham FC, but it seems from the headline of Chicago’s announcement, they intend to play her in midfield. It’s a positional homecoming for Maitane, who played as a center and defensive midfielder for Atletico Madrid, and one the Red Stars hope to see her excel in once more.
What can fans expect to see? FBref compares Maitane to players like Andi Sullivan, Nealy Martin, and Danielle Colaprico: tenacious midfielders, with a knack for getting out of trouble. She’ll be a welcome addition to the Red Stars struggle bus midfield.
The Red Stars improved from their last-place finish to a playoff round exit against the eventual champions, the Orlando Pride. But their season-ending losing streak showed the team’s rebuild was still a work in progress. According to FBref, they ranked last in the league in pass completion, possession, progressive passes and carries, and shot creation. One player can’t fix all these issues, but with Maitane working in tandem with fellow newcomers Julia Grosso, and Lumila might help. Preseason training camp will be the first opportunity for these players to have real time together getting reps.
I’m not about to call 2025 the season of the Red Stars, but ‘tis the season of perpetual hope.
The beginning of true free agency
This is the first offseason under the new NWSLPA CBA free agency rules. For the first time in the NWSL, players have full say in where they can sign. Even though this is the global standard of operation, recent rumblings have called the NWSL’s parity into question. A recent anonymous survey of GMs had respondents questioning if players had too much power.
Power has simply switched hands. Players now have the choice to take their talents wherever they like. It’s up to the owners and team staff to make their clubs attractive to talent. While men’s sports have seen greed take the lead, women’s sports are in a renaissance of investment. Owners are spending millions of dollars on new facilities to attract top talent.
The Red Stars don’t have a shiny training facility, or stadium, at least not yet, but they do have two Ballon d’Or nominees in Alyssa Naeher and Mal Swanson. They present an opportunity for a player like Maitane to go where they are needed. On a crowded roster like Gotham’s, even a player of her caliber can drop down the depth chart. Thanks to free agency, Maitane can take her career into her own hands.
It’s up to the Red Stars now to continue building the world-class organization that fans and players deserve.