FROM A PRESS RELEASE
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill.The Chicago Red Stars of Women's Professional Soccer have introduced Omid Namazi as its new head coach, according to an organizational press release. Namazi is now the team's second full-time head coach, succeeding Emma Hayes, who coached during Chicago's inaugural 2009 season and the first six WPS matches of 2010.
Red Stars President and General Manager Marcia McDermott, who coached the team for one match May 29a 1-0 win over first-place FC Gold Pridewill pass the torch to Namazi June 6, when Chicago hosts the Atlanta Beat at 5 p.m. ( televised on Fox Soccer Channel ) .
Namazi last coached in the women's game when he was the head coach of the San Diego Spirit of the Women's United Soccer Association. In his 2003 season with the Spirit, he led the squad to its only postseason appearance.
"Omid established himself as a winner in the WUSA with San Diego, and he has demonstrated a winning track record throughout his coaching tenure," McDermott said. "We are committed to making a run for the playoffs this season. The team has been very professional and is in a good position to push forward."
Namazi hopes to turn around Chicago's season by bringing cohesiveness and a winning demeanor to the team.
"This is a talented group, but talent alone is not always going to be enough," Namazi said. "There need to be other elements to the teamgood leadership, commitment to winning and commitment to doing everything in order to get the W's. And I think that's an area where I can bring some leadership to the team."
Though Namazi's WUSA tenure was brief, he was part of a strong group that included 2003 Defensive Player of the Year Joy Fawcett, Julie Foudy, Shannon MacMillan and Aly Wagner.
In November 2009, Namazi founded ON3 Soccer, a soccer academy based in the Tri-State region of New Jersey and Philadelphia. ON3 Soccer includes an academy program; year-round training; summer and holiday camps; and coaching clinics.