The Chicago Red Stars are officially becoming the Chicago Stars FC

Countries & Cities · Published 14 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: A team defined by resilience and record-breaking streaks is undergoing a brand evolution. From surviving financial collapses to navigating coaching scandals, the club's journey from the Red Stars to the Chicago Stars FC reflects the complex history of American women's professional soccer.

The club's identity is deeply rooted in Chicago's history. Inspired by the city's flag, the 'Red Stars' moniker was selected via a 2008 supporter vote to represent four six-pointed red stars. Four distinct Chicago milestones are honoured by these stars: Fort Dearborn, the 1893 World's Fair, the 1933 World's Fair, and the Great Chicago Fire. In October 2024, the team announced a transition to 'Chicago Stars Football Club' to mark a new era. The team's path to the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) was marked by significant instability. After joining the Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) league in 2009, the club faced severe financial issues that forced them to leave the league in December 2010. They spent the 2011 season in the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) before co-founding the WPSL Elite in 2012.

This transitional period eventually led to the club becoming a founding member of the NWSL in 2012. On the pitch, the team has seen both historic highs and low points. Between 2015 and 2022, the club maintained the NWSL's most extensive continuous run of playoff appearances. However, the club has also faced internal turmoil, notably the 2021 resignation of head coach Rory Dames following allegations of player abuse dating back to 2014. The club was recently acquired in September 2023 for $60 million by a group of business leaders led by Laura Ricketts.

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