In a time of upheaval, the Red Stars awaits a playoff game

CHICAGO — The last time they took the field, they pulled off a win at SeatGeek Stadium that kept their NWSL playoff streak alive.

Since then, however, the attention of the Chicago Red Stars and every team in the league has turned to a different reckoning, which has come thanks to the release of the Yates report the next day.

Owner Armin Whisler, whom the report criticized for handling abuse allegations against former manager Rory Dames, initially withdrew from day-to-day running of the club before being removed from the board.

Many are urging him to sell the Red Stars and the club said in a statement: “The board wish to help facilitate a sale of Arnim’s stake in a timely process that is both prudent and once completed Red Stars players , trainers, and front office workers into a brighter future.”

On Monday of this past week, Red Stars players have spoken out publicly on social media for the first time since the report was published. They are “incredibly sad, angry and appalled by the reprehensible findings of the Sally Yates report.”

At the same time, players credited the club’s moves to remove Whisler from the board.

“We have confidence in the ability of our board to steer this club in a direction that is mutually beneficial for players, investors and our fans,” the players said in a statement.

That was the start of a week in which the Red Stars would begin their quest for their first NWSL title while continuing what has become a franchise tradition: making the playoffs.

A home win over Angel City FC on 2 October saw the club qualify for their seventh straight post-season as the sixth seedling. They meet third-placed San Diego Wave FC at 9 p.m. Central Time on Sunday night.

They’ve been able to do this, despite a number of injuries and national team absences, alongside a group of young players who are making their debut in professional football. Under first-year coach Chris Petrucelli, the club finished with a 9-7-6 record to keep their playoff streak alive.

If they can pull off a win, they’ll advance to the NWSL Semifinals against the Thorns next Sunday at 4:00 p.m. Central Time in Portland.