Stars lose 6-1 on the road
By Lesley Ryder
There’s no nice way to put it. Chicago Stars got their asses kicked by San Diego Wave. Prior to this season, the Stars had only conceded six goals in a match once in their entire franchise history. This season it’s happened twice. Despite the change in the ownership suite and organizational infrastructure, the stars are exactly where they were when Laura Ricketts’ ownership group took control: last place, with the worst goal differential in the league.
Chicago looked lost from the first whistle. San Diego had them well and truly trapped in their own defensive third for most of the game. Pro Soccer Wire’s Jason Anderson put it best. This Chicago team was just not prepared for this match.
The halftime break didn’t do much to invigorate the lifeless Stars. It was all too easy for San Diego to continue the offensive barrage. Attackers sauntered into the box unmarked, and unchallenged. If the Stars managed to gain possession, it was short-lived, and easily surrendered.
The data visualization of Chicago’s passing map, and heat map. Images created by Catalina Bush.
In the 71st minute, Ally Schlegel and Bea Franklin gave the Stars something to celebrate. Schlegel took possession and slotted a no-look pass to Franklin, who scored her 3rd goal of the season.
A team up against this kind of fight might typically look inward, dig deep, and remember who they are. The thing is, after 4 different head coaches on the season, who are they supposed to be?
GM Richard Feuz’s rebuild project is entering its third year. When he took office, he wanted to create a strong foundation for the club’s future. In his recruiting, he wanted to bring in people who believed in the project: good people, making good football. He’ll begin his third season with his fifth head coach in the span of a year.
Feuz took pride in the team’s ability to improve on their abysmal goal differential last season, but after conceding 4 goals in the first half on Saturday, the Stars matched their league-worst 50 goals against in 2023. It would appear that Feuz’s conservative approach to last offseason hasn’t gone to plan. Their lack of depth has haunted them all season. Their young signings have spent the season on the bench instead of getting developmental minutes.
For those who’ve been watching the Stars in the past few seasons, it’s clear that changes need to be made if the organization is serious about their on-field product. If the Stars are to improve, they’ll need to recruit experienced players. In a league where teams can boast top-of-the-line facilities, and on-field success, what do the Stars have to offer?