Chicago Stars Will Return to Northwestern Lakeside Stadium Next Year
The NWSL club originally sought to play in the new Ryan Field.
The Chicago Stars women's soccer team has decided to return to Northwestern University's 12,000-seat Lakeside Stadium next year, following their season-long move to the facility last September. The Stars, who currently sit at the bottom of the NWSL with a 5-15-1 record, played their first match at Martin Stadium before officially relocating for the upcoming season.
The team last season had an average attendance of 4,316 fans per home match, which is one of the lowest in the league. In a bid to boost season ticket sales, the Stars announced they will open deposits for next year later on Tuesday. The team's move to the lakefront venue has been met with mixed reactions from local residents, who have expressed concerns about private events at the stadium.
Northwestern football is set to play its first game at the new Ryan Field on October 2nd, while the Stars have been playing at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Ill. Season ticket sales for the Stars have increased by 31% from last year, despite their poor on-field performance. The team recently fired coach Martin Sjögren and promoted assistant Karina Báez for the remainder of the season.
Báez believes the windy conditions by the lake contribute to the team's home field advantage. Northwestern has long described Martin Stadium as a temporary solution while the new $875 million football stadium is under construction. The Stars had initially wanted to play at the new venue but abandoned those plans due to local opposition.
The Stars' goal is to eventually move into Ryan Field, but they plan to wait until after the new stadium opens in October.
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