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Jeff Kassouf
Multiple Authors
The Chicago Stars have terminated general manager Richard Feuz’s contract following another challenging start to the National Women’s Soccer League season.
“In a league like this, we aspire to be competitive,” said Stars president Karen Leetzow during a press briefing on Wednesday. “Our goal is to consistently contend for playoff spots.”
“At the very least, a team should present an engaging product on the field. Unfortunately, we haven’t achieved either this year. This decision stems from our frustration with these results despite our efforts, which is why we chose to make this change today.”
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As of now, Chicago ranks 15th out of 16 teams in the NWSL, with just nine points from 11 matches. Their goal differential of minus-17 is the worst in the league.
Feuz was appointed in February 2024, after the Stars secured a playoff position as the No. 8 seed.
However, the Stars have faced considerable challenges both on and off the field in recent years, finishing last in 2025 and often competing under interim coaches.
During Feuz’s tenure as general manager, the team recorded a total of 17 wins, 36 losses, and 14 draws across all competitions.
In early 2025, Feuz and the Stars dismissed head coach Lorne Donaldson due to a poor start to the season.
In August, the Stars appointed former Norway women’s national team coach Martin Sjögren as their new head coach, although he did not coach his first match until 2026 due to finishing his commitments in Sweden.
Chicago’s 2026 season commenced with a 4-0 defeat to Angel City in Los Angeles. On May 16, they suffered another 4-0 loss, this time to the North Carolina Courage.
“Honestly, it’s frustrating,” Sjögren expressed after that match, adding that he was looking for solutions.
Leetzow expressed confidence in Sjögren’s leadership, stating, “Right now, we trust Martin and the direction he’s taking us, and we feel good about the coaching staff.”
A positive development has been the return of forward Mallory Swanson from maternity leave.
Swanson made her debut in the May 16 match and later scored the game-winning goal against Bay FC, who were reduced to nine players after receiving a second red card.
Leetzow stated that both she and assistant general manager Beatrice Caliani will oversee GM responsibilities temporarily.
No timeline has been set for the announcement of a new GM, but Leetzow confirmed that the search is underway. “We’re looking for someone with experience, perhaps someone with a bit of ‘gray hair,’ able to bring the maturity we need to the organization,” she added.
The NWSL’s transfer window opens on July 14, with discussions about out-of-contract international players typically starting well in advance. Additionally, the NWSL’s free agency signing window will open on July 1.
Leetzow mentioned that the Stars are actively engaged in discussions regarding the transfer window and remains “confident” that the team can make significant moves this summer.
Feuz adopted a Moneyball strategy in building Chicago’s roster, emphasizing the necessity for responsible spending. He appeared to implement this approach on behalf of ownership during his time in charge. On Wednesday, Leetzow disputed the notion that there had ever been a cap on player spending.
“Richard pursued a specific theory,” she said. “We’ve certainly been let down by how that played out. Ultimately, he had the [salary] cap and all the resources needed to get this team in the right direction.”