Women’s soccer: After injury cut short her season, Stars' Atkinson is proving she never lost a step

Despite suffering her first major injury at the professional level, Katie Atkinson battled through and proved she remains one of the elite goalkeepers in the NWSL.

After recovering from a season-ending labral injury, the Chicago Stars goalkeeper returned to the field for the first time since April 2025, when she was still with Racing Louisville. Since reclaiming a starting spot earlier in the 2025 season, Atkinson has registered 45 saves and two shutouts in nine appearances, putting her among the top 10 in saves across the league.

"When I got my chance, I was confident, I was ready, and I just trusted in my work and the things that I had changed before my injury," she said.

Growing up in Texas, Atkinson didn't start out as a goalkeeper. She played midfield before high school, and it wasn't until she grew taller that a coach suggested she move in front of the goal. The position clicked immediately.

"I played basketball. I played on a bunch of select teams when I was younger, so I knew I had the hands for it," she said.

The transition paid off quickly, bringing her a prolific high school career. At Ursuline Academy’s varsity, she led the school to three consecutive Division titles. With her club team, Dallas Sting, she won back-to-back ECNL national championships in 2013 and 2014.

Through all of it, she never let the stakes get too heavy.

"I remember I was always the one girl that was like, 'No, I just want to have fun and play soccer,'" she said. "I just worked hard and did what I needed to do, but I never took it too seriously, and I think that's what's gotten me this far."

Her college career carried similar momentum. In 2016, Atkinson helped lead TCU to its first NCAA Tournament appearance. After three seasons as a Horned Frog, she transferred to Arkansas for her final year of eligibility, eager for a tougher challenge in SEC competition.

"That was probably one of the best decisions I've made," she said. "I was just ready for something new, and I wanted to experience the SEC. It's a whole other level."

Atkinson delivered a stellar campaign in her senior season. She posted 11 shutouts in 23 starts, logging 2,053 minutes as she helped the Razorbacks win their first conference regular-season title and reach the NCAA Tournament second round, earning All-SEC honors along the way.

Though those big-moment experiences shaped her as a goalie, the professional transition brought its own humbling moment. With her first team, the Washington Spirit, Atkinson met a lineup of elite teammates, including Andi Sullivan, Rose Lavelle and Aubrey Kingsbury.

"I remember being like, 'Oh my gosh, I can't believe this is my life,'" she said. "I learned a lot that year. It happened to be the COVID year, but I think it was a perfect spot to start out. I kept my positive attitude, knew I was enjoying it and was getting better every day. It was a really fun challenge."

The 2020 NWSL season was largely canceled due to the pandemic, delaying Atkinson's professional debut until the following year. The newly formed Racing Louisville selected her in the 2021 expansion draft, and it became the longest stop of her NWSL career.

She worked her way to the starting role and set the NWSL single-season saves record with 112 in 22 games in 2022. She was one of three finalists for NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year in 2023. Despite showing her consistency on the goal with 79 consecutive starts across the 2022-25 seasons, the team never reached the playoffs. However, she found value in the experience regardless.

"We weren't that good, but I had such a good experience," she said. "I was put into things that I was uncomfortable with, and I think when you're put into uncomfortable situations, you learn a lot."

That run of consecutive starts ended when the injury cut short her 2025 season. For Atkinson, the setback ultimately became something else.

"I'll be honest. I think that injury was one of the best things that's happened to me," she said. "I was able to prove a lot of people wrong who thought maybe I wouldn't be the same keeper that I was before."

Following her transfer to Arkansas, Atkinson said signing with Chicago was another of the best decisions she made in her soccer career, giving her a fresh start to find her rhythm after a year-long absence. During the offseason, Atkinson made the city home, going to the facility every day for rehab and working alongside goalkeeper coach Daniel Ball and Stars long-term goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who helped make the process easier.

"It's a privilege to be with (Alyssa)," Atkinson said. "She is one of the smartest and kindest people that I don't think people see on camera. She has been nothing but supportive and helpful, genuinely wanting me to be good."

Now back on the field, Atkinson believes the best of herself is still ahead.

"It's a full-circle moment," she said. "Coming back and being able to prove to people that I'm still me."