By Lesley Ryder
Stars FC kick off tonight against Orlando Pride to begin their 2025 season. In 2024 they made the jump from last place to the playoff race, but with a lack of offseason spending on talent, and star striker Mal Swanson away from the team, many preseason rankings put the Stars at or near the bottom of the league.
Here’s three questions for the club ahead of tonight’s season premiere.
About that offseason spending…
Stars GM Richard Feuz stingy offseason spending raised eyebrows for a team that was lacking in depth last season.
“[A big signing] could look flashy at the moment, but when we build something, we need time and to come back on what we discussed last season at the beginning. I think our main focus has been getting consistency.” Feuz said in an interview with Gal Pal Sports.
This is the first time in several years that the Stars have the same Front office, and technical staff in place as the season before, and that off-field consistency is important to establish in a rebuilding team. But consistency alone can’t put the ball in the back of the net.
Feuz has promised transparency in his process as General Manager. If Stars FC struggle in this first half of the season, he’ll have plenty of questions to answer.
Can the Stars connect?
The Stars struggled to find their best on-field combinations last season. Injuries and mid-season additions kept the starting XI in flux.
The young team is another year older. Ally Schlegel told us during preseason that with time, the squad’s chemistry is building. Last season, the Stars placed last in virtually every passing metric according to FBRef. Will the offseason work be enough to move the Stars passing progression forward?
Who takes the lead?
On Wednesday, the Stars reported the Mal Swanson is still away from the team for personal reasons, and would not be available for tonight’s match. Swanson brings undeniable offensive power to the squad, and leadership to the young attacking line.
The good news: Sam Staab has been activated from the season-ending injury list, and can take the reins for the back line when she’s on the pitch. But up front? The attacking line is ready to follow whoever wants to step up.