Snap a 7-game winless streak with a 3-2 win over Louisville
By Lesley Ryder
You read it right. The Chicago Stars won themselves a match at a time when they could really use some good news. Even better? They won against a team that just beat them three weeks ago. There’s plenty of work for the Stars to do, but it was a welcome rebound result after suffering a 5-0 loss just days before.
Micayla Johnson made her first professional start for the Stars, and nearly put the Stars on the board in the 27th minute. Jenna Bike received a pass from Michelle Alozie on the right side of the field, and sent it left to Johnson, all alone in prime position outside of the Louisville box. She dribbled past two defenders as she kept moving left, and sent a shot to her right that rang off the post.
But it wouldn’t be long before Chicago took the lead by some impressive build up play. Leila Ouahabi started the sequence, sending to Michelle Alozie who once again found Jenna Bike connected on the right side. Bike chipped it forward to Mal Swanson, who was given miles of space to dribble downfield. As she slowed her run through the Louisville box, she drew four defenders, before offloading to an open Jameese Joseph, who roofed it over Jordyn Bloomer.
Okay, it’s four passes, but it might be the best four passes this team’s put together this year.
Jameese Joseph’s first goal of the season gave Chicago their first lead into halftime since April 25th in their 2-0 win against Boston Legacy.
But the second half would prove to be a battle of responses. Louisville came out of the break on the front foot, earning a series of set pieces in the Stars end. In the 49th minute, Racing earned a throw-in following a Chicago clearance off a corner kick. Lauren Milliet crossed the throw into the mixer, and Taylor Flint rose above Tessa Dellarose to head in the equalizer.
No chance for the Tar Heel on this one.
But the Stars bounced back, and again the Bike and Alozie connection created another opportunity. Swanson melted past a Louisville defender, and Alozie slotted a pass through. Swanson took the pass on her right foot and she spun quickly to take a bending shot past Bloomer and restore the lead. It was Swanson’s second goal of the season, and her first one at home.
We are so back.
There was a concerning moment for the Stars after that goal, as Mal Swanson took a seat by the sideline, and appeared to be having trouble with her left hip. Her day was done, and she was replaced by Julia Grosso. No updates to offer yet, but I’m not too concerned after seeing this celebration at full time.
But Racing Louisville would not go away. In the 68th minute, Katie Atkinson sent a pass intended for Michelle Alozie, but the defender slipped on the Martin Stadium turf, allowing Louisville’s freshest substitute Makenna Morris to intercept. Morris dished it left to Maja Lardner out wide. She swept a cross headed by Emma Sears, creating a chaotic convergence between Atkinson, Stars defenders, and Louisville’s attackers. Atkinson couldn’t bat the header away from danger, instead putting it at Morris’ feet, who ripped a goal just 22 seconds after coming on to the field.
The Chicago Stars did not shrink after surrendering another equalizer. A long pass from Sam Staab eluded interception by the Louisville backline, allowing Nadia Gomes to pick up the loose ball. She sent a hard low shot, but Bloomer’s kick save sent it wide.
In the 83rd minute, another build up sequence gave the Stars life. Julia Grosso held up play passing back to Tessa Dellarose while the attacking line pushed forward. Grosso sent it to her left to Jameese Joseph, who slipped it to Gomes with space to breathe. Louisville defenders were drawn to Gomes, leaving Grosso alone to receive the last pass, and plenty of time to pick her spot for the go-ahead goal.
Look this game is not a defense masterclass, okay?
Julia Grosso’s first goal of the season would prove to be the winner. After the match, Grosso told reporters “I feel like this team's capable of so much [and] I feel like a lot of people haven't seen that but we within our team know [we can].” Grosso praised the team’s strong performance coming together for the result. “I feel like that's the performance that we're always trying to put on. It was just nice that it clicked today for us.”
To Grosso’s point, this Chicago team isn’t a rag tag group of misfits. Their roster has NCAA champions from top College programs, NWSL Championship trophy raisers, Olympic Gold Medalists from multiple countries, and World Cup winners. A lot’s gotten in the way of the Chicago Stars success this season, be it unsuccessful coaching, or an injury-depleted roster, but Sunday’s match showed what the Stars could do when opportunity falls to their feet.
But I think today we show that we have quality too. We show our running some behind a good game from some players that haven't had good games on the last game. Sorry for saying games like four times, but to have Miss today on that level, pushing more better than last game, and recovering all those players is so important for the team. And I think the energy they put on the field today, the energy how they play and they come back every time, it was good for
When a team is struggling through a losing season, it can be hard to see through the fog of defeat. There’s still plenty of work for this team to do, but it’s okay to feel good about a win.
“We need to celebrate today, but we have to keep our feet on the ground and to stay convinced and aligned on what we want and how we want to work,” said Baez.
Both Julia Grosso, and Jameese Joseph shared a sense of relief after finally making their way to the scoreboard. “Long time coming for me, personally,” said Joseph. “I feel like I've been hitting a lot of posts and stuff, so it's nice to finally get one in the back of the net.”
“It was just nice to feel that excitement,” said Grosso. “And I obviously enjoy when my teammates come running to me. I feel like that's the best part of it all,” she added with a laugh.
The winning performance gave fans a chance to see what these players have known to be true while they’ve worked through their struggles. “People don't really see all the hard work that we put in on the field, regardless of the performances that we have as a team,”said Joseph “So it's hard to see when things aren't going our way because we work so hard as teammates and as players. So it's really nice to finally get that rewarded.”
Fun? facts
- The Stars finally broke double digits in the goal column. Their three goals in yesterday’s match make up 25% of their season total.
- Mal Swanson’s second half goal is her first home goal since July 6, 2024 against the Houston Dash at SeatGeek Stadium.
- Sunday also marked the first time Mal Swanson contributed to multiple goals since June 14, 2024 against the KC Current
- In case you missed it: Micayla Johnson will join the USYNT at the U-20 World Cup in September.
Up Next
The Stars will travel to Denver to play their first match of the season against the Summit, in the battle of the temporary stadium structures. They’ll kick off at 7:45PM CT on ION.
[Photo: Emily Anderson]