3 problems bringing down the struggling Chicago Stars, and how to fix them | OneFootball

Chicago Stars have always been known for their talent. Top players like Christen Press, Alyssa Naeher, and Mallory Swanson have all played for the club.

Now, with the league constantly changing, Chicago finds itself with only three points after six games. Here's exactly what's going wrong, and how to change it.

Mallory Swanson's absence has hurt the attack

Orlando Pride v Chicago Red Stars - NWSL 2024 Playoffs | Dustin Markland/GettyImages

Stars striker Mallory Swanson cited personal reasons for not joining the team at the beginning of preseason, and there's still no timeline for her return. And without her, the Stars have found life in front of goal to be troublesome.

The Stars have only scored three goals in six matches, and two of those came in their only win against Bay FC. Forwards Ludmila and Jameese Joseph have supplied these three goals, but so far have lacked the consistency that Swanson provides.

While Ludmila and Joseph need to combine more often to provide more of a threat in front of goal, head coach Lorne Donaldson probably needs his team to make up for the void left by Swanson's absence by committee.

Midfielders Julia Grosso and Bea Franklin are candidates to help, having been among the most threatening supplemental attackers so far.

The home form is dismal

Playing away is almost always more difficult, but the Stars are winless at home this season and in their last six home fixtures dating back to last year. That reached a new extreme in a 3-0 home loss to San Diego over the weekend.

Going back further, Chicago has lost 10 of their last 12 matches at SeatGeek Stadium. It's a venue where the atmosphere often lacks, but the Stars have to start winning games there to change it.

They won't play their next home game until May 10 against the Washington Spirit, which will admittedly be a tough matchup. But the performance there needs to be better.

The defense isn't showing its talent

Chicago Stars FC v Bay FC | Elysia Su/ISI Photos/GettyImages

Chicago had one of the worst possible starts to the season, conceding six goals away to Orlando and setting the stage for a total of 14 allowed overall, which is still a league-worst.

Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher has been a solid shot-stopper, but the defensive line in front of her hasn't been playing to its talent level. Sam Staab the most known commodity in that group after serving as a staple in the back line for the Spirit for four seasons.

But some basics are fixable, such as getting better at tracking back and alertness in front of goal. Naeher's presence gives Chicago the potential to improve significantly if they can find some consistency in their defensive performances.