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Chicago Stars FC vs. Racing Louisville FC: Your Complete Match Preview
Hey soccer fans! Whether you’re a die-hard supporter or just tuning in for the first time, here’s everything you need to know about Saturday’s showdown between the Chicago Stars FC and Racing Louisville FC. We’ll break down the records, the players to watch, the history, and the exciting new face joining the Stars.
Match Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Matchup | Chicago Stars FC vs. Racing Louisville FC |
| Date | Saturday, August 1 |
| Kickoff Time | 3:00 PM CT |
| Location | Lynn Family Stadium (Louisville, Kentucky) |
| TV/Stream | CBS Sports Network |
| Chicago Record | 4 Wins – 12 Losses – 0 Draws (12 Points) |
| Louisville Record | 3 Wins – 11 Losses – 2 Draws (11 Points) |
Quick ELI5: Both teams are near the bottom of the league table right now. This is a "six-pointer" — a crucial game where the winner gains ground and the loser falls further behind.
Where to Watch
You can catch all the action live on CBS Sports Network. If you have a cable login, you can also stream it via the CBS Sports app or website.
How They Got Here (Previous Results)
Chicago Stars FC
- Last Match: Lost 1-0 to the Orlando Pride (July 24).
- Venue: Inter&Co Stadium (Away).
Racing Louisville FC
- Last Match: Lost 5-1 to the Kansas City Current (July 29).
- Venue: Away match (Midweek game).
Why this matters: Louisville had a rough midweek beating. They will be tired and desperate to fix their defense. Chicago has had more rest but couldn’t find a goal against Orlando.
The Coach: Martin Sjögren
Chicago is in a new era under head coach Martin Sjögren (pronounced Mar-tin Shure-grin).
- Background: A Swedish coaching veteran with over a decade of experience in Sweden’s top league and a stint leading the Norwegian Women’s National Team.
- First NWSL Win: He earned his first league victory back on March 22 — a stunning 2-1 upset over the reigning shield winners, Kansas City Current.
- The Duo: Assistant coach Anders Jacobson joined last August as interim coach and helped build the team’s identity before Sjögren arrived. They know each other well!
Team Leaders (After 14 Weeks)
These are the players driving the bus for Chicago. Stats are through Week 14.
The Iron Women (1,000+ Minutes Played)
- Sam Staab (1,433 mins) — The heartbeat of the defense.
- Nádia Gomes (1,066 mins)
- Julia Grosso (1,063 mins)
- Manaka Hayashi (1,048 mins)
Stat Leaders (The "Nerdy" Stuff Made Simple)
| Category | Leader | What it means (ELI5) |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes Started | Sam Staab (All 16 games) | She never comes off the field. Durability queen. |
| Touches / Passes | Sam Staab (1,195 / 906) | She has the ball a lot and keeps it moving. |
| Clearances | Sam Staab (106) | "Get it out of danger!" — She does this best. |
| Blocks / Interceptions | Sam Staab (22 / 21) | Reading the game like a book; stopping attacks before they start. |
| Tackles | Maitane (30) | The best at winning the ball back cleanly. |
| Recoveries | Nádia Gomes (56) | Picking up loose balls; turning defense to offense. |
| Chances Created | Julia Grosso (18) | The creative spark; setting up teammates for shots. |
| Goals | Jordyn Huitema (4) | The finisher. Putting the ball in the net. |
| Assists | Ryan Connaughton (2) | The provider. The final pass before a goal. |
KEY TAKEAWAY: Sam Staab is the MVP of the backline. She leads the team in almost every defensive category and touches/passes. If Chicago keeps a clean sheet, she’s the reason why.
Head-to-Head History
Since Louisville joined the league in 2021, it’s been a tight rivalry:
- Chicago Wins: 3
- Louisville Wins: 5
- Draws: 2
- Last Meeting: 1-1 Draw at Lynn Family Stadium (Oct 10, 2025).
