Chicago Stars FC NWSL will begin its 2026 season with a matchup against Angel City FC, a team that has bolstered its roster with several offseason additions. The Angel City offense will feature a retooled look, with several 2025 midseason acquisitions likely to start. Midfielder Maiara Niehues has already made her mark in the preseason, scoring a brace in Angel City’s victory over the Thorns in the Coachella Valley Invitational on Feb. 15. Countrywoman Ary Borges, who has made nearly 50 appearances with the Brazilian national team, signed with ACFC in January and will help drive the midfield attack for Straus. The midfield will also feature young star Kennedy Fuller, the versatile Nealy Martin, and Duke alumna Carina Lageyre. Forward Riley Tiernan will be looking to make her presence felt up front once again for an Angel City offense that was top-five in the NWSL in shots taken in 2025. After joining last year’s preseason squad as a non-roster invitee, Tiernan was signed to a full contract by ACFC and went on to score eight goals in 26 starts in her first professional season — earning her an NWSL Rookie of the Year nomination. Tiernan will be accompanied in the attack by dynamic players Jun Endo, Sveindís Jónsdóttir, and Prisca Chilufya. Fans can expect to see new mom Claire Emslie back on the pitch this season as well. Emslie and Endo have both been with ACFC since its inaugural season in 2022, while Jónsdóttir and Chilufya are each entering their first full year with the club. The Angel City offense also features several young players. South Korean forward Casey Phair is back with the club after completing a loan to Djurgårdens IF and signed a contract extension with ACFC through 2028. Two new faces to look for in the Angel City attack are 2025 NCAA champion Taylor Suarez and National Team Replacement Player Rajanah Reed. The ACFC back line will be anchored once again by captain Sarah Gorden, who has been a mainstay in the Angel City defense since 2022. Defender and U.S. Women’s National Team player Gisele Thompson is now signed through 2029 and will play a hybrid role on the right wing, pushing forward when attacking opportunities present themselves. Savy King is expected to start in her second season with Angel City after having recovered from the cardiac incident that she experienced in May 2025. Former NCAA champion Evelyn Shores will be back for an Angel City defense that conceded the second-fewest penalties in 2025. Defender Sophia Mattice is starting her second season with the club, while Emily Sams and Karsyn Cherry joined ACFC in January after stints with the Orlando Pride and the University of Louisville, respectively. Back as the incumbent in goal will be Angelina Anderson. She was drafted by Angel City in the 2023 NWSL draft and started 22 games in 2025. Fellow goalkeeper Hannah Seabert is entering her second season with ACFC, while Faith Nguyen signed a six-month contract with the club after starring at Texas Tech. Chicago Stars FC NWSL will face a tough test in its season opener against Angel City FC, a team that has made significant offseason additions. The match will be a challenging test for the Chicago Stars FC NWSL squad.