By Lesley Ryder
The Chicago Stars will finally have the opportunity to add their newest signing to their game day roster. Ivonne Chacón joined the club from Levante in August after the Stars reportedly paid close to €500,000 for her release clause. Chacón joins the team as they fight for their postseason lives against the newly-crowned Shield winners, the Kansas City Current.
Chicago’s newest player wants to make an immediate impact with her new club. “I hope to play this upcoming match and help the team by scoring or with whatever I can do.” Chacón told the media in Chicago’s pre-match presser. “My game is fast and strong and I think the NWSL is very fast, so I think my game adapts well to the league and I hope to contribute speed and goals and help the team as best I can.”
Chacón comes to the stars after scoring 11 goals in 30 games last season for Levante in Liga F. The Stars will be hoping she can be another scoring threat as they try to stave off elimination from this year’s playoff race.
Interim head coach Anders Jacobson believes Chacón fits right in with her Chicago teammates. “I think she’s been adapting quite fast. This is one of the main reasons why she is here because the quality she is having fits well with the team. So far, I have so many good things to say about the quality she’s bringing to the team.”
The Colombian international is not afraid to take on the Shield winners. “It’ll be a big challenge, but the league here is very competitive and the last place team can beat the first place team. We’ve had a good week and coach has been guiding us on what we need to do and we are very excited for the match.”
On the brink of playoff elimination
The Stars go into tonight’s match in Kansas City with their playoff fate on the line. A win or a draw keeps them alive, and a loss will bury their postseason hopes. It’s a tall order for the Stars as the Current haven’t lost a match at home since July 6, 2024,
Fortunately for Chicago, the KC Current will be taking the opportunity to rest and rotate players after their historically fast shield win last weekend.
“We're gonna have to make some changes so we can refresh the team, but also give opportunities to players that haven't had a chance to play much.” KC head coach Vlatko Andonovski told reporters.
The Stars would be wise not to mistake the change in personnel for a change in effort. “When we step on the on the field, we're going to try to put the best team on the field that will fit with will fit with the system, and give us the best chance to be successful, but also fit with the plan that we have going in the playoffs.”
While Chicago may be in last place on the table, you won’t catch Andonovski underrating his opponent. “I think it’s going to be an exciting game. They’ve shown they can compete with the best of the league, and we’ve shown we’re dangerous at home. It’s gonna be a good one for everyone to enjoy.”
The Stars kick off tonight at 7PM CT on Amazon Prime.
Notes from the field
- Chicago Stars availability report:
- SEI/ML: Shea Groom, Mal Swanson
- OUT: Jenna Bike (lower leg), Natalia Kuikka (thigh), Cari Roccaro (excused)
- KC Current availability report
- SEI/ML: Alana Cook, Vanessa Dibernardo, Clare Gagne
- OUT: Kristen Hamilton (hip), Hallie Mace (lower leg), Kayla Sharples (lower leg).