The Chicago Stars captain, Alyssa Naeher will return to the Windy City after signing a one-year contract through the 2026 season to remain with the club.
“I’m excited to be returning for my 11th season
with Chicago,” said Naeher. “I feel like I still have more to give and want to be out there competing with my teammates and continue to push this organization forward. We made a lot of positive strides to close out last season and I want to build on that.”
The Stars finished the 2025 season with some better performances under their new head coach, Anders Jacobson, but were last in the standings with only three wins, 11 draws and 12 losses.
“The Chicago Stars and I are very happy to welcome (Naeher) back for her 11th season with the club,” said Chicago Stars general manager, Richard Feuz. “(Naeher) has had an immeasurably important impact on the Stars and our fans, and we look forward to her continuing to lead and set the standard for what it means to be a Chicago Star both on and off the pitch.”
The captain’s return was in question following her retirement from international career with USWNT at the end of 2024, despite remaining the team’s best option in net.
Naeher remains one of the top goalkeepers in the world and has racked up numerous accolades both in the NWSL and the USWNT where she won two FIFA Women’s World Cup’s and an Olympic gold medal at the 2024 games in Paris. She joined the Stars, in the 2016 season following a trade with the Boston Breakers and leads the club in regular season starts, appearances, minutes played and saves with 512.
“I wanted to come back another year, it felt like unfinished business from last year,” said Naeher. “We kind of started getting into a rhythm by the end and I still feel like I’ve got a little bit left in the tank, and wanted to keep going.”
