Thanks for reading: Support Women’s Sports is a fan-written and centered newsletter. It is the next step of a project I started in 2010 to elevate women’s sports stories and athletes. I am a full-time feminist creator and your support of this newsletter, both as a subscriber and member, helps me devote more space in my day for more content. Support this work by forwarding this newsletter to a few friends. Thanks.
— Veronica
Chicago Stars win one at home!
THEY DID IT! The Chicago Stars came back from the World Cup break and WON! Against the 3rd place Utah Royals! And it was my first time at the new Lakefront pitch. Let’s get into the game and the stadium.
Mal Swanson: Mal was a delight to watch. I’m sure, as a mom myself, she is still working to get herself back to where she thinks she needs to be, but goodness, her speed! I’ve only ever been that fast on roller skates. She was all over the place and drawing defenders. Which is why we have always needed more than one, if not more than two offensive threats. All three goals scored yesterday were by Huitema (2) and Staab, but Mal had a direct or indirect hand in all of them.
Briana Pinto: HUSTLE. We have an imaginably terrible goal differential (-18), but we did chip away at it! And I want to credit Pinto with that one tick because she was everywhere.
Reminder that goal differential is the difference between goals scored and goals allowed. We are the only team with a double digit negative differential.
Jordyn Huitema: A beautiful brace yesterday! I dunno why scoring two goals in one game is called a brace, but Sports Illustrated says it comes from an old hunting term of bringing home two of whatever (rabbits, pheasants, etc). They also say it could be from the French where brace means a pair of arms. ANY WAY… Huitema scored that second goal with a bloody nose and something, most likely a tampon, up her nose. Trading for her earlier this season paid off yesterday. Let’s hope it keeps paying off. We have a lot of goals to score to bring that differential down.
Lakefront Stadium: Getting there was easy peasy for this Northsider. A world of difference between getting down to Bridgeview. That said, the parking on the Northwestern campus is notorious confusing (even when I go there for non-sporty things) so definitely build in time for a nice stroll along the campus.
And it is a beautiful view! It was still pretty foggy when we arrived, but the walk back provided a great view of the city. Northwestern is a beautiful campus.
Now here is where things get sticky. Our seats were behind the north goal. I sat in the third row (but labeled row 8) and it was an obstructive view. There are these big poles, between the goal posts for a time clock. A clock soccer matches don’t need cause there are plenty of other clocks. But obviously great if you are QB. Def sit higher up and not full dead center. Restrooms are all port-a-potties, but there are some of the VIP versions for anyone to use. Taco truck! The south and north stands are not built for the long haul, so they are scaffolding-like and I def felt like I was climbing to make sure my key of a sister isn’t tossed into the abyss in order to start an apocalypse. That’s a Buffy joke if you didn’t get it. You are welcome. Overall, love the geographic location, the actual location has some work to do if this is our long-term home.
THAT SAID — The Stars and the Fire MUST end this nonsense and come to a fair partnership on the new stadium. MUST. I’ve been to the Louisville stadium and there is ZERO reason, except greed and sexism, for us to not have the same beautiful stadium that uplifts both teams. The Fire is building it. They need to make space for the Stars in their clubhouse.
What’s next: The Stars head to Rhode Island to take on the Boston Legacy (talk about stadium woes), where we will duke it out to be dead last of the table (aka standings).
More WNBA All-Star Events
or activations. Basically things happening around the WNBA All-Star game that is not the All-Star Game.
Off The Dribble and Clubhouse Buckets Cousins Camp
Off the Dribble has their own guide to WNBA ASW.
DJ Kidd Swag and DJ Ca$h Era are throwing a game day watch party and afterparty.
Off The Court: Slim on details, but sharing so when we know more, we can act on it.
Women Rooted in the Game: An evening where basketball, breath, and creativity come together. Register here. Note this event happens on Friday, July 17th, the weekend BEFORE the WNBA ASW.
The Lesbian Social Club is throwing a beach party! Saturday, July 25th from 4 pm - 9 pm.
Reminders:
Togethxr, the brand that brought us the ubiquitous “Everyone Watches Women’s Sports” tee is throwing a house party. July 24-25, 2026 at 113 N Elizabeth St, Chicago, IL 60607
Vox Media is bringing us THREE live podcast tapings on Friday. Sue Bird (sold out!), ANDMOM, and Megan Rapinoe. These are paid ticketed events.
Yes, ya girl has tickets to both Sue and Megan.
Just Women’s Sports has a pre-game event at Bottom Lounge at 2 PM
In other news
This weekend there is a Women’s Elite Rugby fan boycott to be in solidarity with trans rugby players. They are asking for no tickets be purchased, no streaming of games, no support for the WER.
Skylar has been benched. She’s taken to her stories to let is be known that she has been good and quiet. Pop the popcorn, folks, cause this is heating up.
The Sky are in Phoenix tomorrow night.
Stay tuned. Normally this would be THE lead, but y’all, I’m just one fan here writing while working. Plus maybe more will be revealed soon.
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Thank you,
veronica