Venue: Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, Evanston, Illinois
Kickoff: 2:00 p.m. ET / 1:00 p.m. CT,
Broadcast on CBS Sports Network.
Weather forecast (Evanston/Chicago area)
Partly cloudy/sunny, high around 76°F (mid-70s), low near 59°F, northwest winds 5–10 mph, low precipitation chance. Pleasant late-summer conditions with minimal weather impact expected.
Current Records and Recent Form
Racing Louisville sits 12th in the expanded 16-team NWSL table and is surging. They enter on a club-record four-game winning streak (and five wins in their last six overall), highlighted by a 2-1 home win over Seattle Reign on August 19 (Emma Sears brace), a 4-1 win over Boston Legacy, a 3-1 road win at Orlando Pride, and a 2-1 home win over Chicago on August 1. They are pushing for a playoff spot.
Chicago Stars are last (16th) with just 13 points and a -30 goal differential. Recent form is poor: a 5-0 loss at Houston Dash (August 19/20), a 1-0 loss at Seattle, a 0-0 draw vs. Bay FC, the 2-1 loss at Louisville, and earlier defeats. They parted ways with head coach Martin Sjögren in mid-August (Karina Baez interim). The Stars have scored only 9 goals in 20 matches.
Series History
The teams met earlier this month (August 1) with Louisville winning 2-1 at home (goals from Mirann Gacioch and Kayla Fischer; Nádia Gomes replied for Chicago). Across recent head-to-heads, Louisville holds the edge (stronger recent record, including multiple wins). Historical meetings (when Chicago was the Red Stars) have been competitive, but Louisville has momentum in 2026.
Key Player Rosters
Racing Louisville FC (head coach Bev Yanez): Core includes GK Jordyn Bloomer; defenders Arin Wright (captain), Ellie Jean, Lauren Milliet, Quincy McMahon, Mirann Gacioch, Courtney Petersen, Makenna Morris; midfielders Taylor Flint, Katie O’Kane, Savannah DeMelo (availability varies), Macey Hodge; forwards Emma Sears, Kayla Fischer, Sarah Weber, Maja Lardner, Rachel Hill, Ella Hase, Audrey McKeen. Sears (multiple goals recently, including braces) and Fischer lead the attack; Milliet provides key assists; Flint anchors midfield.
Chicago Stars FC: Goalkeepers Alyssa Naeher (captain, longtime USWNT veteran), Halle Mackiewicz, Katie Atkinson; defenders Sam Staab, Michelle Alozie, Elise Evans, Taylor Wood, Aaliyah Farmer, Kathrin Hendrich (intl), Natalia Kuikka (SEI status noted earlier); midfielders Julia Grosso (intl), Brianna Pinto, Bea Franklin, Leilanni Nesbeth, Manaka Hayashi, Tessa Dellarose, Emma Egizii; forwards Mallory Swanson (maternity leave earlier reports), Jordyn Huitema (SEI noted), Nádia Gomes, Jameese Joseph, Jenna Bike, Ivonne Chacón, Ryan Gareis, Micayla Johnson. Attack has been limited; Naeher remains a key veteran presence.
Injury/Availability Reports
Earlier reports (July and prior) listed Chicago with multiple absences, including Jordyn Huitema (knee – SEI), Natalia Kuikka (knee – SEI), Mallory Swanson (maternity/lower leg issues), Bea Franklin, Emma Egizii, and others at various times. Louisville has generally been healthier, with occasional notes on players like Savannah DeMelo, Marisa DiGrande (maternity), or others, but recent lineups (e.g., vs. Seattle) showed a strong available group including Sears, Fischer, Milliet, Flint, Wright, etc. One preview noted no major sidelined players for either side closer to the match, but Chicago’s depth and form have been heavily impacted by injuries/absences all season. Check official NWSL or club reports closer to kickoff for final updates.
Key Player Matchups
Emma Sears / Kayla Fischer (Louisville attack) vs. Chicago back line / Alyssa Naeher: Sears is in strong form (brace vs. Seattle; key contributor all season) and Fischer has scored consistently (including vs. Chicago earlier). They will test a Stars defense that has conceded heavily (39 goals). Naeher’s experience is critical for Chicago to keep it close.
Lauren Milliet / Taylor Flint (Louisville midfield/creators) vs. Julia Grosso / Brianna Pinto / Bea Franklin: Louisville’s midfield control and service (Milliet’s assists) against Chicago’s ability to disrupt and transition. Flint’s defensive work rate is a factor.
Overall team dynamics: Louisville’s recent high-pressing, multi-goal scoring form against Chicago’s low-output attack (Nádia Gomes and limited options). Louisville’s road resilience in the streak vs. Chicago’s home struggles and coaching transition.
MATCH ODDS
Racing Louisville FC – 140
Chicago Stars + 280
Draw + 290
Over 2.5 – 195 Under 2.5 + 125
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, August 22, 2026
