Chicago Stars FC Extend Jameese Joseph, Place Alyssa Naeher on 45-day Injury List, and Make Several Other Moves

It’s officially transfer season in the NWSL, and Chicago Stars FC made a bunch of internal moves to set themselves up for the remainder of the 2025 season.

Chicago first announced that they have signed forward Jameese Joseph to a contract extension through the 2028 NWSL season with a mutual option for 2029. The team then placed Joseph, along with starting goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, on the 45-day injury list retroactive to May 24.

Joseph has been a revelation for Chicago since they selected her in the second round of the 2024 NWSL draft. The winger has proven her worth and then some in the NWSL and should be a major part of Chicago Stars’ future plans, considering her ten-goal contributions in all competitions since turning pro.

Neither Joseph nor Naeher have appeared for Chicago since they lost 3-1 to the Kansas City Current on May 24.

Chicago also announced that they are extending winger Nádia Gomes’ contract until July 31 and goalkeeper Stephanie Sparkowski’s roster relief contract until July 29. Gomes has appeared in 19 contests for Chicago in all competitions over the last two seasons, while Sparkowski has yet to make an appearance in the NWSL.

Chicago then said goodbye to two rookies as they came to an agreement to mutually terminate defender Justina Gaynor’s contract while also opting not to re-sign Catherine Barry, whose contract expired on June 30. Gaynor appeared twice for Chicago, and Barry made four cameos off the bench for the Stars.

Chicago Stars FC’s upcoming free agent class was also announced by the NWSLPA. Camryn Biegalski, Ava Cook. Chardonnay Curran, Alyssa Naeher, Halle Mackiewicz, Bea Franklin, Shea Groom, Cari Roccaro, and Ally Schlegel are slated to be free agents once the 2025 season concludes, though they are presently allowed to begin negotiating with new teams for next season.