March 23 vs. Seattle Reign FC

For 26 years, Marie has been dedicated to empowering young athletes and advancing girls' soccer in Chicago. In 1997, she founded Chicago Lakefront Soccer Club, which grew into the city's largest girls' soccer club. She appointed Nick Mulvaney as Director of Coaching, who later rebranded the club into the renowned Chicago City Soccer Club. Though she now works behind the scenes, overseeing HR and billing, Marie remains a key figure on the board, ensuring the club’s continued success.

Marie’s dedication, kindness, and hard work embody the spirit of soccer in the community. After over two decades, she remains a true inspiration to everyone in Chicago’s soccer scene.

April 27 vs. Portland Thorns

Meghan Morgan is the Executive Director of Girls in the Game, where she has been dedicated to empowering girls through sports, health, and leadership programs since 2008. Starting as Development Director, she later served as Chief Operating Officer before becoming Executive Director in 2016. Morgan works closely with the board and senior staff to drive strategic growth, expand program reach, and strengthen community partnerships, including collaborations with the Chicago Park District.

A proud feminist and advocate for social justice, Morgan is passionate about ensuring all girls have equal opportunities to succeed. She also serves on several leadership councils and spends her free time encouraging her children, Patrick and Jane, to embrace sports and lead healthy, confident lives.

May 1 vs. Washington Spirit

Karleen joined Good Sports in 2019 as Senior Director of Fundraising & Business Development. Karleen has been in the nonprofit space for her entire professional career, prior to Good Sports, she worked at Playworks. Karleen attended Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts where she received her degree in Business Management. During her free time, she enjoys watching sports, traveling, reading, and spending time with her family.

May 12 vs. Utah Royals FC

As co-founder of Mutts of the Midway, Ashley has been instrumental in helping over 1,500 dogs find health and happiness since 2018. She is the heart of the organization, creating an open and welcoming environment where anyone who loves dogs can get involved. Over the past decade, Ashley has personally fostered more than 350 dogs, showing her unwavering commitment to improving the lives of animals in need.

Beyond her work with Mutts of the Midway, Ashley is always striving to make her community better. Whether she’s helping a homeless dog, uplifting friends and family with positivity, or simply adding fun to someone’s day, her impact is deeply felt. Those lucky enough to call her wife or mom know firsthand how much brighter the world is with her in it.

June 8 vs. Bay FC

Maybelle Blair, born in Inglewood, California, made her mark as a talented pitcher in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) with the Peoria Redwings in 1948. After her sports career, Blair attended Compton Junior College and the Los Angeles School of Physiotherapy, eventually working for 37 years at Northrop Corporation, where she became one of the company’s three female managers.

After retiring, Blair served as vice president of the Center for Extended Learning for Seniors (CELS) and actively contributed to the AAGPBL Players Association, helping establish the "Women in Baseball" exhibit at the Baseball Hall of Fame and co-founding the International Women's Baseball Center (IWBC) in Rockford, Illinois. In 2022, she publicly came out as a lesbian while promoting the TV series “A League of Their Own”, sharing her journey after decades of hiding her identity. Blair’s legacy continues to inspire future generations, championing women in sports and LGBTQ+ visibility.

July 6 vs. Houston Dash

Nora began showing signs of anxiety and OCD in kindergarten, later diagnosed with PANS, an autoimmune disease triggered by a previous pneumonia infection. Her treatment included tonsil and adenoid removal and a supplement regimen to reduce inflammation.

Soccer has played a key role in managing her symptoms. Regular exercise helps reduce her inflammation, and attending Chicago Red Stars games brings her joy. Nora plays on both boys' and girls' teams with Chicago City Soccer Club, and soccer has been vital in her progress. Since her surgery, her anxiety has decreased, and she no longer experiences OCD symptoms. We hope more awareness is raised about PANS/PANDAS, as early diagnosis and treatment can benefit many children facing similar challenges.

September 21 vs. San Diego Wave FC

Fredelyn Calla, a second-generation Filipina-American, is a licensed clinical professional counselor and board-certified art therapist who has been a vital member of Gilda’s Club Chicago's mental health team since 2007.

Since 2008, Fredelyn has facilitated the bimonthly Living with Ovarian Cancer Support Group, along with a general Living with Cancer Support Group and a Metastatic Breast Cancer Support Group. She exemplifies Gilda’s Club’s mission by providing unwavering support to individuals living with cancer and their caregivers.

In addition to her work at Gilda’s Club, Fredelyn is the owner of Kapwa Art Therapy and Counseling in Chicago, offering therapy to Asian, Asian-American, and Filipino-identified adults. She also serves as a part-time lecturer in art therapy at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Benedictine University.

September 29 vs. North Carolina Courage

Sarai Guerrero serves as a vital connector between the community, business owners, non-profits, and the City of Chicago in Little Village. Through building strong relationships with chamber members, local officials, stakeholders, and community partners, she plays a key role in fostering collaboration and leading impactful initiatives that empower the community and uplift small businesses in the area.

As the Director of Events & Memberships at the Little Village Chamber of Commerce, Sarai and her team bridge resources and opportunities, driving positive change and supporting growth in Little Village.

October 12 vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC

Jennifer is a beacon of hope for women across the country. A survivor of trauma and abuse, she has turned her story into a mission through her nonprofit organization, &Rise. The organization offers free mental health services, support groups, career development, financial education workshops, and inspiring events designed to empower women to overcome adversity and reach their full potential. To date, &Rise has impacted thousands of women, with Jennifer personally helping over 70 women graduate from her counseling program and serving 150 women monthly through support groups.

Beginning her journey by starting the first &Rise support group in her living room, Jennifer's efforts have led to the organization serving 3,879 women through support groups and 4,764 through special events. This year, she launched consent culture workshops in Chicago Public Schools, educating 382 children on how to protect themselves from sexual abuse. Her leadership exemplifies a deep commitment to helping others and expanding opportunities for women and children alike.