Chicago Red Stars W vs Washington Spirit W Predicted Lineups – NWSL Women

Chicago Red Stars W host Washington Spirit W at Martin Stadium in a Group Stage clash of the 2026 NWSL Women season that already looks like a meeting of extremes. Chicago sit 16th with 17 points from 24 matches, a goal difference of -40 and just 5 wins all year, while Washington arrive in 2nd place on 43 points, with 13 wins and a positive goal difference of +10. With such a gap in the table, this fixture is crucial for the hosts’ pride and momentum, and for the visitors’ push to lock in a strong play-off seeding.

Standings and recent league form underline the contrast. Chicago’s record of 14 goals scored and 54 conceded across 24 games, combined with a form string of DLLWL, highlights a side that struggles to keep games under control, especially defensively. Washington, by contrast, have 33 goals for and only 23 against, with a form line of LWWLD and a description in the table indicating they are on track for the NWSL Women play-offs quarter-finals. Against that backdrop, predicted lineups and the expected starting lineup choices become a key talking point for how Chicago can contain Washington’s attacking threats and whether the visitors rotate or go full strength.

Head-to-head history also leans towards Washington Spirit W in recent years, but Chicago have shown they can be awkward opponents, taking points and wins in some of the latest meetings. With both sides familiar with each other’s tendencies, the tactical battle and the predicted lineups today will be central to how this contest unfolds.

Chicago Red Stars W Team News & Expected Lineups Today

No significant absences reported. With no players listed as missing or questionable, Chicago Red Stars W should have a full squad available for selection. That gives the coaching staff maximum flexibility to adjust after a difficult campaign, where the team’s form string of DLLWL and a goal difference of -40 suggest they need both defensive stability and more cutting edge in attack.

Given their struggles at the back – 54 goals conceded and only 3 clean sheets across the league campaign – the expected approach is a cautious, compact defensive block, trying to limit space for Washington’s forwards and then break quickly through pace in wide and central attacking areas. At home, Chicago have been slightly better (4 wins from 11), so an expected lineup that leans on experience in goal and defense, plus their best-known attackers, is likely.

Chicago Red Stars W Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: A. Naeher
DF: Elise Evans; S. Staab; T. Malham; Maitane López
MF: Leila Ouahabi; B. Franklin; A. Gasper; M. Hayashi
FW: M. Swanson; J. Huitema

This predicted starting lineup balances experience and youth. In goal, A. Naeher is the obvious choice from the goalkeeping pool, bringing elite shot-stopping and leadership that Chicago badly need behind a defense that has conceded an average of 2.3 goals per match. In the back line, Elise Evans and Maitane López offer versatility, while S. Staab and T. Malham provide central defensive presence and aerial ability. The emphasis will be on keeping a compact shape, especially against Washington’s transitions and wide attacks.

In midfield, Leila Ouahabi and A. Gasper are expected to operate as key links between defense and attack, with B. Franklin and M. Hayashi adding energy and ball progression. Without specific top-scorer or top-assist stats available for Chicago players, the attacking burden is projected to fall heavily on the front two: M. Swanson and J. Huitema. Both are natural attacking focal points from the squad list and are likely to be central in any counter-attacking plan. Swanson’s direct running and Huitema’s presence in the box give Chicago their best route to unsettling a Washington defense that has conceded only 23 goals in 24 games.

Washington Spirit W Team News & Expected Lineups Today

No significant absences reported. Washington Spirit W travel with a strong squad and, crucially, their standout attacker and creator T. Rodman available. With 8 goals and 4 assists in 24 league appearances, Rodman is both the top scorer and top assist provider for Washington this season, underlining her importance to any expected lineup. The team’s form line of LWWLD and a strong away record (7 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses, 18 goals scored, 10 conceded) suggest they will approach this match with confidence.

Given their position in 2nd place and the comparison indices pointing to superiority in form and defense, Washington are likely to field a strong starting lineup even if some rotation is considered. With lineups today expected to reflect their usual attacking-minded shape, the visitors should look to control possession, press selectively, and exploit Chicago’s defensive frailties, particularly in the periods where the hosts typically concede heavily.

