

And later that day, the Washington Post revealed that before his resignation, the publication had approached the team’s front office with claims and allegations about Dames’ abusive coaching. On November 22, 2021, coach Rory Dames resigned. However, in the end, the Spirit won the game in overtime.Īfter the 2021 season is when things imploded for the team. The Spirit opened the scoring in the first half, but Chicago leveled it in stoppage time with an exciting goal from Rachel Hill. However, forward Kealia Watt went down with an injury in the first half, later confirmed as an ACL tear.Īfter losing a starting forward in Watt, the Red Stars headed into the final against the Spirit. In the semifinal against the Portland Thorns, goals from Katie Johnson and Sarah Woldmoe gave the Red Stars the 2-0 victory. They beat Gotham FC 1-0 in the first round. In 2021, Chicago finished fourth in the NWSL, meaning they qualified for the playoffs. Before the pandemic, they consistently finished above fourth place in the standings. Although they have never found a championship title, they hold the longest playoff streak in the league–since 2015. The NWSL formed in 2012, and the Red Stars joined as one of the original eight teams the following year.Īdditionally, Chicago is one of the most successful teams in the league. This was when Rory Dames started coaching the team. The Red Stars began competing in the WPS in 2009 and then the WPSL in 2011. The Red Stars are one of the oldest teams in the NWSL, with roots that go back before the league’s inception. Even though the front office changes were necessary-and past due–the team now lacks a strong identity and struggles not only to find wins but to compete with other teams. The Red Stars have endured multiple hardships, from the firing of an abusive coach to a change in ownership to a string of injuries and player absences. It has left them with a record that places them tenth out of the twelve teams, the worst goal differential in the league at negative fourteen, and remnants of a once successful team.

The Chicago Red Stars are going through an identity crisis.
