Chicago Stars sack former Reggae Girlz head coach

CHICAGO (AP):

THE CHICAGO Stars have fired coach Lorne Donaldson after winning just one of six games to start the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season.

Assistant coach Masaki Hemmi will serve as interim coach, the Stars announced yesterday.

Donaldson, who led the Jamaican national team to the knockout round at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, was in his second season with Chicago. The Stars went 10-14-2 in his first season and made the play-offs.

This season, the Stars have five losses and have scored just three goals, the fewest in the 14-team league. They’ve also allowed 14 goals, the most in the NWSL.

Chicago have been hurt by the absence of forward Mallory Swanson, who hasn’t played this season for unspecified personal reasons.

“We are grateful to Lorne Donaldson for the culture, respect and sense of self-belief he helped build within our squad,” General Manager Richard Feuz said in a statement yesterday.

“We appreciate his work and wish him the best for the future.”

The Stars visit Gotham FC on Sunday.