Lorne Donaldson on Red Stars Center Backs, Chicago vs. Chivas de Guadalajara Preview

The Chicago Red Stars need a win at home if they want to have a chance to advance further in the inaugural NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup after only taking a point in their first match over the weekend against Gotham FC.

Chicago will now be without starter Sam Staab after she tore her Achilles against Gotham, leaving the Red Stars with Hannah Anderson and Natalia Kuikka as the only healthy center backs on the roster as July nears a close.

Red Stars head coach Lorne Donaldson trusts Kuikka at center back but is open to the idea of adding another player at that spot.

“If we find somebody that can fit the bill and can come in as a center back, that's gonna help us,” Donaldson said during his weekly media availability. “If not, [Kuikka] is capable of going back inside and taking care of business. We have to sort that out within the squad.”

Donaldson praised Staab for the impact she’s had since joining in the offseason and acknowledged it won’t be easy to replace one of the best defenders in the NWSL.

“She has been one of our top players, if not a top defender in the league. She’s a big part of us, whether it's on the field or in the locker room, she's just been a joy to work with. I think players have a lot of respect for Sam, she’s enterprising every game and every practice. Culturally, she's a big part of our culture and what we do.

“She's gonna be around us, even if she's just limping around, we know she'll be here. We love to see her smile and she's going to come back, stronger and better. We can get through and we will get by, but we will miss her a lot.”

Related: Red Stars Injury Update: Sam Staab Out for Season with Torn Achilles

Chicago Red Stars vs. Chivas de Guadalajara Preview

The Red Stars will host Liga MX Femenil opposition Chivas de Guadalajara Femenil at SeatGeek Stadium on Friday night.

Chivas has only played a single match in the 2024-25 Liga MX Femenil after they finished third in the 2023-24 Apertura and fifth in the 2023-24 Clausura seasons. They lost their first Summer Cup match 2-1 against the Washington Spirit and, as the lone Liga MX Femenil side in Group D, will be anxious to at least secure a point when they travel to Bridgeview.

Cari Roccaro and Tatumn Milazzo were back in training this week after sitting out against Gotham and the Red Stars can expect most of the same players from their first Summer Cup match, sans Staab, to be available against Chivas. Mallory Swanson and Alyssa Naeher won’t be available as they’re currently competing in the Summer Olympics.

Who: Chicago Red Stars vs. Chivas de Guadalajara Femenil

When: July 26, 2024 at 7:00 PM CT.

Where: SeatGeek Stadium, Bridgeview, Illinois

What: NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, Group D, Round Two

How to Watch: Paramount+

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