The Houston Dash suspended head coach and general manager James Clarkson on Tuesday due to an ongoing investigation to review current and historic complaints of discrimination, harassment and abuse.
The interim coach would be named soon. The National Women's Soccer League opens on Sunday with a game between Houston and the San Diego Wave.
The club received initial findings from a joint investigation by the NWSL and NWSL Players Association. The Dash will wait for the final report before making a decision.
The Dash said in a statement that their highest priority was creating and maintaining a safe and respectful work environment for their players and staff.
In a joint release, the NWSL and NWSLPA recommended that Clarkson be suspended pending the conclusion of the investigation.
The players made a promise to themselves and future generations to transform our League, not through words, but with their actions. The work continues, and we applaud players for speaking up.
The Dash has a new coach for the upcoming season. He was the academy director for Houston's MLS counterpart, the Dynamo, and the coach of the club's Premier Development League affiliate.
The North Carolina Courage fired coach Paul Riley over accusations of sexual harassment towards his players. The NWSL commissioner resigned.
The Washington Spirit fired their coach that same month after a Washington Post story claimed he created an abusive work environment for his players. The Chicago Red Stars coach resigned in November amid allegations that ranged from verbal abuse to jokes about players to improper expectations that players spend time with him beyond practice.
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