As the Chicago Red Stars prepare for the second half of the season, we sat down with our general manager, Richard Feuz, to review his first six months at the club. From restructuring the team, to integrating new players, Richard shares his vision, the progress made and the goals for the coming months. Discover how he plans to navigate this crucial phase that he calls: the Red Stars Renaissance.

Six months ago, you took over the soccer operations at the Chicago Red Stars. How do you see the project you’ve implemented, and why have you chosen to describe it as a “renaissance” for the club?

I’ve always said, any sports project that needs to be rebuilt almost from scratch, will take at least 1000 days to be fully rebuilt, restructured, reinforced, developed and grow. The project I have for the Chicago Red Stars is divided into five distinct phases, and we are now approaching the end of the first 200-day phase, which has focused on restructuring. For me, the term “renaissance” is crucial because it represents a renewal inspired by a history of strong performances and challenges that we can learn from. We’re not looking to erase the past but to draw inspiration from it to build an even better future. In sports, as in any transformation, it’s about redefining our goals, revisiting our methods and creating an environment where everyone pushes in the same direction to restore the club’s identity and build something sustainable, both on and off the pitch.

What are your impressions of the team’s performance during the first half of the season?

I think our recent performance might surprise most soccer fans, but for us who know what happens daily, we’re not surprised. The team works very hard every day with exceptional team spirit and with such exceptional leaders. It’s important to stay humble and keep working hard, as we know there are always areas to improve in soccer, especially as we continue developing our methodology and work on controlling the game and the tempo of matches. However, I’m particularly proud of the significant progress the team has made in such a short period, especially in terms of defensive consistency over the last couple of months, which provides a solid foundation we can continue to build on.

The young players have had a lot of playing time this season. How do you assess their performance and development?

We made strategic choices during the draft and early in the season by betting on young players, because we firmly believe in their potential and development. For us, it’s not a risk but an opportunity to prepare for the future. The coaches and I have full confidence in them, and they have responded very positively. We have to give them time, but we are confident that if they continue to work hard, they will progress and become the players we know they can be.

You added Julia Grosso and Ludmila to the roster during the summer windows. What are your expectations for their integration into the team and their impact on the second half of the season?

My priority when I arrived was to trust players already on the squad, because perhaps unlike others, I believe it’s always more valuable to build with what you have rather than immediately look for solutions elsewhere. The goal was to rebuild a culture through these individuals, many of whom had experienced difficult times last season. Aside from the trade for Sam Staab, who was a priority to bring more defensive stability, we didn’t seek to make any moves before this summer. Julia and Ludmila were specific targets with unique qualities that perfectly complement our roster. We are thrilled to have them, and I’m confident they will bring something special to the team as we approach the second half of the season.

Sam Staab is unfortunately out for the rest of the season due to injury. How do you plan to manage this situation and ensure the team’s defensive stability?

It’s a tough blow, as I place great importance on caring for individuals above all else. Seeing players like Sam Staab or Ava Cook facing long-term injuries is always heart breaking. The coaching staff and I have complete confidence in the current roster to maintain the defensive stability we’ve built over the last six months. Our goal is to continue building on this collective strength as we move forward with the season.

You’ve implemented a circular organization with the players at the center. How does this structure contribute to the club’s success and help you achieve your goals?

The circular organization we’ve implemented ensures that every member of the associates and management are aligned with the central objective: the players. They have to be the main focus of this organization. The structure has to ensure that everyone, from management to the technical staff, is focused on protecting and helping them to develop and progress. This alignment is crucial for creating an environment where the players can thrive both personally and professionally, and where we can all work together towards a common goal.

Now that the restructuring phase is about to be completed, what are the next steps for the team, and how do you envision the reconstruction phase?

As I mentioned, we are approaching the end of the first phase of our project, the restructuring phase. We are now we’re entering the reconstruction phase. This stage is about solidifying the foundations we’ve laid, making necessary adjustments over the next couple of months and ensuring that everything we’ve put in place is sustainable and robust. To ensure everything functions as intended, we will implement control indicators to monitor progress. My goal is to establish a mindset where we are all constantly questioning ourselves, always striving to do better and move the club forward. It’s a crucial moment to evaluate what works and what doesn’t, so we can refine our approach and build a strong future for the club.

You place significant emphasis on “player care.” Why is this aspect so important to you, and how does it manifest in practice?

For me, our players are not just “soccer players” but “human beings who play soccer”. They spend most of their day off the pitch, and it’s during these times that we need to ensure they feel supported and fulfilled. Good player care means trying to create the best possible conditions for them to adapt to their environment. This is what allows them to perform on the pitch. Our role is to make sure every player is in the best possible situation to succeed and be happy, both on and off the pitch.

How do you evaluate the team’s long-term growth, and what pillars do you want to establish to achieve these goals?

To ensure the team’s long-term growth, I’ve defined five essential pillars: team spirit, stability, organization/processes, a safe environment and culture. These five pillars are fundamental and complement each other to create a framework conducive to excellence. The fifth pillar, culture, naturally emerges from the strength of the first four. By focusing on these aspects every day, we can achieve our long-term goals. Excellence, victories and titles should not be seen as objectives in themselves but rather as the natural outcomes of our work and commitment to these five pillars.

What message would you like to send to the fans and partners of the Chicago Red Stars as you continue this period of renaissance?

I want to express my deepest gratitude to our fans and partners for their unwavering support. Even though our stadium isn’t the closest to the city, you continue to show up in large numbers, and that means a lot to us. We will give everything we have to proudly represent the city of Chicago, make our supporters proud, and embody that fighting spirit that is at the heart of the club’s DNA.

As we move forward, winning remains a key focus for us in the remaining matches of this season. Our goal is not just to compete but to secure victories that will hopefully lead us into the playoffs. We’re committed to doing everything we can to ensure that this team is in the best possible position to succeed.

We are also committed to being transparent about our development, our successes, and our challenges, so we can take you with us on this journey. I am confident that the future will be bright and successful for the Chicago Red Stars.