Chicago Stars FC Part Ways with Head Coach Lorne Donaldson

April 30, 2025 - CHICAGO - Chicago Stars FC today announced that the club is parting ways with head coach, Lorne Donaldson. First assistant coach, Masaki Hemmi, will serve as interim head coach while the team searches for a replacement. "We are grateful to Lorne Donaldson for the culture, respect and sense of self-belief he helped build within our squad. We appreciate his work and wish him the best for the future," said Chicago Stars general manager, Richard Feuz. Donaldson joined the club in 2024, led the Stars to a 10-14-2 regular-s... Full Story

Assistant Coach Melanie Thomas to Join Minnesota Aurora FC

April 28, 2025 - CHARLOTTE, NC - Carolina Ascent FC announced today that Assistant Coach and IDP Manager Melanie Thomas will be leaving the team to join USL W-League side Minnesota Aurora FC as their lead assistant. "I'm incredibly grateful for my time with Carolina Ascent FC. Working alongside Head Coach Philip Poole and the entire staff has been an experience that has shaped me in so many meaningful ways," shared Thomas. "I'm proud of everything we've accomplished together and excited for this next chapter, knowing that my connection t... Full Story

Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report

April 28, 2025 - BASEBALL Atlantic League: The independent Atlantic League started its 2025 season this week and it again features ten teams aligned in five-team North and South divisions. After playing as the Gastonia (NC) Baseball Club last season while testing fan reactions to several potential nicknames, the team selected the Gastonia Ghost Peppers as its permanent name starting with the 2025 season. Each team will play 126 games in a two-part season through August 12, 2025. After sitting out the 2024 season, the league's Spire City G... Full Story

Courage Shock KC in Dying Minutes for First Win of 2025

April 28, 2025 - The North Carolina Courage recorded their first win of the National Women's Soccer League season with a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over the Kansas City Current in front of of 6,235 fans at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park Saturday evening. The Courage improve to 1-3-2 this season, while the previously undefeated Current drop to 5-1-0. North Carolina's victory is the first time since the infamous 5-4 Sky Blue FC - Seattle Reign FC game on July 22, 2017 in which a team has scored the game-tying goal and the ga... Full Story

• ACFC Team Captain and Defender Sarah Gorden and Interim Head Coach Sam Laity Discuss Preparation Ahead of Road Match against Washington Spirit - Angel City FC (NWSL) April 30
  
• San Diego Wave FC Announces Details for AAPI Night, Presented by Mostra Coffee - San Diego Wave FC (NWSL) April 30
  
• North Carolina Courage Appoint Dr. Ceri Bowley as Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director - North Carolina Courage (NWSL) April 30
  
• Chicago Stars FC Part Ways with Head Coach Lorne Donaldson - Chicago Stars FC (NWSL) April 30
  
• Sporting JAX teams up with adidas to unveil inaugural uniforms - Sporting Club Jacksonville (USLSL) April 29
  
• Portland Thorns FC to Host "The World's Largest Baby Shower"Presented by Bobbie on May 3 - Portland Thorns FC (NWSL) April 29
  
• RSL and URFC Staff Join Forces with Larry H. Miller Company for Jordan River Cleanup During Annual Service Week 2 - Utah Royals FC (NWSL) April 28
  
• Assistant Coach Melanie Thomas to Join Minnesota Aurora FC - Carolina Ascent FC (USLSL) April 28
  
• Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report - (NWSL) April 28
  
• Smith and Kelly Make First Starts in Brooklyn FC's Loss - Brooklyn FC (USLSL) April 28
  
• Courage Shock KC in Dying Minutes for First Win of 2025 - North Carolina Courage (NWSL) April 28
  
• Natalie Higgins Makes USL Super League Debut in Greens' Road Contest at Dallas - Lexington Sporting Club (USLSL) April 28
  
• Late Penalty Holds Racing to Physical Draw at Portland - Racing Louisville FC (NWSL) April 27
  
• Portland Thorns FC Rally Back in 3-3 Draw against Racing Louisville FC - Portland Thorns FC (NWSL) April 27
  
• A Promising Start to the Season for the Montreal Roses - Roses de Montreal FC (NSL) April 27
  
• All Today's Women's Soccer News

North Carolina Courage with possession against the Kansas City Current (Fran Stuchbury)
Women's Soccer Photo Gallery

OurSports Central provides coverage of the following independent and minor league women's soccer organizations:

Women's
Northern Super League (NSL)
National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
USL Super League (USLSL)
Women's Premier Soccer League Pro (WPSL Pro)

• Stars fire coach Lorne Donaldson after poor start to the NWSL season - NWSL New York Newsday (April 30)
  
• Stars part ways with coach Lorne Donaldson - NWSL Chicago Sun Times (April 30)
  
• Chicago Stars fire coach Lorne Donaldson amid one of the franchise's worst starts in history - NWSL Chicago Tribune (April 30)
  
• Last-place Chicago Stars fire coach Lorne Donaldson - NWSL Chicago Daily Herald (April 30)
  
• VIDEO: They'Ve Got It Covered: USL Super League Goal of the Month, April: Nominees - USLSL YouTube (April 30)
  
• VIDEO: The Perfect Touch: USL Super League Goal of the Month, April: Nominees - USLSL YouTube (April 30)
  
• The Sports Report: Clippers' (and Kings') season is one loss away from ending - NWSL Los Angeles Times (April 30)
  
• VIDEO: Can Carolina Ascent Carry Its Momentum into the Playoffs?: Super League Game Week - USLSL YouTube (April 30)
  
• Players Criticize NWSL Officiating After Tense Portland-Louisville Draw - NWSL Just Women's Sports (April 29)
  
• VIDEO: NWSL All Goals - Week 6 - NWSL YouTube (April 29)
  
• Denver council members pushing back on $70M for NWSL stadium - NWSL NewsBreak - Denver (April 29)
  
• NWSL Power Rankings: Gonzalez key to NJ/NY Gotham FC's rise - NWSL ESPN (April 28)
  
• All Today's Women's Soccer Headlines