Nicole: If you think the Chicago Stars are done talking, you haven’t been paying attention. We just confirmed a massive $700,000 transfer for Racheal Kundananji from Bay FC, and suddenly, that 5-2-20 record feels like a different chapter entirely. But here is the real question: who is actually staying on this roster to make it work? Today, we are breaking down the position battles that will define Vlatko Andonovski’s first full season at the helm.
Kevin: It’s a tactical overhaul in progress. Andonovski has been clear about what he wants, and with the 16th-place standing hanging over us, the margin for error is non-existent. We’re looking at depth charts, injury lists, and the immediate competition for every starting spot.
Nicole: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Nicole, and alongside me as always is our lead analyst, Kevin. Kevin, thanks for being here. This is episode four of our daily breakdowns, and today we are diving deep into the roster battles. Ava, if you’re listening, lay out the three things we’re tackling today.
Kevin: Right. So, first up, we’re going to look at the most critical position battle right now: the forward line with Kundananji in town. Then, we’ll tackle two more depth-chart questions involving midfield control and defensive stability. Finally, we’ll give you our final roster-cut predictions—who is trending up, who is trending down, and who is likely packing their bags before the season ends.
Nicole: Let’s get right into it. We talked yesterday about how Andonovski is cleaning house, and specifically mentioned Maitane might be released. Well, the landscape just shifted. With Kundananji arriving, the pressure is off the bench and squarely on the starters. Let’s start with Segment One: the most important position battle right now.
Kevin: Okay, so let’s talk about the forward line. You have Racheal Kundananji coming in for $700,000 in intraleague transfer funds. That is a significant investment for a team sitting at 16th in the NWSL. Historically, Kundananji is a finisher. She thrives in transition, finding space behind high defensive lines. But the question is: where does she play relative to the existing attackers?
Nicole: And that’s the rub. In the last game against Angel City FC on March 15th, they got shut out 4-0. Maitane was the team leader in shots with two, but there were no goals. No assists. It was a sterile attack. If Kundananji is coming in to provide that lethal edge, does she push someone else to the wing or even the bench?
Kevin: Exactly. Look at the stats from that Angel City game. Maitane had two total shots. Julia Grosso had 31 accurate passes. Grosso is clearly the engine, the playmaker, the one keeping possession together when everything else falls apart. But Grosso isn’t a striker. She’s a midfielder. So, if Kundananji is the primary focal point, we need to see if the build-up play can actually get her the ball in dangerous areas.
Nicole: Right. And remember, Michelle Alozie is also on this roster. She just fired Nigeria past Comoros in the CAF qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. She scored in that match. So we have Kundananji, Alozie, and whoever else is left after the cleanup. It’s crowded at the top. Who wins the starting nod?
Kevin: I think Kundananji starts. Why? Because Andonovski needs a proven goal scorer immediately. The defense is still vulnerable—we saw that against Gotham and Angel City. You can’t afford to experiment with unproven combinations in attack when you’re trying to climb out of the basement. Kundananji offers verticality. Alozie offers width and experience, but Kundananji offers pure finishing instinct.
Nicole: So, if Kundananji starts, who goes? Is it Maitane? Remember, we predicted yesterday that Maitane would be released as part of Andonovski’s cleanup. Does this signing seal her fate?
Kevin: It makes it highly likely. Maitane hasn’t shown the same level of end-product. Two shots in the last game isn’t exactly alarming, but it’s not promising either. When you bring in a specialist like Kundananji, you are signaling that you want efficiency. Maitane’s game seems more about movement than finishing. If Andonovski wants results, he cuts the redundancy.
Nicole: That feels like a bold call, Kevin. But given the 5-2-20 record, bold is what’s needed. Okay, so Kundananji vs. the rest of the forwards is settled in my mind. Now, let’s move to Segment Two. We’ve got two more battles to discuss. First up: midfield control.
Kevin: Wait, before we go—did you hear about the headlines? Chicago and Portland have joined the race to host 2031 Women's World Cup games. That’s huge for the city’s infrastructure, sure, but it doesn’t help the current squad win matches this weekend. Focus on the pitch.
Nicole: Right, keep it on the pitch. Midfield control. Julia Grosso had 31 accurate passes against Angel City. That’s good discipline, but did it translate to chances created? Not really. They were pinned back. How does Kundananji’s arrival change the midfield dynamic?
