Chicago Red Stars head coach Rory Dames stepped down from his position one day after the team played in the NWSL title gameand a new report seems to be the reason why.
According to the Chicago Tribune, several former players accused Dames of verbal, emotional and racial abuse and controlling behavior in a Washington Post article published Nov. 22.
The Washington Post article alleges Dames, 48, frequently berated and humiliated players, sometimes using personal information such as their education or relationship status when criticizing players. For example, the players alleged in the story that Dames "sometimes joked that an Asian player should be smarter than she was playing" and "frequently commented to religious players about their holidays."
Several former Red Starssuch as U.S. national team forward Christen Press, forward Jen Hoy and defender Samantha Johnsonspoke on the record in the article and, in 2018, U.S. Soccer looked into the matter after Press brought up concerns about Dames in 2014. The article added that U.S. Soccer took "no apparent action" after speaking with players and that Red Stars majority owner Arnim Whisler allegedly knew of the investigation.
The NWSL Players Association issued a statement on Nov. 22 calling for systemic change in professional and youth soccer.
The full Tribune article is at www.chicagotribune.com/sports/soccer/ct-chicago-red-stars-rory-dames-20211122-zply7dergfafve3acd6jvcdvki-story.html .