Vlatko Andonovski named U.S. Women’s National Team coach

U.S. Soccer has named Vlatko Andonovski as the new head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team. Andonovski spent seven successful seasons in the NWSL, leading FC Kansas City to two championships and has received his second NWSL Coach of the Year (2013,2019).

”We are thrilled to welcome Vlatko to the U.S. Soccer family,” said U.S. Soccer president Carlos Cordeiro via press release. “As one of the most accomplished coaches in the NWSL history, he’s proven he can help world-class players reach their peak, inspire his teams and win championships. He is widely respected by players and leaders across our soccer community, and he has the work ethic and winning mentality to guide the greatest women’s soccer program in history into their next era of success.”

“From the moment I came aboard, the main focus has been on hiring a new U.S. Women’s National Team coach,” said U.S. Women’s National Team general manager Markgraf, who lead the coaching search. “We identified the qualities we thought were most important for this unique position, we talked to quite a few people in the women’s soccer community domestically and around the world, and in the end, Vlatko was the best fit with his experience with elite players, how he sees the game, how he coaches the game and manages players, and his overall personality and ability to take on a job of this magnitude. I know all the players and staff are excited to begin this new chapter in Women’s National Team history with him and start the important work towards qualifying for the Olympics.”

Andonovski not only coached in the NWSL with FC Kansas City and Reign FC but was also led the Kansas City Comets to an indoor soccer championship and several youth teams to nationals as well.

The new head coach will not have much time to rest as he will need to choose a roster for U.S. Soccer last two games of 2019 against Sweden on Nov. 7 in Columbus, Ohio and Costa Rica on Nov. 10 in Jacksonville, Fla.

Andonovski’s first real test will be to qualify for the Olympics. Concacaf Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament will take place at the end of January and beginning of February of 2020.