Pro soccer is returning to SeatGeek Stadium with two games over the weekend after a hiatus due to the Olympics.
The Chicago Fire will make their second of three appearances in Bridgeview this season when they host DC United at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7 in an MLS battle.
The following day, the Chicago Red Stars face Orlando at 5 p.m. The Stars will welcome home Olympians Mallory Swanson and Alyssa Naeher (United States), Juia Grosso (Canada) and Ludmila (Brazil).
The Fire (6-13-8) came back from the break and tied New York City FC Aug. 24 on the road and needed late goals from Hugo Cuypers (78th minute) and Brian Gutierrez (extra time) to avoid the loss.
But on Aug. 31, however, they dropped a 4-1 decision to powerful Inter Miami CF at Soldier Field in front of 55,385. Georgios Koutsias scored the team’s lone goal in the 82nd minute.
The Red Stars (7-9-2) are sputtering after the break in NWSL play and are fighting to stay in the top eight in the league standings for the playoffs.
They opened the post-Olympic competition with a 3-1 road loss to Racing Louisville on Aug. 24 as rookie Jameese Joseph scored Chicago’s lone goal and Swanson missed the match with an illness.
They followed it up with a 2-1 loss to Angel City on Sept. 1 in Los Angeles. Bea Franklin scored the lone goal in extra time in the first half. Angel City won in extra time at the end of the game with a goal by Sydney Leroux in the 91st minute.
Coming and going
In a surprising move, the Red Stars traded second-year forward Penelope Hocking to Bay FC for cash considerations.
Hocking, who had four goals this year including goals in three consecutive games, requested to be traded to be closer to her family’s home.
The Stars signed Moroccan International player Rosella Ayane.