CHICAGO – The Chicago Stars parted ways with head coach Lorne Donaldson on Wednesday, citing the team`s disappointing performance this season. However, the timeline for naming his permanent successor remains uncertain.
General manager Richard Feuz spoke to the press on Thursday, detailing the reasons behind the dismissal of the former Jamaica national team coach, which occurred only six weeks into the 2025 NWSL season. The Stars currently sit at the bottom of the league standings with a single win from six matches, a stark contrast to the 2024 season where Donaldson guided the team to an eighth-place finish and a playoff appearance.
Feuz acknowledged Donaldson`s positive contributions but highlighted the team`s lack of on-field improvement at the start of the current campaign as a key factor.
A Decision Rooted in Performance
Donaldson was initially hired to bring stability during the club`s rebuilding phase and successfully fostered a positive team culture and confidence, according to Feuz and sources within the club. Nevertheless, the team`s poor recent form, including nine defeats in their last ten games stretching back to late 2024, led the front office to make the difficult decision.
Feuz reiterated that Donaldson brought positive energy, but stressed that professional soccer ultimately demands results. He mentioned that internal data indicated insufficient progress in crucial technical areas such as possession and game control.
The team`s offensive struggles are evident in their tally of just three goals in six matches this season. Feuz acknowledged the impact of injuries, including the absence of top scorer Mallory Swanson, but maintained that the current squad had the potential for better performance.
“We expected more progression on our team, on the way to play, on the way to control the game, on the way to be more proactive on the ball,” he said.
Interim Leadership and Coaching Search
The general manager did not provide a specific timeframe for appointing a new head coach, emphasizing the club`s intention to conduct a thorough search for the ideal candidate. He reiterated confidence in the existing coaching staff and the current roster, stating that the team`s performance in upcoming matches will influence the direction of the search.
Assistant coach Masaki Hemmi has been appointed interim head coach during the search for a permanent replacement. Feuz spoke highly of Hemmi, praising his leadership and communication abilities and describing him as a respected presence within the team.
When asked about the key attributes sought in the next head coach, Feuz highlighted the importance of character and a well-defined playing philosophy.
“In the future, we`re going to look at, first of all, bringing a tremendous human being… I think that would be the first priority of this club. Obviously, having someone with shared values, not only on the pitch, but also off the pitch, of this club, and their ambition,” Feuz said on traits he`ll look for in the next Stars coach.
“Part of it will also be the playing style and the identity that we`re going to give to this team, not only in the next couple of months, but in the next couple of years, because we want to build something with identity. We want to build something that when people will see our team playing, they`re going to they`re going to be able to say, `Okay, that`s the Stars playing, because we have a strong identity on the pitch.`”
A Rebuild Reality Check
Despite the change in coaching, Feuz remains optimistic about the season and his squad selection, believing the team can still contend for a playoff position. He reiterated the club`s long-term vision, highlighting that this is the second year under the new ownership and his second year as general manager.
“Obviously, with time in the mid and long term, we want to be sustainable. We want to build through stability and cohesion, but we also want to see progress on the pitch, and we want the best standard every single day at training in order to make sure we can also follow and build the methodology in principle we want for this team in the next couple of months and years,” Feuz said.
“We all have to take ownership also of those results, from management, to the player, staff… but there is also the other part, the data part, on showing that the team for the last couple of months, and not only from the beginning of the season, is not, in our opinion, progressing enough on the pitch, and that`s why we took this decision.”
What`s Next
The path forward for the Stars involves more than just finding a new coach; it requires securing a leader capable of maximizing the current roster`s potential, establishing a winning style, and consistently delivering results both immediately and in the future.
Donaldson`s dismissal represents a critical juncture for Chicago Stars FC. While he contributed to resetting the club`s culture, his departure highlights ongoing long-term challenges that simple rebranding cannot solve. Attracting top talent, fostering a competitive training environment, securing dedicated facilities, and consistently winning games are the true measures of progress – and the club currently remains far from achieving these vital milestones.