ELI5: Louisville has historically had Chicago’s number, but the last game was a tie. With both teams struggling this year, history goes out the window. Current form matters more.
Milestones & Special Moments (From Last Game vs. Orlando)
- Sam Staab hit 5,000 career minutes in a Chicago jersey! (Signed in 2024).
- Katie Atkinson (Goalkeeper) had a career-high 10 SAVES, including a Penalty Kick stop against legend Marta!
- Elise Evans (Defender) made her professional debut after signing in January 2026.
Fresh Face Alert: Anna Gasper!
This is the biggest storyline entering the weekend.
- Who: German midfielder Anna Gasper.
- From: Benfica (Portugal’s powerhouse club).
- Contract: Signed through 2027 with a mutual option for 2028.
- Debut: AVAILABLE THIS SATURDAY vs. Louisville!
Why is she a big deal? (Her Resume)
- 4 Straight League Titles in Portugal (Campeonato Nacional Feminino).
- UEFA Women’s Champions League Experience: 14 appearances against Europe’s elite.
- Trophy Cabinet: Portuguese Cup (2023–24), League Cup (x2), Super Cup (2023).
- Career Stats: 140+ pro games, 16 goals from midfield.
IMPORTANT CALLOUT: Gasper brings winning pedigree and Champions League composure to a young Chicago midfield. Expect her to slot in immediately and help control the tempo.
More Than Soccer: Lauren Holiday Impact Award
Chicago goalkeeper Katie Atkinson has been named the team’s nominee for the 2026 Lauren Holiday Impact Award (presented by Nationwide).
- What is it? Honors an NWSL player for outstanding community service and character off the field.
- Her Partner: Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago (Nationally ranked #1 in Illinois for pediatric oncology).
- Continuity: Atkinson was Louisville’s nominee in 2024 (partnering with Norton Children’s). She is bringing her passion for pediatric oncology support to her new home city.
Class Act: Saving a PK from Marta on Friday, nominated for a humanitarian award on Saturday. Katie Atkinson is having a week.
Summary: What to Watch For Saturday
- Can Chicago score? They were shut out by Orlando. Huitema & Grosso need to connect.
- The Gasper Debut: How does the German champion fit into Sjögren’s system immediately?
- Louisville’s Response: After a 5-1 drubbing, do they collapse or rally at home?
- Staab vs. Louisville Attack: Can the Iron Woman neutralize Louisville’s forwards for 90 mins?
- Atkinson’s Momentum: Can the GK carry her heroics (PK save, 10 saves) into a clean sheet?
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
1. What time is the game in my time zone?
Kickoff is 3:00 PM Central Time (CT).
- Eastern (ET): 4:00 PM
- Mountain (MT): 2:00 PM
- Pacific (PT): 1:00 PM
2. I don’t have cable. Can I still watch?
Yes! If you subscribe to a live TV streaming service that carries CBS Sports Network (like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, DirecTV Stream), you can stream it there. You can also use the CBS Sports app/website with your provider login.
3. Who is the favorite to win?
Oddsmakers usually slightly favor the home team (Louisville), but honestly? It’s a toss-up. Both teams have poor records. Chicago has rest and a new star (Gasper); Louisville has home field but horrible momentum. Don’t bet the mortgage on either side.
4. Is Anna Gasper definitely starting?
Coach Sjögren hasn’t confirmed the lineup, but the press release says she is "available for her first match." Given her pedigree, she will almost certainly play significant minutes — likely starting or as a high-impact sub.
5. Why are both records so bad? (4-12 and 3-11)
It’s been a transition year for both.
- Chicago: New coach (Sjögren), new system, lots of young players/rookies getting minutes (Evans, Hayashi, Grosso).
- Louisville: Roster turnover, injuries, and inability to close out games (many 1-goal losses).
- The NWSL is parity city — the gap between 1st and last is tiny. A win here sparks a climb.
Enjoy the match!
Go Stars! / Go Racing!
