Chicago's soccer identity just shifted. For years, if you talked about women’s professional soccer in Illinois, you were talking about the Red Stars. That’s changed. Well, sort of. The name has changed, the branding has been overhauled, and the energy around the Chicago Stars Football Club is fundamentally different than what we saw during the turbulent years of the early 2020s. It’s not just a new coat of paint on an old house. It is a massive bet that the third-largest market in the U.S. can finally support a NWSL powerhouse that matches the city's championship pedigree.
Honestly, the transition to the Chicago Stars Football Club—officially dropping "Red" from the name in late 2024 to take effect for the 2025 season—was a move many fans saw coming. It was a clean break. The previous era was marred by systemic issues and leadership failures that honestly left a bad taste in the mouths of the local faithful. Now, under the ownership of Laura Ricketts and her high-powered investment group, the club is trying to prove that Chicago can be a "soccer city" in the same way it’s a "Bulls city" or a "Cubs city."
Why the Chicago Stars Football Club Rebrand Actually Happened
Rebranding a sports team is risky. It’s expensive. You risk alienating the die-hards who have "Red Stars" tattooed on their arms. But the front office knew the baggage was too heavy. When Laura Ricketts—who also co-owns the Chicago Cubs—led the purchase of the team for roughly $60 million in 2023, the mission wasn't just to win games. It was to build a culture that didn't feel like an afterthought.
The "Stars" name isn't just a generic pull from the sky. It’s a direct nod to the iconic four six-pointed stars on the Chicago municipal flag. Each of those stars represents a major event in the city’s history: Fort Dearborn, the Great Chicago Fire, the World’s Columbian Exposition, and the Century of Progress Exposition. By leaning into the "Stars" moniker, the club is effectively saying, "We belong to this city’s history." They want to move away from the suburban feel of Bridgeview and plant roots deep in the neighborhood soil.
The timing was perfect. 2024 was a massive year for the NWSL. Ratings were up. Attendance was shattering records across the league. But Chicago was lagging. While teams like Angel City FC and San Diego Wave were selling out massive stadiums and creating a "cool" factor, Chicago felt a bit stagnant. The rebrand to the Chicago Stars Football Club was the signal flare that the sleeping giant was finally waking up.
The Roster: Building Around Mallory Swanson
You can't talk about this team without talking about Mal Swanson. She is the engine. She is the face of the franchise. And she is arguably the most dangerous player in the world when she’s healthy.
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Watching Swanson play at Soldier Field is a different experience than watching almost anyone else in the league. Her pace is terrifying for defenders. But more than that, it’s her decision-making in the final third. During the 2024 season and leading into the 2025 campaign, the strategy became clear: find players who can keep up with her. The Chicago Stars Football Club isn't just looking for stars; they are looking for a supporting cast that can handle the transition-heavy style of play that Swanson thrives in.
- Ludmila: The Brazilian international was a massive mid-2024 signing. Bringing her in from Atlético Madrid showed that Chicago was finally willing to spend like a big-market team.
- Alyssa Naeher: The GOAT in goal. Having a legendary USWNT keeper provides a level of stability that most teams dream of. Even as she enters the later stages of her career, her presence in the locker room is irreplaceable.
- The Youth Movement: Keep an eye on the draft picks. Chicago has been aggressive in moving pieces to ensure they have a pipeline of talent that isn't just "one and done."
The shift to the "Stars" identity also coincided with a push for more tactical flexibility. We’ve seen them move away from a rigid defensive shell into a more aggressive, high-pressing unit. It’s fun to watch. It’s the kind of soccer that actually draws casual fans out to the lakefront on a Saturday night.
The Soldier Field Factor
Where a team plays is just as important as how they play. For years, the trek out to SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview was a major hurdle for fans living in the city. It’s a great soccer-specific stadium, sure, but it’s not Chicago.
The Chicago Stars Football Club has made it clear that Soldier Field is the goal. Playing on the lakefront, with the skyline as a backdrop, changes the vibe. It feels professional. It feels "big time." However, Soldier Field comes with its own set of headaches. The grass is notoriously difficult to maintain, especially when the Bears are in season. There are also scheduling conflicts with concerts and other events.
