Kickoff: 6:00 p.m. CDT / 4:00 p.m. PDT
Broadcast: NWSL+ / CBS Sports Golazo
Weather Forecast: 82°F, partly cloudy, humidity ~55%, winds 7–10 mph from the southwest — fast pitch conditions, mild cross‑wind.
Venue — Stars Stadium
Location: Bridgeview, IL (Chicago metro)
Surface: Hybrid grass
Capacity: ~18,000
Run Environment: Wide pitch favors possession‑heavy teams; Chicago’s press can be exposed in transition due to spacing.
Team Form & Context
Bay FC (5‑9‑3, 18 pts)
Last 5 Matches: L‑W‑D‑L‑D
Goals For: 21
Goals Against: 29
Trend: Bay FC’s attack has improved since late July, but defensive lapses remain a major issue.
Road Form: 2‑5‑2 — inconsistent, but competitive in midfield‑driven matches.
Chicago Stars FC (4‑13‑0, 12 pts)
Last 5 Matches: L‑L‑W‑L‑L
Goals For: 17
Goals Against: 35
Trend: Chicago’s defense has been the league’s most porous; however, their home attack has shown flashes.
Home Form: 3‑6‑0 — capable of scoring early but struggles to protect leads.
Series History
All‑Time Meetings: Bay FC leads 2‑0‑0
2026 Season:
May 2026: Bay FC 3, Chicago 1
July 2026: Bay FC 2, Chicago 0
Trend: Bay FC has controlled both matches, outscoring Chicago 5–1 this season.
Projected Starting Lineups (Based on Current Rosters)
Bay FC
Formation: 4‑3‑3
GK: Katelyn Rowland
DEF: Caprice Dydasco, Emily Menges, Kayla Sharples, Courtney Brown
MID: Alex Loera, Jen Beattie, Dorian Bailey
FWD: Scarlett Camberos, Asisat Oshoala, Alyssa Thompson
Chicago Stars FC
Formation: 4‑2‑3‑1
GK: Alyssa Naeher
DEF: Casey Krueger, Tierna Davidson, Natalia Kuikka, Zoe Morse
MID: Julia Bianchi, Cari Roccaro
AM: Mallory Swanson, Taylor Aylmer, Sarah Griffith
FWD: Jameese Joseph
Injury Reports
Bay FC
Asisat Oshoala — QUESTIONABLE (hamstring tightness)
Jen Beattie — DAY‑TO‑DAY (ankle)
Kayla Sharples — PROBABLE (hip)
Chicago Stars FC
Mallory Swanson — PROBABLE (knee soreness)
Natalia Kuikka — QUESTIONABLE (groin)
Alyssa Naeher — DAY‑TO‑DAY (shoulder)
Sarah Griffith — OUT (foot)
Key Player Matchups
Alyssa Thompson (Bay FC) vs. Casey Krueger (Chicago)
Thompson’s pace and dribbling vs Krueger’s veteran positioning. Thompson has created 11 chances in her last four matches.
Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC) vs. Tierna Davidson (Chicago)
If Oshoala plays, her physicality and aerial threat challenge Davidson’s timing and recovery speed.
Mallory Swanson (Chicago) vs. Emily Menges (Bay FC)
Swanson’s direct attacking style is Chicago’s best chance at breaking Bay FC’s defensive shape.
Recent Team Statistical Form
Bay FC
Expected Goals (xG) Last 5: 1.44 avg
Expected Goals Against (xGA): 1.62 avg
Shots per Match: 14.1
Possession: 51%
Chicago Stars FC
xG Last 5: 1.12 avg
xGA: 1.98 avg
Shots per Match: 10.4
Possession: 46%
Betting Trends
Bay FC:
3‑1‑1 ATS last 5
Unders have hit in 3 of last 4
Chicago:
1‑4 ATS last 5
Overs have hit in 4 of last 6 due to defensive issues
Head‑to‑Head:
Bay FC has covered in all meetings
Both matches this season went Under 3.5 goals
MATCH ODDS
Bay FC – 135
Chicago Stars FC + 280
Draw + 285
Over 2.5 – 170 Under 2.5 + 115
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, August 8, 2026
