NWSL’s Chicago Stars fire GM Richard Feuz; search underway for replacement
· Yahoo Sports
The Chicago Stars announced Wednesday that they have fired general manager Richard Feuz after two years with the club.
The abrupt change in leadership comes at a time when the Stars are struggling on the pitch.
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The club sits second-to-last in the NWSL, with a 3-8-0 record. Although the team has enjoyed a slight recent upswing with the return of U.S. women’s national team forward Mallory Swanson, who led the Stars to their third win of the season Sunday at Bay FC in her second match back, the club said that now is the right time for a change in direction.
“Chicago Stars FC and its ownership recognize that our on-field performance has fallen short of the standards we have set for ourselves and the expectations of our fans,” Stars president Karen Leetzow said in a club statement. “Following a thorough assessment of the organization, we have determined that a change in sporting leadership is necessary to reach our collective ambitions.”
The club said it has already begun its search for Feuz’s replacement.
It is unclear whether the Stars will name an interim GM in the meantime. A club spokesperson confirmed to The Athletic on Wednesday morning that for now, sporting decisions will be managed by an internal committee that includes senior team officials, the club’s player leadership group and select sporting staff.
With summer transfer windows fast approaching, the next several months could prove critical for the Stars’ chances of turning around their season and returning to the NWSL playoffs.
“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. “We are grateful for Richard’s dedication to the Stars and for his work in attracting world-class talent to Chicago.”
Feuz joined the Stars in February 2024, and his time at the helm was marked by near-constant change. Following his arrival, the team clinched a playoff berth that season. Last year, the Stars finished at the bottom of the NWSL table after a season that saw three interim coaches following the firing of Lorne Donaldson in April 2025.
The club is hopeful that efforts behind the scenes will spur a revival on the pitch. Head coach Martin Sjögren, best known for his time leading the Norway women’s national team, began his tenure at the start of the 2026 season. The Stars also managed to secure former longtime U.S. women’s national team goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher for at least one more season. Swanson’s return from maternity leave was an expected boost that finally came this month.
The Stars return home this weekend to face the San Diego Wave, who are third in the standings. The strong opponent will be a significant test for the Stars, as they try to carry the momentum from a bounce-back win over a short-handed Bay FC side that finished the game with nine players. It is the team’s final match before a monthlong pause for the start of the men’s World Cup.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
Chicago Red Stars, NWSL, Women's Soccer
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