But for the fans? The trade-off is worth it. Taking the ‘L’ or biking down the lakefront path to see the Stars play is a vastly superior experience to sitting in traffic on I-55. The club is betting that increased accessibility will lead to the kind of 20,000+ attendance numbers that have become the standard in places like Portland and San Diego.
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Business Growth and the Ricketts Influence
Money matters. In the early days of the NWSL, teams were run on shoestring budgets. Those days are gone. The entry of the Ricketts family brought a level of professionalization that the club desperately needed. We’re talking about improved training facilities, better travel accommodations, and a marketing budget that actually exists.
The sponsorship deals have followed. Local Chicago brands are starting to align themselves with the Stars. It’s a "safe" and exciting investment now. The club’s valuation has skyrocketed, mirroring the league’s overall growth. When the NWSL signed its landmark $240 million domestic media rights deal, Chicago was positioned as one of the "anchor" markets. The rebrand was a way to ensure they were "TV-ready."
What Critics Get Wrong
A lot of people think the rebrand was just a way to hide from the past. That's a bit cynical. While the "Red Stars" name was associated with the Rory Dames era and the subsequent investigations, the move to "Chicago Stars FC" was also about modernization. The "Red Stars" logo—while iconic to some—felt a bit dated compared to the sleek, minimalist designs of the newer NWSL expansion teams.
Also, some critics argued that the "Stars" name is too generic. "Every team is the stars," they say. But in Chicago, the star is a specific cultural symbol. It’s on the police cars, the parks, and the flags flying from three-flats in Logan Square. It’s local. If you’re from here, you get it.
Looking Ahead: The 2025 Season and Beyond
As the Chicago Stars Football Club enters this new chapter, the pressure is on. You can’t change the name and the logo and then finish at the bottom of the table. The fans expect results. With the NWSL expanding and the level of play rising every single year, there are no easy games.
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The "Stars" need to define what their brand of soccer actually is. Are they a blue-collar, defensive-minded team? Or are they the high-flying, offensive juggernaut that Mallory Swanson’s presence suggests they should be?
The focus for the front office over the next 18 months is clear:
- Solidify the Stadium Situation: Make Soldier Field the permanent, unmistakable home of the club.
- Deepen the Academy Pipeline: Ensure that the best young talent in the Midwest wants to play for the Stars.
- Fan Engagement: Continue the "city-first" marketing that moves away from the "soccer mom" demographic and toward the younger, urban professional crowd that has fueled the growth of soccer globally.
How to Get Involved as a Fan
If you're looking to jump on the bandwagon, now is the time. The club is in a "re-founding" phase. You can go to a match at Soldier Field and feel like you’re part of something that is actually growing.
Check the schedule for "Theme Nights." The club has been doing a much better job of integrating local food vendors and musicians into the matchday experience. It’s not just a 90-minute game anymore; it’s an event.
Join a supporters' group. The "Local 134" and other fan organizations are the heartbeat of the stadium. They bring the drums, the smoke, and the chants. If you want the full experience, that’s where you need to be.
The Chicago Stars Football Club is more than a name change. It’s a challenge to the city to show up for women’s sports in a way it never has before. The pieces are all there: the star power, the investment, and the venue. Now, it’s just about winning.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Download the Official App: This is the best way to get real-time roster updates and exclusive behind-the-scenes content that you won't find on Twitter (X).
- Follow the "Stars in the Community" Program: The club is doing a lot of work with local youth leagues in neighborhoods like Pilsen and Humboldt Park. It's a great way to see the players off the pitch.
- Invest in the New Kit: The 2025 jerseys are a complete departure from the old designs. They feature subtle nods to Chicago architecture and, of course, those iconic stars.
- Plan Your Transport: If you're heading to Soldier Field, use the Metra or the CTA Green/Orange lines. Parking at the museum campus is a nightmare and incredibly expensive.
- Watch the NWSL on Ion and Amazon Prime: If you can't make it to the stadium, the broadcast quality has improved immensely. You can actually see the tactical shifts the Stars are making in real-time.