This Sunday, the Washington Spirit (13-4-7) are visiting the Windy City to take on the Chicago Stars (5-2-17). Although the Stars have officially fallen out of playoff contention, the winds of change may finally be blowing in their favor.

Remember a few weeks ago when the Spirit were in a terrible August slump and I told you not to panic? It’s still not time to panic, but if you’re tuning in for Sunday’s match, you may want to practice deep breathing techniques and designate a trusted adult to do a wellness check on Monday morning.

What to Expect

It’s safe to say that this season, the Chicago Stars are very bad and the Washington Spirit is (maybe) very good. With only six games left in the regular season and a less than 10-point spread between 2nd and 8th in the table, every week counts and the Spirit are drifting from defending their position at the top toward fighting for a spot in the playoffs.

Best case scenario, last week’s shocking 3-0 loss to the Boston Legacy was a huge wake up call and the Spirit (finally) come hungry to prove that they are one of the best teams in the league. Based on their recent performances, it feels equally likely that they will underestimate their opponent, waste critical chances to attack, and that they are most in danger of a loss or draw if they do not put this game away early.

Chicago Stars

How They Got Here

As if last year’s wooden spoon wasn’t shameful enough, the Stars have somehow managed to have an even worse showing in 2026. The season isn’t over yet, and they have allowed 54 goals in 24 matches. This month alone, they allowed six goals TWICE IN A ROW, losing 6-1 against Denver and then 6-0 to North Carolina. For Chicago fans, it was starting to look like even Pope Leo couldn’t create a miracle for this team.

But then, last week in Portland, the Stars showed up and did something different. Newly (re)appointed Interim Director of Coaching Lorne Donaldson made his presence visible on the sidelines, and longtime woso watchers familiar with the Reggae Girls (aka Jamaica’s Women’s National Team) could recognize his coaching in the compact and organized style of the defense, particularly defending inside the box. Portland’s leading attackers Sophia Wilson and Pietra Tordin were only able to get 15 combined touches in the box (Wilson – 8, Tordin – 7). The game ended in a 1-1 draw, and it was a huge spiritual victory for Chicago.

As if coming home with a huge morale boost wasn’t enough, on Thursday it was announced that former USWNT head coach and Kansas City Current Sporting Director Vlatko Andonovski would be joining the team in the role of Chief Soccer Officer. Suddenly, a team that was S.O.L. and presumably an easy way to gain three points has a new spark.

Key Difference Makers

When it comes to the Stars, it’s hard to identify a star. Their injury list being full of goal scoring threats certainly isn’t helping (namely Mallory Swanson, Jordyn Huitema, and Micayla Johnson, who is returning from representing the USWNToddlers at the U-20 Women’s World Cup, where she scored two goals). With a lack of attacking firepower, Chicago has one goal: defend for their lives.

Led by NWSL veteran and former Washington Spirit center back Sam Staab, Chicago finally achieved a Lorne Donaldson Defense™️ last week and assuming they can replicate it, the Spirit will need to be clinical and decisive in the final third in order to break them down.

As you can see from Portland’s shot map (red/left side), Chicago’s defense was able to create an arc around the six-yard box and prevent Portland from getting a high quality chance at goal. Even from inside the box, most of their 22 shots missed (empty circles) and the six shots that were on target (filled-in circles) were not from especially advantageous positions (only 1.33xG), this is a wild improvement after allowing 12 goals in the previous two games.

Washington is going to have to put a lot of pressure and draw fouls from fullbacks Taylor Malham and Nádia Gomes, on the inside they will have to find creative ways to split CBs Sam Staab and Maitane López, probably taking advantage of López playing out of her natural position as a defensive midfielder.

Washington Spirit

How They Got Here

Last week against the Boston Legacy, the Spirit lost in a manner that can really only be described as alarming. The game was close and physical from the very beginning and it was clear that the Spirit were easily frustrated by Boston not giving them any space on the ball. These frustrations manifested in disconnected passes, late tackles, and an inability to progress into the final third and get any attack going toward Boston’s goal. In the 81st minute, the Legacy’s Aïssata Traoré broke the deadlock (as I told you she would) and for the last 10 minutes plus stoppage, the game opened up. Unfortunately, it was too little too late and not only were the Spirit unable to find an equalizer, but Boston’s Amanda Gutierres managed to put away two more goals in the dying minutes of the game (90+4′ and 90+6′) on counterattacks.

Head Coach Adrián González has repeatedly emphasized that his goal is for the team to develop patience in the game, and during last week’s post-game press conference he continued to stress that the Spirit needed to continue having patience in their build up. My interpretation is that he wants the team to maintain possession and make smart lateral and backwards passes to draw their opponents out of their defensive shape before pressing in attack. When executed properly, this style of play is played by some of the best teams in the world (see: the Spanish Women’s National Team). However, this is not In the Heights and now is not the time for paciencia y fe.

If anything, the way that the Spirit perform González’s plan often looks less like patience, and more like a lack of urgency. In the first half against Boston, Washington only managed seven touches in the opposition’s box, zero shots on target, and only .07xG. The week before against Portland was a similar story in the first half: .12xG, nine touches in the box, two shots on target (out of three total).

Key Difference Makers

Patience FC is not a winning squad, a fun team to watch, and (worst of all) wastes a lot of the Spirit’s talents. It is great to develop playing styles that embrace the beautiful game, but it’s also great to have a speedy and lethal front line that can kick down the door and charge at the goal. While still missing their key creative spark Leicy Santos to injury, Washington needs to find a way to break through defenses using other methods.

Newcomer Mélissa Bethi has often been the energy in the midfield that the Spirit needed, but is still developing her chemistry and connections with the team. Midfielder and captain Andi Sullivan was suspended last week after receiving two yellow cards against Portland, but in the pre-match presser she talked about wanting to bring a new (winning) mentality to the team. If she starts Sunday’s match, hopefully her leadership can help ignite the Spirit to do what they do best.

This week, I’d like to see Rose Kouassi running down the line into space and making crosses while the rest of the squad runs at the goal. Trinity Rodman giving fullbacks a headache and cutting in to take shots on her own or setup her teammates for a shot. Sofia Cantore finding space, and if Chicago is going to be compact in the box, taking shots from distance and forcing defenders to step out toward her–creating an opening for the attack to slip in closer to goal. Gift Monday crashing into the box.

The Spirit can win this match, but they will need to be tenacious from the opening minutes and not give the hopeful underdogs Chicago any room to eke out a win or draw.

Availability Reports

Washington Spirit:

OUT: Deborah Abiodun (SEI), Aubrey Kingsbury (Maternity Leave), Casey Krueger (Maternity Leave), Leicy Santos (Foot), Élisabeth Tsé (Hip), Kate Wiesner (Ankle – D45)

Chicago Stars:

Location: Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, Evanston, Illinois
Kickoff time: 5:00 PM ET
Available TV: ESPN