Nicole: You wanted answers? We’ve got them. But first, let’s talk about the elephant in the room—or rather, the striker who just walked through the door.
Kevin: That’s right. Racheal Kundananji is in Chicago. And with a record of 5-2-21 and sitting 16th in the NWSL, fans are desperate to know if she can turn this ship around before the season ends—or if she’s here for the rebuild.
Nicole: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Nicole, and this is your daily dose of soccer truth. Joining me as always is our lead analyst, Kevin.
Kevin: Hey everyone. It’s good to be back. Today we’re doing a full mailbag session. We’re looking at the roster, the standings, and that massive $700,000 transfer move from Bay FC.
Nicole: Here’s what we’re tackling: First, does Kundananji fix the attack? Second, is Maitane really gone? And third, how does a team in 16th place fit into the 2031 World Cup bid conversation? Let’s dive in.
Kevin: We’ve got questions from all over the league. Some are tactical, some are emotional, and one asks if we should even care about the regular season anymore. Let’s get to it.
Nicole: Starting with Segment One: The Biggest Current Topics. Sarah from Rochester starts us off with a big one. She writes, 'With the Stars sitting at 5-2-21 and 16th in the NWSL, is Racheal Kundananji’s signing actually going to change anything this late in the season, or is it purely for next year?' Great question, Sarah.
Kevin: It’s the million-dollar question. And honestly, Sarah, it’s complicated. You have to look at the context. Vlatko Andonovski just hired as chief soccer officer, and this was the first major move. He spent $700,000 in intraleague transfer funds to bring her in from Bay FC. That’s not a small gesture.
Nicole: Right, but tactically, does she slot in immediately? We saw the last game against Angel City FC on March 15th. It was a 4-0 loss. The offense looked stagnant. Maitane only had two shots. Julia Grosso had 31 accurate passes, which is good distribution, but no end product.
Kevin: Exactly. The xG wasn’t there because there were no chances created. Kundananji brings physicality and aerial threat, which is something this squad has lacked. But integrating her into Andonovski’s system takes time. The defense was porous against Angel City—Maiara Niehues had five total shots for ACFC, and Gisele Thompson completed 43 passes. Our build-up play broke down repeatedly.
Nicole: So, is it purely for next year? Or is there hope for a spark now? Marcus in Denver jumps in: 'Should we be worried about the USWNT big board implications? With the 2027 World Cup eight months away, does losing players like Michelle Alozie to international duty hurt our chances?'
Kevin: That’s a sharp point, Marcus. Michelle Alozie fired Nigeria past Comoros 2-0 in the CAF qualifiers for the 2028 Olympics. She’s playing at a high level. But for the Stars, her absence hurts. We saw that vulnerability. Alyssa Naeher had to make two saves, but the pressure was constant. If key national team players are away, the depth chart gets tested.
Nicole: And let’s not forget the other issue. Zambia players are missing several NWSL games due to Ebola travel restrictions. That affects roster availability too. So when you combine international call-ups with quarantine issues, the roster isn’t at 100% strength.
Kevin: Correct. Andonovski has to manage those absences. The signing of Kundananji helps fill that void, but she’s not a magic wand. The team needs to tighten up the defensive line. Against Angel City, they didn’t press effectively. The transitions went the wrong way too often.
Nicole: Okay, so Kundananji is a long-term asset, but the immediate pain remains. Let’s pivot to Segment Two: Roster and Depth-Chart Battles. This is where things get spicy. @RaidersRick asks, 'Is Maitane definitely getting released? You guys predicted it three days ago. Is Andonovski cleaning house?'
Kevin: @RaidersRick, you know us well. Yes, we predicted Maitane would be released. And given the performance metrics, it makes sense. In the last game, she only managed two shots. In a 4-0 defeat, individual performances matter. Andonovski is focused on efficiency. If Maitane isn’t providing the required output, she’s expendable.
Nicole: But wait, hold on. What about Julia Grosso? She had 31 accurate passes. That’s control. That’s retention. Why keep Grosso but potentially cut Maitane? Does Grosso offer more value in the midfield structure?
Kevin: Absolutely. Grosso provides stability in the build-up. Maitane is more of an attacking threat, but without service, she’s ineffective. Grosso connects the defense to the attack. In a team struggling to score, you need that link. Plus, Grosso is a USWNT regular. Her presence elevates the squad’s technical level.
Nicole: So it’s about role clarity. Grosso fits the system; Maitane might not. But what about the new signing? Where does Kundananji fit if Maitane leaves? Does she start upfront immediately?
Kevin: Likely yes. She’s a proven scorer. Nigeria beat Comoros 2-0 with her scoring. She knows how to finish. Andonovski wants goals. If Maitane is out, Kundananji steps in. It’s a direct replacement strategy. High risk, high reward.
Nicole: Interesting. So we’re looking at a potential lineup shift. Let’s move to Segment Three: Fun Hypotheticals and Lightning Round. Emily in Seattle asks, 'If the Stars could host any team in a final match right now, who would it be? And why?'
Kevin: Oof. That’s a tough one. Given their current standing, maybe someone easy? But logically, they’d want to face San Diego Wave. Why? Because beating the No. 1 team in the power rankings would prove they belong. San Diego has won five straight and clinched a playoff spot. Beating them would be a statement win.
Nicole: I love that. A Cinderella story. But realistically, can they do it? Let’s do a lightning round. Quick questions. First: Can the Stars make the playoffs? Second: Will Chicago host 2031 World Cup games? Third: Is Naeher still the best goalkeeper in the league?
Kevin: Playoffs? No. They’re 16th. Zero to two additional wins predicted earlier. They’re out. 2031 World Cup? Yes. Sources confirm Chicago and Portland joined the race. It’s a long shot, but possible. Naeher? Still elite. Two saves against Angel City under pressure shows her class.
Nicole: Solid answers. Before we wrap up, I want to take a quick moment. We work hard every day to bring you free, ad-free coverage of the teams you love. No paywalls, no interruptions. Just pure soccer analysis. If you enjoy what we do, please consider supporting us. It helps keep the show independent and daily. You can find the link in the episode description. Thank you for listening.
Kevin: Thanks for the support. It means a lot. To recap: Kundananji is a future star, Maitane is likely gone, and the Stars are focused on the 2031 bid. Subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen.
Nicole: Go Stars! See you tomorrow for more Beatline.