Masaki Hemmi

is a Japanese former footballer who is the head coach of Lexington SC.

Early life Hemmi was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan and moved to Carlsbad, New Mexico when he was 16 years old. He played collegiate soccer at Colorado School of Mines for two seasons before transferring to the University of New Mexico in his junior year. After retiring from playing soccer, Hemmi returned to Colorado to finish his degree and began coaching a youth club, Real Colorado, in Denver.

Coaching career

INAC Kobe, 2021 In 2021, Hemmi worked one season as the associate head coach for INAC Kobe of the Japanese Professional Women's Soccer League (WE League) in the lead-up to the Tokyo Olympics.

New Mexico United, 2022–2023 Hemmi served as first assistant coach and director of player personnel with the United Soccer League (USL) club New Mexico United.

Chicago Stars FC, 2024–2025 In January 2024, the Chicago Red Stars (later named Chicago Stars FC) announced the hired Hemmi as an assistant coach under head coach Lorne Donaldson. In late April 2025, Hemmi became Chicago's interim head coach following the firing of Donaldson. In his first game in charge of the Stars, He piloted the team to a 0–0 draw with NJ/NY Gotham FC, snapping a two-game losing streak. Hemmi's tenure as interim coach lasted until July 1, 2025, at which point he left the position to pursue other opportunities.

Lexington SC, 2025 Hemmi was named head coach for USL Super League club Lexington SC on July 3, 2025.

Lexington SC, 2025–

On 9 December 2025, Hemmi was reassigned to Lexington SC, as Kosuke Kimura was promoted to head coach of Lexington SC Women.