This unusual season for the Chicago Stars continues to confound as the team moved on to its third coach of the season.
Interim head coach Masaki Hemmi, who replaced Lorne Donaldson in April, is leaving the Stars for other opportunities and assistant coach Ella Masar will take over as the new interim coach.
“I’m incredibly grateful for my time with the Chicago Stars and the opportunity to work alongside such talented players and staff,” Hemmi said in a statement. “While it’s bittersweet to be leaving, the club has a bright future ahead. I’ll forever be thankful for the time I had with Chicago Stars FC.”
Hemmi inherited a 1-5-0 team that was in 14th place — last — in the NWSL. In his brief stint with the Stars, he didn’t register a win but the team’s 0-4-3 mark helped move the Stars into 13th place.
“We thank Masaki Hemmi for stepping up as interim head coach and working tirelessly to bring out the best in our players,” general manager, Richard Feuz said in a statement. “While we are grateful for his time and dedication to the club, we fully support him taking the next step in his coaching career. We wish him much success as he pursues this exciting opportunity.”
The Stars’ search for a coach continues.
“We are well underway in our thorough head coaching search,” Stars president Karen Leetzow said in a statement. “We have narrowed down the candidate pool and expect to appoint a new head coach soon. While we have a lot of building ahead, we look forward to turning the page to the second half of our season and starting a new chapter for the team.”
Masar begins her second stint as interim head coach for the club, having previously served in that role at the end of the 2023 season.
Masar has spent more than two decades in professional soccer as a player and coach, joining the Stars as an assistant coach in 2023.
Before diving back into NWSL season, Masar and the Stars participate in the four-team Teal Rising Cup July 12-15 in Kansas City. They play Corinthians SC at 4:30 p.m. and either the Kansas City Current or Palmeiras on July 15 at CPKC Stadium.
Stars make roster moves
The Stars agreed to a contract extension with forward Jameese Joseph through 2028 with a mutual option for 2029, and also placed her on the 45-day injury list retroactive to May 24. Goalie Alyssa Naeher is also on the 45-day injury list retroactive to May 24.
The team extended Nadia Gomes’ short-term contract to July 31 and goalie Stephanie Sparkowski’s roster relief contract to July 29.
The Stars also chose not to renew the contract of forward Catherine Barry and agreed with defender Justina Gaynor to mutually terminate her contract.
Fire report
The Chicago Fire dropped a 2-1 MLS decision to FC Cincinnati on July 5 at TQL Stadium.
The Fire (8-8-4) were led by scoring machine Philip Zinckernagel, who scored his ninth goal of the season in the 55th minute.
Chicago hosts San Diego at 7:30 p.m. July 12 at Soldier Field.
The Fire II have stayed unbeaten in nine straight matches.
They tied Crown Legacy FC 1-1 on June 30 in an MLS NEXT Pro battle at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview. Dylan Borso scored the lone goal for the Fire. The team picked up an additional point winning in penalty kicks.
On July 5, the Fire II (8-4-4) won a road game over Chattanooga, 1-0, as Jason Shokalook scored his fifth goal of the season in the 52nd minute and goalie Patrick Los notched the shutout.
The Fire II host New England at 1 p.m. July 13 at SeatGeek Stadium.
Honors for Racki, Sandle
Nazareth football coach Tim Racki is a finalist for National High School Coach of the Year as presented by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association.
Windy City ThunderBolts outfielder Michael Sandle was named Frontier League Player of the Week for the week that ended June 29. He hit .579 with two home runs and six RBIs with three stolen bases as the team went 5-1.