CHGO Chicago Stars Podcast

It actually happened! After his surprising departure from the Kansas City Current, former United States Women’s National Team head coach and two-time NWSL Champion Vlatko Andonovski has joined the Chicago Stars as their new Chief Soccer Officer to lead the organization’s soccer staff going forward. How did they pull this off, and what’s top of the to-do list for Vlatko as he looks to clean up a mess of a team. Speaking of which, a 3-2 victory over Racing Louisville at the end of August remains the team’s only win since July 7th, and they followed that up by becoming the first team in league history to concede 6 goals in consecutive matches. But does the rest of the season even matter? CHGO Stars Host, Alex Campbell is joined by Lesley Ryder to welcome the arrival of Chicago’s new women’s soccer overlord. An ALLCITY Network Production Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. #ChicagoStars #Stars

What hasn’t changed for the Chicago Stars: they still can’t win games and even lost to former cellar dwellers Racing Louisville to drop into last place. What has: lots of other things! Martin Sjogren is OUT as head coach along with his top assistant Anders Jacobson. Former head coach Lorne Donaldson is back, not as the coach but as the… director of coaching? Assistant Karina Baez is the new interim head coach, with former Spokane Zephyr FC boss Nicole Lukic brought in as well. How did the Stars end up back in the same place again, and what happens next? Also, despite not having a general manager, the team keeps selling players and signing new ones. Who’s making those decisions and is there any hope for results on the field to improve? Or will the team’s injury struggles make that a moot point? And hey what happened with that plan to build a training facility? Lots of questions, few answers. Such is the existence of the Chicago Stars! Alex is joined by Joe Chatz of On Tap Sports to mark yet another changing of the guard for this beleaguered organization. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Chicago Stars returned to NWSL action earlier this month with a 3-2 win over Utah, creating hope for a much better second half of the season. They then lost 2-0 to both Boston and Angel City and have now also lost big-money signing striker Jordyn Huitema for the remainder of the season due to a ruptured ACL. What now for the struggling Stars? Then, Alex is joined by Andre Carlisle of Diaspora United + Hey Spirits + more to discuss a very competitive race for the Shield involving his Spirit, a free-spending Gotham FC, a run-and-gun San Diego Wave and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Chicago Stars are spiraling after another brutal stretch, suffering their second three-game losing streak of the season while failing to score a single goal. After a 2-0 home win over expansion side Boston Legacy, losses to Gotham, Portland, and Kansas City have exposed major issues with the lineup, tactics, and execution under Martin Sjogren. With just three matches remaining before the World Cup break, can the return of Mallory Swanson — now back in full training — actually save the Stars’ season? On this episode of the CHGO Stars Podcast, host Alex Campbell is joined by Lesley Ryder of GalPal Sports to break down what’s gone wrong, what needs to change, and whether there’s any hope left for Chicago. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Chicago Stars are suddenly in crisis under Martin Sjögren, and the CHGO Stars crew breaks down why the offense has completely disappeared. After an emotional home opener win over the Kansas City Current, Chicago has scored 0 goals and conceded 6 in their last three matches, struggling badly in possession and raising serious questions about their attacking identity. Is improved defensive stability worth it if there’s no scoring threat, and is Sjögren doing enough to find answers? We also take a look around the unpredictable National Women's Soccer League table and discuss what’s standing out early in the season. Plus, the United States Women's National Team face Japan women's national soccer team in a crucial run of matches ahead of World Cup qualifying—what are we learning from Emma Hayes’ squad? Alex is joined by Tara from Scuffed’s Boots on the Ground podcast for expert insight on Chicago, the NWSL, and more.