Nicole: That is a brutal way to start the season. Zero goals. Four conceded. Against Angel City. But if you think that’s the whole story, you haven’t been paying attention to what’s happening behind the scenes in Chicago.
Kevin: It’s easy to look at a 5-2-20 record and shake your head. But we’re here to dig into the real shift. Vlatko Andonovski is taking the wheel, Racheal Kundananji just arrived, and Maitane might be gone.
Nicole: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Nicole, and this is your daily stop for everything NWSL. Joining me as always is our lead analyst, Kevin. Kevin, good morning.
Kevin: Good morning, Nicole. It’s October 10th, and the mailbag is open. We’ve got some serious questions coming in about the rebuild.
Nicole: Today we are doing a full mailbag edition. First up: What does the new regime actually mean for the roster? Second: Is Racheal Kundananji the missing piece? And third: Where does Julia Grosso fit in this new tactical picture?
Kevin: Exactly. And remember, we predicted last week that the Stars would finish with zero to two additional wins. Let’s see if the fans agree with that grim outlook or if they see hope.
Nicole: Let’s jump right in. First question comes from Sarah from Indianapolis. She asks: 'With Vlatko Andonovski now named chief soccer officer, how much power does he really have over the roster moves compared to the previous front office?'
Kevin: This is the big one. Sarah, welcome. Look, when Andonovski was hired, it wasn’t just a branding exercise. He’s the former USWNT coach. He has direct control. The signing of Racheal Kundananji proves it. That wasn’t a committee decision; that was Andonovski identifying a need and executing it.
Nicole: Right. And let’s talk about that move. Bay FC transferred Kundananji to Chicago for $700,000 in intraleague transfer funds. That is a massive investment for a team sitting 16th in the standings.
Kevin: It’s significant because it shows urgency. They didn’t wait until the offseason. They spent capital immediately. For a team that lost 4-0 to Angel City, where Maiara Niehues had five shots and Gisele Thompson completed 43 passes, you need firepower. Kundananji brings that physicality and finishing ability.
Nicole: But here’s the thing, Kevin. A striker doesn’t fix a defense that allowed four goals against Angel City. Alyssa Naeher made only two saves in that game. That means the defensive line was bypassed before she even saw the ball.
Kevin: Agreed. And that leads to our next question, this one from @ChiSoxFan88. He asks: 'You guys mentioned releasing Maitane last week. Has there been any official confirmation, or is that still just speculation based on Andonovski’s tactics?'
Nicole: Oh, I love this one. Because we said it three days in a row. Maitane gets released.
Kevin: We stick by it. Maitane had two total shots against Angel City. In a system that values width and build-up play, she hasn’t shown the versatility Andonovski needs. If the roster cleanup is real, her minutes are gone. We predict zero to two more wins, and keeping Maitane makes those wins harder to get.
Nicole: Fair point. But let’s pivot to the bright spot. Marcus in Denver asks: 'How will Racheal Kundananji mesh with Julia Grosso? Can they coexist in midfield and attack simultaneously?'
Kevin: This is the tactical goldmine. Grosso completed 31 accurate passes against Angel City. She’s the engine. She controls the tempo. Kundananji is the finisher. If Andonovski sets up a compact midfield, Grosso can distribute wide, and Kundananji stays central to punish transitions.
Nicole: So, Grosso is the metronome, Kundananji is the hammer. That sounds like a plan. But what about the rest of the squad? Emma from St. Louis chimes in: 'What about the defense? Who are we trusting after that 4-0 loss?'
Kevin: Emma, tough question. The brief doesn’t list specific defenders’ stats from that game, but we know Angel City dominated possession. Andonovski is known for high presses. If the press isn’t synchronized, you concede chances like that. We’ll have to wait for the training camp reports to see who starts.
Nicole: And don’t forget, San Diego clinched their playoff spot and leapfrogged Gotham to No. 1 in the Power Rankings. Meanwhile, Chicago is stuck at 16th. The gap is widening.
Kevin: It is. Denver is also surging. The league is moving fast. Chicago is trying to catch up with a new coach and a new striker. It’s an uphill battle for the final few games.
Nicole: Alright, we’re going to take a quick break, but when we come back, we’re diving deeper into the depth chart. Will Grosso stay? Will Naeher keep her starting job? Stay tuned.
Nicole: We’re back. Segment Two: Roster Battles. First question from @GothamGlory. She asks: 'Julia Grosso is clearly the best passer on the team. Is there any chance she gets traded mid-season for assets?'
Kevin: No. Absolutely not. You don’t trade your best player to a rival like Gotham or San Diego. Grosso is foundational. Her 31 accurate passes against Angel City show she can handle pressure. Andonovski needs her stability.