Kevin: It forces the midfield to play a higher press. If you have a striker like Kundananji running in behind, your midfielders can’t sit deep. They have to support the transition quickly. Grosso is capable of that—she’s technically excellent—but the other midfielders need to step up. If they don’t, Kundananji gets isolated.
Nicole: Isolated. That’s the fear. Against San Diego, who is now number one in the power rankings, an isolated striker is a death sentence. San Diego clinched their playoff spot by topping those rankings. They’re playing at a level Chicago isn’t yet. Can Grosso carry the load alone?
Kevin: No. That’s why depth matters. And that brings us to our second battle in this segment: the defensive line. Alyssa Naeher made two saves against Angel City. Angelina Anderson made two for Angel City. It’s a low number because the team didn’t face many shots, but the underlying metrics suggest Chicago was under sustained pressure.
Nicole: Two saves isn’t bad, but it’s not impressive either. It means the defense held them off mostly. But against a team like San Diego, or even Denver Summit FC, who are rising fast, Naeher won’t have that luxury. The defensive line needs to be organized. Are there battles for spots in the backline too?
Kevin: Absolutely. The brief mentions Zambia players missing several NWSL games due to Ebola travel restrictions and a 21-day quarantine following a match in Uganda. While that affects international duty, it highlights the fragility of relying on overseas talent. If key defenders are pulled away or injured, who steps in? That’s the hidden battle.
Nicole: A fragile defense. Okay. We’ve covered the forward line and the midfield/defense dynamics. Before we jump into Segment Three, where we predict the final cuts, I want to take a quick breath. Hey fans, if these daily breakdowns are part of your morning routine or commute, a small tip is what keeps us free and daily. Please check the link in the episode description to support the show. Thanks for helping us keep the coverage going!
Kevin: Appreciate that, Nicole. Let’s get back to the hard stuff. Segment Three: Roster-cut predictions. We’ve been talking about Maitane all episode. What’s the verdict? Is she gone?
Nicole: I’m sticking with our prediction from yesterday. Maitane is trending down. With Kundananji taking the striker role, and Andonovski looking for a clean slate, Maitane doesn’t fit the new tactical identity. She’s likely out.
Kevin: Agreed. Now, who else? Let’s look at the goalkeeper situation. Alyssa Naeher is retained. We said that yesterday, and I stand by it. She’s experienced, she’s reliable, and she knows the system better than any backup. She’s safe.
Nicole: Naeher is safe. What about Julia Grosso? She had 31 accurate passes. She’s the heartbeat. Do we cut anyone around her?
Kevin: Grosso is safe. In fact, she’s trending up. Andonovski needs a creator. He can’t build his entire attack on Kundananji’s finishing; he needs Grosso to supply the balls. She’s retaining her spot firmly.
Nicole: Okay, so Maitane is out. Naeher and Grosso are in. Who’s the wildcard? What about Michelle Alozie? She’s scoring for Nigeria. She’s proven at this level. Is she safe?
Kevin: Alozie is safe, but she might not start. She’s versatile. She can play wide or central. Andonovski might use her as a super-sub to change games, especially if Kundananji gets tired. She’s valuable, but not irreplaceable in the starting XI.
Nicole: Super-sub. Interesting. So, who else is on the chopping block? Maybe a defender who hasn’t impressed? The brief doesn’t list specific defensive stats beyond Naeher’s saves, but we know the team conceded four against Angel City.
Kevin: Likely. A center-back or fullback who struggled with pace. Given the 5-2-20 record, the defense is porous. Andonovski will look to sign or promote someone who can handle the speed of the NWSL. If there’s a veteran struggling to adapt, they’re next.
Nicole: So, our final predictions: Maitane is released. Kundananji starts. Grosso and Naeher stay. Alozie is rotated. Does that sound like a plan to you, Kevin?
Kevin: It sounds like a survival plan. It’s not a championship plan, but it’s a step up from where we were. Zero to two additional wins, remember? That’s still our outlook for the season finish.
Nicole: Zero to two additional wins. That’s the reality. But with Kundananji in the mix, maybe we squeeze out a few more points. Thanks for joining us on the Beatline Podcast Network. If you enjoyed this roster battle breakdown, please subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you listen. Share it with a fellow Stars fan!
Kevin: Stay tuned for tomorrow’s episode, where we’ll dive deeper into the upcoming fixtures and see if Chicago can upset the odds against Denver Summit FC. Until then, keep your eyes on the pitch.
Nicole: Go Stars! We’ll see you tomorrow.