Chicago Red Stars have added Masaki Hemmi as assistant coach for the club. Hemmi will join head coach, Lorne Donaldson, and the rest of the coaching staff at the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Draft taking place in Anaheim, California, Friday, January 12, at 5 p.m. PT.  

“We’re very excited to welcome Masaki to our coaching staff this season,” said Red Stars president, Karen Leetzow. “His prior experience working hand in hand with our head coach, Lorne Donaldson, and coaching at various levels in the United States and Japan will be invaluable for our team and players.”  

“I’m ecstatic to join the Chicago Red Stars and getting started,” said Hemmi. “I will give everything I have for this organization and for our players to be successful. We have a big year ahead of us.” 

Hemmi joins the Red Stars from the United Soccer League club, New Mexico United, where he served as director of player personnel and first assistant coach. Hemmi also served as recruiting coordinator and assistant coach at the University of Denver. In 2021, Hemmi joined Japanese side, INAC Kobe of the WE League, as associate head coach to help players prepare for the Tokyo Olympics.  

Red Stars fans can watch the first two rounds of the NWSL Draft broadcasted on ION beginning at 5 p.m. CT/3 p.m. PT and streamed on ION Plus.