It was a Friday night of mixed emotions for Chicago Stars FC as they kicked off their 2025 NWSL season against the Orlando Pride in Florida.

The rebranded Stars, playing in their first-ever game with a new name and crest, found themselves mismatched against the Pride as they lost 6-0 to the reigning league champions.

The Pride’s Barbra Banda was a standout performer in the match, scoring a seven-minute brace, which included a screamer from outside the 18-yard box in the 87th minute of play. Legendary Brazilian attacker Marta provided an assist on a night that began her 26th season in professional soccer.

The Stars sorely missed key contributors such as forward Mallory Swanson, who remains away from the team for undisclosed reasons. Swanson’s prowess up front could have been used as the Stars struggled to threaten the Pride’s defense.

Stars head coach Lorne Donaldson said a lot of his team’s shaky performance had to do with nerves.

“There’s going to be some jitters. … There was a lot of that and it lasted too long,” Donaldson said in the Stars’ postgame media availability. “We just couldn’t find ourselves in a comfortable place.”

Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who entered her 10th season with the club, said her performance was not up to standards.

“I need to make more saves — at the end of the day, that’s my job,” Naeher said. “We’re not going to win very many games if I give up six goals.”

The 2024 U.S. Soccer Player of the year certainly will look to bounce back after a rough day in the office.

As much as it was a night for veterans to share the field, it also was a night of landmarks and new beginnings.

New Stars forward Justina Gaynor became the 1,000th player to take the field in NWSL history when she was subbed on in the 64th minute.

The Stars also brought on 17-year-old Micayla Johnson in the 65th minute, with the Michigan native becoming the youngest debutant in Stars history.

Despite the Stars’ early struggles, the young talent they possess will give fans all the more reason to tune in to what should be an exciting season. The Stars’ next game will be their home opener, March 23 against the Houston Dash.