Washington Spirit W Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: S. MacIver
DF: G. Carle; L. Di Guglielmo; E. Morgan; Kate Wiesner
MF: D. Abiodun; L. Santos; A. Sullivan; M. Ngock
FW: Ashley Hatch; T. Rodman

In goal, S. MacIver is a strong candidate from a deep goalkeeping group, fitting an away setup that values composure and distribution. The predicted back four of G. Carle, L. Di Guglielmo, E. Morgan, and Kate Wiesner offers a blend of defensive solidity and width. Washington’s league numbers – just 23 goals conceded and 9 clean sheets – point to a back line that is well-organised and capable of handling pressure, especially against a Chicago side that averages only 0.6 goals per game.

Midfield is where Washington can dominate. D. Abiodun and L. Santos provide ball-winning and passing range, while A. Sullivan adds control and tactical discipline despite featuring in the top red card statistics, which hints at her combative style. M. Ngock offers mobility and support between the lines. Ahead of them, the front pairing of Ashley Hatch and T. Rodman gives Washington a potent mix: Hatch as a penalty-box finisher and reference point, Rodman as the primary creator and scorer. Rodman’s 8 goals, 4 assists, 56 shots (24 on target) and 23 key passes underline her status as the central attacking threat in any predicted lineup, and Chicago’s defense will likely be built around trying to limit her influence.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

With no injuries or suspensions reported for either side, the impact of absences on this match is minimal. Both coaches can select from their full squads, making tactical choices and form the decisive factors rather than enforced changes. That particularly benefits Washington Spirit W, who can lean on their star performers and preferred structure, and leaves Chicago Red Stars W without any external excuses as they try to engineer an upset.

Chicago Red Stars W Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Washington Spirit W Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

Tactically, this matchup pits a struggling, defense-first home side against a confident, possession-oriented visitor. Chicago’s predicted starting lineup suggests a conservative approach: an experienced goalkeeper, a back four designed to sit relatively deep, and a midfield tasked with screening central spaces. Their season numbers show they concede heavily in the 46–60 and 61–75 minute windows, so game management around half-time will be crucial. Expect Chicago to keep their block narrow, force Washington wide, and then rely on the pace and movement of M. Swanson and J. Huitema to attack quickly once they regain possession.

Washington Spirit W, by contrast, can afford to be proactive. Their comparison indices show a clear edge in form and especially defense, while their league attacking metrics (1.4 goals per game overall, 1.5 away) and strong away record point to a side comfortable dictating play on the road. With T. Rodman as both top scorer and top assister, Washington will look to overload the right and central channels, combining her with Ashley Hatch’s movement in the box. The midfield trio of D. Abiodun, L. Santos, and A. Sullivan should give them control in central areas, allowing full-backs like G. Carle and Kate Wiesner to advance and pin Chicago back. The key duel will be whether Chicago’s defensive line and double screen can prevent Rodman from receiving in dangerous pockets between the lines.

Match Prediction and Verdict

Stats suggest Washington Spirit W are clear favourites. The predictions model gives Chicago Red Stars W just a 10% chance to win, with a 45% probability each for a draw and an away victory. The comparison indices back that up, with an overall comparison index of 33.5 for Chicago versus 66.5 for Washington, and a Poisson index of 17 vs 83, again heavily favouring the visitors. Standings reinforce the picture: 16th versus 2nd, -40 goal difference against +10, and a Chicago side that has failed to score in two-thirds of their matches.

Pre-match odds are aligned with this view. Away prices range from 1.22 to 1.30 across major bookmakers, implying an away win probability roughly in the 77–82% band. Home odds between 7.70 and 9.20 translate to around 11–13% implied probability, very close to the 10% win chance from the prediction model. With both squads at full strength, Washington’s superior form, defensive solidity, and the individual quality of T. Rodman and Ashley Hatch should be enough to overcome Chicago’s home advantage. Given the goals fields in the prediction data are not numerical, the safest projected scoreline consistent with the probabilities and Washington’s away scoring rate is a narrow but controlled away win.

Predicted Outcome: Chicago Red Stars W 0–1 Washington Spirit W

How to Watch Chicago Red Stars W vs Washington Spirit W Worldwide

Here is how you can watch the match and see the official lineups today live:

• Spain: Local sports broadcaster / streaming platform
• UK: Major sports network or official NWSL streaming partner
• USA / North America: National sports channel or NWSL digital platform
• South America: Regional sports broadcaster with NWSL rights
• MENA: Pan-regional sports network or affiliated streaming service