Chicago is shaking up its sideline, as the last-place Stars parted ways with head coach Martin Sjögren and assistant Anders Jacobson on Wednesday.
With just one win since May, Sjögren exits on a 4-1-13 record and minus-24 goal differential. Assistant Karina Báez subsequently takes over as interim coach for the rest of the season.
Nicole Lukic comes on as Chicago’s new assistant coach. She joins the NWSL after stints with USL Super League side Spokane Zephyr and USL-W’s Minnesota Aurora.
The Stars are also bringing back former boss Lorne Donaldson as interim director of coaching. It’s a surprising move given Donaldson’s abrupt midseason dismissal last year.
“We are determined to make our club a serious contender in the NWSL and have a plan in place to do so beginning now and leading into the 2027 season,” President Karen Leetzow said in a team statement.
Chicago returns tomorrow, facing No. 9 Seattle at 10 PM ET (NWSL+).
