The Chicago Stars FC returned to Martin Stadium on July 5 for a matchup against Utah Royals FC. This second meeting of the season occurred following the NWSL midseason break, with kickoff scheduled for 4 p.m. CT.
The Stars entered the contest with a record of 3-9-0, while the Royals held a record of 7-2-3. The event served as an Independence Day Celebration, featuring an Oath of Enlistment ceremony during halftime and activities within the Jameson Fan Zone.
The Stars hosted several community initiatives during the match, including a Letters to Service Members station where fans could write notes to active-duty military members. The Jameson Fan Zone also featured food trucks and a live band.
In terms of recent performance, the Royals arrived after earning a 2-2 draw against Portland before the break. The Stars were looking to recover from a 2-0 loss to San Diego Wave FC that took place on May 30 at Martin Stadium.
Historically, the Stars held a 6-4-1 advantage over the Royals dating back to Utah's 2018 inaugural season. While the Royals won their previous meeting of the season 1-0 at America First Field on April 3, the Stars had not previously lost to Utah when playing at home.
The Chicago roster saw recent changes during the midseason break, including the signing of Spanish defender Leila Ouahabi to a three-year contract. Ouahabi joined the club as a free agent from Manchester City.
The club also appointed Kate Cohen as an interim Technical Consultant to advise on player recruitment and roster construction. Conversely, the team announced that Assistant Coach Mariana Cabral, who previously coached for Utah Royals FC, and midfielder Leilanni Nesbeth would be parting ways with the club.
Individual performances noted in recent play included defender Sam Staab, who led the league in clearances with 76, and goalkeeper Katie Atkinson. Atkinson was also named the Stars' nominee for the 2026 Lauren Holiday Impact Award for her community work with the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.
