By Jeff Vorva
Correspondent
After a seven-week hiatus, the NWSL returns to action this weekend.
The league has not played any games since July 7 because of a combination of a collective bargaining-mandated break and the Summer Olympics in Paris.
The Chicago Red Stars (7-7-2) will return to action when they visit Louisville (3-6-7) at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24 at Lynn Family Stadium. The Stars will visit Angel City at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles before returning to SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview for the first time in more than two months to face Orlando at 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8.
The contest versus Orlando is being called the Welcome Home Match and will mark the return of 2024 Olympic gold medalists Alyssa Naeher and Mallory Swanson (U.S.), silver medalist Ludmila (Brazil) and Canada national team midfielder Julia Grosso.
Grosso and Ludmila signed with Chicago in July and will don the Red Stars crest for the first time at home in the match against Orlando.
Putting on a clinic
A Chicago Red Stars Match Day Clinic, presented by Wintrust, will begin at SeatGeek Stadium at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8 before the tram hosts Orlando.
Match Day Clinic attendees will have the opportunity to develop their technical soccer skills, participate in a Q&A with a Red Stars player and receive entry to the match. Parents can register their children and find more information at chicagoredstars.com/camps-clinics.
The event will offer multiple activities in the Fan Zone at SeatGeek Stadium prior to kickoff. Located in the Gate C plaza and open one hour prior to kickoff, the Fan Zone will feature special games in the Kids Korner and live music. An exclusive Red Stars scarf will be given to the first 1,000 ticketed fans who enter the stadium,
New VP
Sara Arnold has been appointed as the Red Stars vice president of corporate partnerships.
Arnold spent the past four years in Arizona working on major events, including Super Bowl LVII and the 2024 NCAA Men’s Final Four. Prior to her work in Arizona, Arnold spent 10 years with the Atlanta Braves working in corporate partnerships.