The Chicago Stars announced their 23-player roster Wednesday ahead of the new NWSL season, which is scheduled to kick off on March 14 when the Stars take on the reigning champion Orlando Pride in Florida.

The club is gearing up for its first-ever season as the Stars after unveiling a rebranded name and logo in October.

[MORE: Chicago Stars unveil 2025 season schedule]

Fans may be wondering about the status of star forward Mallory Swanson, who is listed on the roster but will be away from the club for the time being due to personal matters. Stars head coach Lorne Donaldson called her status a “week-to-week thing.”

“We just have to just give her space and let whatever happen, happen. We can’t do much about her situation right now, because that’s her space right now. We just want her to be happy and the club is behind her and we just hope for everything, all the best,” Donaldson said in the team’s press conference Wednesday.

Notable offseason additions for the Stars include defender Justina Gaynor, a former Michigan State standout who initially impressed the team at a combine which led to a preseason invite and later a full contract. Midfielders Manaka Hayashi and Maitane, along with forward Micayla Johnson and goalkeeper Halle Mackiewicz will also make their Stars debuts in 2025.

Defender Sam Staab is healthy and will rejoin the team after an injury last season while forward Ava Cook and defender Natalia Kuikka will both be sidelined with injuries to begin the season.

The Stars are scheduled to play their home opener against the Houston Dash on March 23 at 4 p.m.

Below is the roster broken up by position, as noted on the Stars’ website:

Goalkeepers (3): Halle Mackiewicz, Alyssa Naeher, Mackenzie Wood 

Defenders (6): Hannah Anderson, Camryn Biegalski, Justina Gaynor, Natalia Kuikka (INTL), Taylor Malham, Sam Staab 

Midfielders (8): Chardonnay Curran, Bea Franklin, Shea Groom, Julia Grosso, Manaka Hayashi (INTL), Maitane (INTL), Leilanni Nesbeth, Cari Roccaro 

Forwards (9): Jenna Bike, Ava Cook (SEI), Nádia Gomes (INTL), Sarah Griffith, Micayla Johnson, Jameese Joseph, Ludmila (INTL), Ally Schlegel, Mallory Swanson (NYR) 

Key: 

INTL – Denotes International Player  

NRI – Non-roster Invitee 

NYR – Not Yet Reported  

SEI – Season-Ending Injury