The Chicago Stars fired general manager Richard Feuz on Wednesday as the team is near the bottom of the NWSL standings with a league-worst minus-17 goal differential.
The Stars are 3-8-0 for nine points, 15th in the 16-team league after finishing last of 14 teams at 3-12-11 (20 points) in 2025. Chicago has the fewest goals scored (five) and most allowed (22) this season.
“What we hope for in a league like this is to be competitive,” Stars president Karen Leetzow told reporters on Wednesday, per ESPN. “You want to be in playoff contention all the time.
“But at the very least, you need to have a compelling product on the pitch. I don’t think we have either this year. And that is not for lack of trying. That’s why we are disappointed with the outcome and why we decided to make the change that we made today.”
The Stars were 16-34-13 in the regular season and 17-36-14 in all competitions since Feuz was hired as general manager in February 2024. They made the playoffs that season as the No. 8 seed.
Martin Sjogren was hired as head coach in August 2025 but didn’t officially coach his first Stars game until this year because of a job commitment in Sweden.
Leetzow said on Wednesday that “right now, we’re confident in Martin and Martin’s process,” and “we feel good about the coaches we have.”
Leetzow, assistant general manager Beatrice Caliani and director of soccer operations Olivia Wynn will help handle general manager duties by committee until a GM is hired.
“We are seeking an experienced sporting leader who brings a proven track record of building competitive rosters and aligning organizations around a clear vision,” Leetzow said in a news release on Wednesday. “We are grateful for Richard’s dedication to the Stars and for his work in attracting world-class talent to Chicago.”
–Field Level Media
