One of the most influential youth soccer coaches in the country is leaving the Centennial State for the Windy City.
Lorne Donaldson, president of Real Colorado and the former Jamaica head coach who famously helped lead the Reggae Girlz to an unlikely Round of 16 berth at this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, was named head coach of the NWSL’s Chicago Red Stars on Wednesday.
Donaldson, 68, takes over a team that has been in flux over the last few seasons, despite reaching the NWSL Championship in 2021.
It’s only fitting given his track record of developing some of the best female youth soccer players in the country, including U.S. women’s national team players Jaelin Howell and Sophia Smith, Donaldson will be reunited with two Coloradans who played under him at Real: Ally Schlegel (Parker) and Sami Feller (Palisade) both of whom were rookies in 2023. There’s also a chance he’ll be reunited with USWNT standout Mallory Swanson (née Pugh) if she re-signs instead of choosing free agency. Swanson is in the process of recovering from a torn patellar tendon she suffered in April during the second-to-last USWNT friendly before the World Cup.
“Lorne has a proven track record as a winning coach and an advocate for his athletes. We believe he has the experience and leadership skills to elevate our talented group of players,” Laura Ricketts, Red Stars executive chairperson, said in a club statement. “As the president of the elite youth club Real Colorado, Lorne also has deep ties to some of the finest U.S. players.”
Laura Ricketts, a co-owner of the Chicago Cubs, bought the team with a number of investors in October for a deal valued at $60 million.
“I’m excited to work with this talented team that includes some of the NWSL’s best players to turn the Chicago Red Stars into a championship club both on and off the pitch,” Donaldson said in a statement. “I look forward to partnering with Laura Ricketts and Karen Leetzow, who are committed to creating a culture of excellence and accountability. What I have most enjoyed in my career is coaching elite athletes and helping them reach and exceed their fullest potential.”
Donaldson will join Chicago ahead of the 2024 NWSL Draft, which will take place January 12. The NWSL kicks off the 2024 regular season March 16.
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