Nicole: The score was 4-0. The silence in the stadium was deafening. But the noise from your inbox? It’s absolutely electric. Welcome back to the Beatline Podcast Network.
Kevin: I’m Kevin, and I’m here with Nicole. We are diving deep into the mailbag today, answering your toughest questions about a Chicago Stars team that sits at 5-2-22 in 16th place.
Nicole: Today we’re tackling the tactical breakdown of that Angel City defeat, the looming roster decisions regarding Maitane, and whether Chicago can actually pull off a surprise bid for the 2031 World Cup. Let’s get into it.
Kevin: It’s been a long season, folks. Five wins, two draws, twenty-two losses. That is not just a number; that is a pattern. And you all have some strong opinions on how this ends.
Nicole: We’ve got three segments planned. First, we’re looking at the big picture—standings and storylines. Then, we’ll dive into the roster battles and depth chart changes. Finally, a fun hypothetical and a lightning round. Grab your notes.
Nicole: Let’s start with a question from Sarah in Rochester. She asks: 'With the NWSL Power Rankings showing San Diego Wave at number one and Angel City rising, where does Chicago stand in the grand scheme of things right now?'
Kevin: Well, Sarah, if we look at the facts, Chicago is 16th. In the NWSL. That puts us firmly in the bottom tier. When you compare our record to San Diego’s five-game winning streak or Angel City’s current form, there’s a massive gap.
Nicole: And that gap wasn’t just theoretical last week. In their last game against Angel City on March 15th, the Stars were shut out 4-0. Maiara Niehues had five shots, Gisele Thompson completed 43 passes. Meanwhile, Maitane only managed two shots for Chicago.
Kevin: Exactly. It’s a structural issue. Angel City dominated possession and chance creation. Julia Grosso did her best, completing 31 passes, but when you’re down by four goals, individual metrics like that don’t change the result. The defensive line simply couldn’t handle the pressure.
Nicole: Another listener, @StarsFan99, wants to know about the headlines. There’s talk of the USWNT World Cup rebuild and even a GM survey about rule-breaking. Does any of that bleed into Chicago’s identity?
Kevin: Indirectly, yes. The league is shifting. With Zambia players missing games due to Ebola quarantine issues, rosters are volatile. For Chicago, stability is key. But right now, they’re struggling to find consistency against top-tier opposition.
Nicole: There’s also huge news about Chicago joining Portland in the race to host 2031 Women’s World Cup games. Does that excitement help the current squad?
Kevin: It’s a nice morale boost, sure. Hosting World Cup games is prestigious. But honestly, it doesn’t fix the 5-2-22 record. You can’t play future infrastructure on today’s pitch. The team needs to win games first before talking about global stages.
Nicole: Before we move to the roster, I need to ask you something directly. If these breakdowns help you understand the game better, please support us via the link in the episode description. Your contributions keep this show free and daily.
Nicole: Welcome back. Let’s talk personnel. Marcus in Denver asks: 'Is Maitane done in Chicago? We predicted earlier he might be released. What’s the data say?'
Kevin: Marcus, you know we’ve said this. Maitane had two shots in the last game. Two. Against a team that had five. When you look at the xG and the actual output, he isn’t impacting the game enough. Coach Andonovski has been cleaning up rosters, and this looks like a cut coming.
Nicole: What about Racheal Kundananji? How is she fitting in? And Michelle Alozie is away on international duty. Does that leave a hole in the defense?
Kevin: Kundananji brings energy, but integrating new signings mid-season is tough. Without Alozie, the left side of the defense lacks experience. That’s part of why we saw so many chances for Angel City. Width was lost, and transitions were punished.
Nicole: Alyssa Naeher made two saves in that loss. Is the goalkeeper position secure, or is there competition brewing for next year?
Kevin: Naeher is a world-class keeper. Two saves means the defense let in four goals without her needing to do much. Her job is secure for now, but if the defensive line doesn’t improve, even she can’t save them from bad results.
Nicole: One more from @ChiTownSoccer: 'Who steps up if Maitane goes? Who fills the attacking void?'
Kevin: That’s the million-dollar question. If Maitane is released, someone else needs to provide that offensive spark. But right now, the squad lacks depth. It’s going to be a trial by fire for whoever gets those minutes.
Nicole: Alright, final segment. Fun time. Hypothetical: If Chicago hosted the 2031 World Cup, what would the lineup look like today? Just for fun.
Kevin: Oh, wow. Okay. I’d stick with Naeher. I’d bring back Alozie from injury. And I’d bench Maitane. Honestly, the whole midfield needs a refresh. Maybe Grosso stays, but everyone else gets a workout.
Nicole: Lightning round! Quick takes. 1. Are the Stars making playoffs? 2. Will Maitane be gone by season end? 3. Is Chicago ready for the World Cup bid?
Kevin: 1. No. Not with this record. 2. Yes, highly likely. 3. The bid is separate from the team performance, but they’re connected in spirit. They need to prove they can compete first.
Nicole: There you have it. The Stars are fighting for respect, but the stats don’t lie yet. Thanks for listening to the Beatline Podcast Network.
Kevin: Keep your heads up, Chicago. We’ll see you next time.