Chicago Stars Stun Utah Royals, End Franchise-Record Unbeaten Run

FolioPitch.com – 06 July 2026 | In a thrilling encounter at SeatGeek Stadium, the Chicago Stars pulled off a stunning 3-2 victory over the Utah Royals on Sunday, snapping Utah’s historic 10-game unbeaten streak. The win marked just the fourth of the season for Chicago, but it was a statement performance that showcased resilience and individual brilliance.

The match began with Chicago taking the initiative. In the 20th minute, striker Jordyn Huitema opened the scoring, sliding home a precise cross from Brianna Pinto. Huitema, acquired in a preseason trade with the Reign, demonstrated her poacher’s instinct to give the Stars an early lead. However, Utah responded before halftime, as Canadian international Cloé Lacasse unleashed a powerful strike to level the scores at 1-1.

The second half saw the Royals seize the momentum. In the 54th minute, Cece Delzer converted a penalty after a VAR review for a handball in the box, putting Utah ahead 2-1. But Chicago refused to buckle. Just five minutes later, centerback Sam Staab produced a moment of magic, curling a direct free kick over the wall and into the top corner. The goal was only the second direct free kick in Chicago Stars history—both scored by Staab—and it brought the home crowd to its feet.

The turning point came in the 86th minute. From a corner kick, Jordyn Huitema rose highest to head home her second goal of the match, securing her first brace as a Star and a dramatic 3-2 victory. The win not only ended Utah’s 10-game unbeaten streak but also injected new life into Chicago’s playoff hopes.

The Chicago breaks Utah’s 10-game unbeaten streak narrative dominated post-match discussions. Utah had been on a franchise-record run, but Chicago’s determination and tactical adjustments proved decisive. Head coach Chris Petrucelli praised his team’s fighting spirit: ‘We knew they were on a great run, but we believed in our game plan. The players executed brilliantly, especially in the second half.’

For Utah, the loss was a rare blemish on an otherwise stellar season. They remain among the top teams in the standings with 24 points, while Chicago climbs to 14th place with 12 points, now just five points out of playoff contention. The Chicago breaks Utah’s 10-game unbeaten streak result could be a catalyst for the Stars, who have struggled for consistency all season.

The match was a showcase of individual talent. Jordyn Huitema’s brace was her first goals for Chicago, and she credited her teammates for creating opportunities. Sam Staab’s free kick was a thing of beauty, earning praise from fans and pundits alike. On the Utah side, Cloé Lacasse and Cece Delzer continued their strong campaigns, but it wasn’t enough to preserve the streak.

Looking ahead, Chicago will aim to build on this momentum when they face the Washington Spirit next weekend. For Utah, the task is to regroup and start a new unbeaten run. This Chicago breaks Utah’s 10-game unbeaten streak outcome serves as a reminder that in the NWSL, any team can beat any other on a given day.

As the final whistle blew, the Stars celebrated a victory that felt like a turning point. The fans roared their approval, knowing they had witnessed a classic. The Chicago breaks Utah’s 10-game unbeaten streak story will be remembered as one of the highlights of the 2026 NWSL season.