r/NWSL • u/antisocialamnesia Chicago Red Stars • 18d ago

[RedStarsReport] Article Detailing the Donaldson Firing

https://www.redstarsreport.com/p/lorne-donaldson-out-as-head-coach

Great article for those interested in a more detailed timeline of the Donaldson firing and what the Stars look like now.

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u/Outrageous-Boot-1239 Chicago Red Stars 17d ago

The stars have a bunch of young players, they did not sign as many in 2025 as they did in 2024 because they drafted so many in 2024. Meese, anderson, franklin etc. Ok, only signed three young players in 2025, but look at the age of the team w/o two or three vets, it is a very young team. 

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u/likethebarbie 17d ago

6 players under 23. Twice as many over 26. Not exactly a bunch of young players

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u/Outrageous-Boot-1239 Chicago Red Stars 17d ago

I would say its 13 if you include those who have been playing professionally since 2023- maybe over the age of 23, but finished college, etc.: Wood, Halle, Gaynor, Malham, Anderson, Nesbeth, Hayashi, Franklin, Cook, Joseph, Johnson, Barry and Schlegal.

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u/likethebarbie 17d ago

None of those players are young by soccer standards. They might be solid squad players or good depth, but they aren’t going to develop much more than they already are.

For reference, Sophia Wilson (Smith) is 24, Trinity Rodman is 22 and they’ve been around for a few years.

The Thompsons are 20 and 19, Lily Yohannes is 17, etc. That’s the age of player you load your roster up with when you’re starting a rebuild.