Whoa, we're half way there Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Chicago Stars are at the halfway point of a challenging NWSL season
Season recap so far
It has been an incredibly challenging first half of the NWSL season for the Chicago Stars. I don’t think a lot of people at the beginning of the season expected this team to have a record of 1-3-9 and a goal differential of -17 and sitting in 13th place in the table. When you looked at this squad in the pre-season there were expectations that this team would be a playoff contender. Those beliefs are still there but it will be an uphill battle for them to earn a spot in the playoffs this season.
Everyone thought this team would be centered around Mal Swanson, coming off a stellar performance last season and the Olympic gold medal. The team also thought they would have Natalia Kuikka but she unfortunately missed several games due to a knee injury. On the positive side, I don’t believe anyone thought Sam Staab would be available so early in the season after recovering from her Achilles injury last season.
The team has battled through a lot of adversity this season, so far. Numerous players have been in and out of the line up due to injury. Adding in the carousel of coaches to the mix creates a team still trying to find its footing in a league that is full of talent. Having 3 different head coaches in the span of half a season who all have different playing styles and have different expectations for players is incredibly challenging for even the most veteran of players.
The Stars lone win of the season came against Bay FC, in a 2-1 victory. The style of play that got them the win isn’t sustainable in the NWSL though. Playing balls over the top and hoping and praying for your front line to run onto it and score isn’t strategy, it’s luck and timing. This team needs to find it’s identity without Mal Swanson and that identity can’t be forcing Ludmila into Mal’s role. Teams are now just focusing on Ludmila knowing that is where the ball is going every single time. I’d like to see Ava Cook, Ally Schlegel, Shea Groom, Micayla Johnson and Jameese Joseph, when healthy, create more opportunities offensively for the team.
We know what these players are capable of we just need to find the right coach and strategy to unlock the talent. Julia Grosso is fantastic for Canada but sometimes gets lost in the shuffle for Chicago. We have seen glimpses of her brilliance but Chicago’s lack of possession makes it hard for her talent to be utilized properly. With Maitane stabilizing the midfield, players like Grosso, Franklin and Hiyashi can be more creative offensively for the Stars.
New Faces, New Tactics?
I would like to see some changes in the starting line up in the second half of the season. Chicago signed Sam Angel during the midseason break and she played in the Teal Rising Cup games in Kansas City. Chicago also signed, German international, Kathy Hendrich who will be joining the squad now that the Euros are finished. Bolstering the defense wasn’t the expected move from the Stars during this break as they have struggled to score goals and maintain possession but I expect to see Hendrich move into the starting line up once she integrates into the team. It will be interesting to see who that will bump off the backline. Could it be Cari Roccaro who is in the final year of her contract with Chicago? Roccaro brings a veteran presence to the team but the Stars are clearly in a rebuild era and playing your youth as well as longer term players should be the move. The NWSL window for signing players is open until August 25th so more signings could happen. If the Stars were to make more moves I would hope it would be someone to help up top with the loss of Swanson and Joseph has been injured.
With a month off from league play Chicago has had time under interim head coach Ella Masar to work on how they want to play in the second half of the season. This will be Masar’s second stint as interim head coach and you know she wants to prove that she with worthy of a head coaching position in the league. I’m hoping we see more of a focus on offense with Masar at the helm.
The team needs to change tactics from sitting back and absorbing pressure and then trying to get breakaway goals. It’s just not sustainable and if they continue to do this they will be at the bottom of the table at the end of the year. Not only does this strategy not work in the league it’s also not going to help attract players to want to sign with the club. What defender is going to be want to play for a team where they defend for their lives every 90 minutes? On the other side, what offensive player is going to want to defend for nearly the entire game and maybe get 1 or 2 opportunities within 90 minutes knowing you need to capitalize on them for your team? This strategy puts way too much stress on players on both sides of the ball.
Looking towards the second half of the season
Chicago starts the second half of the season against Gotham on August 1st at 7:00 pm on NWSL+. Chicago already played Gotham this year and it ended in a scoreless draw. Chicago is going to need to have another fantastic defensive day to stop players like Esther and Lavelle from scoring. This will be a home game for Chicago, where they have struggled this season. The status of several players who were injured going into the break isn’t known at this time but if they were available it could help bolster the Chicago squad. The loss of Naeher not only as a fantastic keeper but a veteran presence and voice on the pitch has been a massive loss for the team over the last few games. Joseph’s presence at the top of the pitch has also been missed because she helps alleviate some of the pressure off of Ludmila. Hopefully the Stars come out of the break with a rejuvenated energy and urgency to score and earn some points.
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I think one major lineup mistake is not starting Hannah Anderson. She’s played very well, and at 5’11” she’d be another solid presence on PK’s. She led her college team in scoring in PK’s.