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NWSL Chicago Stars FC

Preview: Utah Royals FC vs. Chicago Red Stars

March 16, 2024 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Chicago Stars FC News Release


CHICAGO - The 2024 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) season kicks off Saturday, March 16, and the Chicago Red Stars travel to Sandy, Utah, to face off against Utah Royals FC in the Royals' inaugural match. Both teams have something to prove as the Red Stars look to start the 2024 season on the right foot after finishing at the bottom of the NWSL standings in 2023.

Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. CT

Where to Watch

Broadcast: ION

Storylines

Red Stars Remastered: The Royals aren't the only team in Saturday's matchup getting a fresh start. Chicago enters the 2024 season with new ownership; a new head coach, general manager and president; 13 new players on the final roster; and a new mindset. New faces like Camryn Biegalski, Maximiliane Rall and Sam Staab have already expressed their mission to transform the club on the field, and rookies Jameese Joseph and Leilanni Nesbeth feel ready to take on the challenge.

Even Playing Field: New players aren't the only ones looking forward to this season; seasoned veterans like Tatumn Milazzo, Alyssa Naeher and Mallory Swanson have been vocal about Chicago beginning the season with chips on their shoulders after the team's last place finish in 2023. The Red Stars have much to prove after missing the playoffs since 2014, and nothing is off the table with a little Chicago grit and NWSL magic in the mix. Having the 2023 USWNT leading goal scorer, Mallory Swanson, back on the pitch also doesn't hurt. Maybe starting at the bottom of the table has a silver lining: New Jersey/New York Gotham FC's 2023 season was a worst-to-first Cinderella story. Who says it can't happen again?

Around the World with the Stars: The offseason brought even more international talent to the Windy City, with Chicago now having eight players with experience representing seven countries on the world stage; Julia Bianchi (Brazil), Nádia Gomes (Portugal), Natalia Kuikka (Finland), Alyssa Naeher (United States), rookie Leilanni Nesbeth (Bermuda), Maximiliane Rall (Germany), Syndey Schnieder (Jamaica) and Mallory Swanson (United States) have all earned caps on their respective senior national teams. Naeher, Schneider and Swanson have all made FIFA Women's World Cup appearances, while Bianchi, Naeher and Swanson have all been named to previous Olympic teams for their countries. The eight players together boast 20 tournament champion titles, hold three second-place finishes, one third-place finish, and an Olympic bronze medal in international competitions. Their expertise is sure to be an asset for the Red Stars this season.

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from March 16, 2024


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