Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. CT / 8:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, Evanston, Illinois
Stream: NWSL+
Game Overview
This is a late regular-season NWSL matchup and the Chicago Stars’ final home game of 2026 (Fan Appreciation Night presented by United Airlines). The Stars sit at the bottom of the table after a difficult campaign, while the Dash are mid-to-lower table and looking to finish stronger on the road. Houston swept the season series so far with a dominant 5-0 home win over Chicago on August 19. Pre-match festivities include fan-zone activities, giveaways (themed patches and LED batons), and a national anthem performance.
Current Player Rosters / Key Personnel
Chicago Stars FC (struggling attack and defense; recent coaching/structure changes including Vlatko Andonovski as Chief Soccer Officer): Key names in recent action include Mallory Swanson, Simone Charley (scored in the last home game), Sam Staab (club-record starts), Maitane, Katie Atkinson (GK, Lauren Holiday Impact Award nominee), and others such as Jameese Joseph. Depth has been tested by injuries.
Houston Dash (interim head coach Jaime Frias): Notable contributors include Danielle Colaprico (recent goal-scorer), rookies/young talent such as Kate Faasse, Kat Rader, and Linda Ullmark (who featured in the 5-0 win), plus experienced pieces in midfield and defense. The squad has shown ability to score in bunches at times.
Both teams have rotated and dealt with absences throughout a long season; confirm final lineups via official channels closer to kickoff.
Injury / Availability Reports
Chicago Stars FC: Multiple absences including Jordyn Huitema (knee – season-ending injury/SEI), Natalia Kuikka (knee – SEI), Ryan Connaughton (knee), and other longer-term or excused absences in prior windows. Depth has been a season-long challenge.
Houston Dash: Malia Berkely (maternity leave), Makenzy Robbe (knee – SEI), Amanda West (knee – SEI), Evelina Duljan (excused), and occasional other lower-body or short-term issues (e.g., prior notes on Colaprico or others). Availability fluctuates; check official NWSL or club reports for the most current list on matchday.
Current Weather Forecast
Favorable conditions in Evanston/Chicago area. Daytime high near 67°F under sunny to mostly sunny skies. By evening kickoff and into the night: temperatures in the mid-50s to low-60s°F, partly cloudy, light east-southeast winds around 5–10 mph, and very low precipitation chance. Comfortable for players and fans.
Recent Team Forms
Houston Dash (8-14-6): Inconsistent but capable of strong results (including the 5-0 thrashing of Chicago). Recent form includes a 1-2 home loss to Orlando Pride on October 18 after a second-half push. They have secured some road points under interim leadership and will look to end the regular season positively before a home finale against Portland.
Chicago Stars FC (5-21-2): Difficult season near the bottom of the table with a poor goal differential. Recent results include a 1-3 home loss to Seattle Reign FC on October 18 (Simone Charley’s late goal the only reply) and a winless stretch (0-6-1 in one noted seven-game sample). Home record has also been challenging (roughly 4-9-1 range). Motivation for a positive final home performance is high.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Houston attack (Colaprico, young forwards like Faasse/Rader/Ullmark) vs. Chicago defense (Staab and center-back partners): Dash showed clinical finishing in the earlier 5-0 win. Chicago’s back line has conceded heavily all season.
Mallory Swanson / Simone Charley (Stars attack) vs. Dash midfield and back line: Swanson remains a quality creator/scorer when available; Charley’s recent goal shows secondary threat. Houston’s structure will look to limit transitions.
Midfield battles (Stars’ Maitane/others vs. Dash’s Colaprico and central group): Control of the middle third and set-piece execution could decide a low-scoring or open game.
Goalkeeping: Stars’ Katie Atkinson or alternatives vs. Dash’s primary keeper — clean-sheet potential favors the more organized side.
Series History
Chicago holds the overall historical edge (approximately 16-11-8 dating back to 2014 per club notes), but Houston has dominated recent meetings, including three consecutive wins and the emphatic 5-0 result earlier in 2026. A Dash win would extend that streak.
Betting Trends
Trends reflect Chicago’s poor form and defensive vulnerabilities versus Houston’s ability to put up multi-goal performances against weaker opposition. Public money may lean toward the better team (Dash) or overs given Stars’ concession rate. Home-field and “last home game” motivation for Chicago are the main counter-factors.
MATCH ODDS
Houston Dash + 100
Chicago Stars FC + 215
Draw + 270
Over 2.5 – 145 Under 2.5 + 105
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, October 22, 2026