Nicole: Spot on. Next up, David from Columbus asks: 'Alyssa Naeher is a legend. But she only made two saves against Angel City. Does that mean the defense is failing her, or is she losing form?'
Kevin: David, it’s both. Naeher is elite, but when you concede four goals, sometimes the quality of chances matters. However, two saves is low. It suggests the defensive line was exposed early. But Andonovski won’t bench Naeher overnight. She’s a leader. He’ll work around her experience while fixing the structure.
Nicole: So, Naeher stays, Grosso stays, but Maitane goes? That’s a bold prediction, Kevin.
Kevin: It’s not just bold, it’s logical. If Andonovski wants to implement a high press, he needs players who fit his system. Maitane hasn’t shown that fit. And with Kundananji arriving, the forward spots are crowded. Someone has to go.
Nicole: Let’s bring in another voice. Rachel in Phoenix asks: 'If Chicago signs Kundananji, does that mean they are giving up on the current season and building for next year?'
Kevin: Rachel, that’s the key insight. With a 5-2-20 record, playoff hopes are slim. This is a transitional signing. They are investing in the future while trying to salvage dignity for the remaining games. It’s a smart long-term play.
Nicole: Smart, but painful for the fans right now. Speaking of pain, Tyler from Kansas City asks: 'How bad is the goal drought? Is it just Kundananji’s arrival that will help, or do we need more changes?'
Kevin: Tyler, it’s systemic. When you lose 4-0 to Angel City, and their keeper Angelina Anderson only makes two saves, it means you weren’t creating high-quality chances. Kundananji improves that, but you also need midfield support. Grosso helps, but you need width.
Nicole: Width is key. Andonovski loves width. If they don’t add wingers, Kundananji will be isolated. That’s a risk.
Kevin: That’s a valid concern. We’ll have to watch the pre-season training closely. But for now, the Kundananji signing is the biggest news since Andonovski’s hiring.
Nicole: Before we go to the final segment, let’s address the elephant in the room. The Stars are 16th. San Diego is first. Denver is rising. How do you close that gap?
Kevin: You win the games you should win. And you stop losing 4-0. One step at a time.
Nicole: Okay, Kevin, we’re going to wrap this up soon. But first, a quick word from our listeners. If you’re enjoying these daily breakdowns during your commute, consider supporting us. Your tips keep the show free and daily. Check the link in the episode description.
Kevin: Yeah, we appreciate every single one of you listening. It helps us keep digging deep into the stats so you don’t have to.
Nicole: Alright, let’s head to the final segment. It’s time for the hypotheticals and lightning round.
Nicole: Segment Three: Fun Hypotheticals. First up, Brian from Milwaukee asks: 'If Andonovski could pick any player in the NWSL to join Chicago tomorrow, who would it be?'
Kevin: Brian, great question. Given the defensive struggles, I’d want a center-back who can clear lines under pressure. Maybe someone from San Diego’s dominant backline. Or a creative midfielder from Gotham to match Grosso’s energy.
Nicole: I’d go with a pure winger. Someone who can stretch the field. Angel City’s defense was solid, but they left space on the flanks. We need to exploit that.
Kevin: Agreed. Width is the missing ingredient. Now, for the lightning round. Quick takes. Are the Stars better off without Maitane?
Nicole: Yes. She’s been inconsistent. Andonovski wants clarity.
Kevin: Is Kundananji worth the $700k?
Nicole: Absolutely. She’s a proven scorer.
Kevin: Will Grosso stay until the end of the season?
Nicole: 100%. She’s the heart of the team.
Kevin: Can Chicago make the playoffs?
Nicole: Not likely. 16th place is a tough hole to dig out of.
Kevin: Final question from @StarStruck99. 'What is the one thing Andonovski must fix in training?'
Nicole: Defensive organization. The press must be synchronized. No gaps.
Kevin: Exactly. Communication between the lines. That’s the foundation.
Nicole: Well, there you have it. From Kundananji’s arrival to the potential exit of Maitane, the Chicago Stars are in a major transition phase under Vlatko Andonovski.
Kevin: It’s a rebuild in real-time. And if you’re listening to this during your morning coffee or commute, please consider supporting us. Your small contributions keep the show free and allow us to keep bringing you these deep dives every single day. Just click the link in the episode description.
Nicole: Thank you so much for tuning in. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you listen. Share it with a fellow Stars fan!
Kevin: We’ll be back tomorrow with more analysis. Keep cheering loud.
Nicole: Go Stars! See you next time on the Beatline Podcast Network.