Chicago Stars FC Part Ways with Head Coach Lorne Donaldson After Slow Start to 2025 Season

Former Reggae Girlz head coach Lorne Donaldson has been relieved of his duties as head coach of Chicago Stars FC, the club announced on Wednesday. The decision comes after a disappointing 1-5-0 start to the 2025 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season, which sees the Stars languishing in 14th place.

Donaldson, who took the reins in 2024, helped orchestrate a remarkable turnaround in his first season. Under his leadership, the Stars rebounded from a last-place finish in 2023 to post a 10-14-2 record and qualify for the NWSL playoffs — a feat few predicted. Despite that success, the club has struggled to find form this season, prompting a change at the helm.

“We are grateful to Lorne Donaldson for the culture, respect and sense of self-belief he helped build within our squad,” said Chicago Stars general manager Richard Feuz in a statement. “We appreciate his work and wish him the best for the future.”

Donaldson is best known for his historic stint with Jamaica’s Women’s National Team, guiding the Reggae Girlz to the knockout rounds of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup — a first for any Caribbean nation.

In the interim, assistant coach Masaki Hemmi has been named as the Stars’ head coach. Hemmi, who joined the club from USL outfit New Mexico United, brings a wealth of experience, including a stint with Japan’s INAC Kobe of the WE League, where he helped prepare players for the Tokyo Olympics.

Hemmi will lead the technical team alongside assistants Ella Masar, Karina Báez, and Brenton Saylor as the organization seeks stability and a new long-term leader.

The club expressed its appreciation to Donaldson for his contributions and wished him well in future endeavours.