Two-Time NWSL Champion Takes the Reign From Jill Ellis
Vlatko Andonovski was introduced as the new U.S. Women’s Head Coach, making him the ninth head coach in the program’s history.
Vlatko Andonovski joins U.S. Soccer Women’s National Team with extensive coaching experience. The forty-three-year-old served as head coach during all seven seasons of the National Women’s Soccer League, where he won two championships with FC Kansas City (2014, 2015). In addition to FC Kansas City, Andonovski spent the last two years with Reign FC. He has been twice named as NWSL Coach of the Year, in 2013 and at the end of this current season.
“We are thrilled to welcome Vlatko to the U.S. Soccer family,” said Carlos Cordeiro, U.S. Soccer president. “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.”
Carlos Cordeiro, – U.S. Soccer President
ANDONOVSKI TO COACH MATCHES AGAINST SWEDEN AND COSTA RICA IN NOVEMBER
With the two final friendlies of 2019 right around the corner, Andonovski will begin immediately. He will be responsible for rosters for games against Sweden on Nov. 7 in Columbus, Ohio and Costa Rica on Nov. 10 in Jacksonville, Fla. CONCACAF Women’s World Olympic Qualifying Tournament begins at the end of January, which will be his first major competition.
“First, I want to sincerely thank U.S. Soccer President Carlos Cordeiro, our Women’s National Team General Manager Kate Markgraf and U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Earnie Stewart for this opportunity,” said Andonovski.
“It’s a huge honor and I’m very excited to get started with this group of players and staff as we work towards continued success for this program. All of the talented coaches and players that have come before have built a legendary tradition of excellence and I’m committed to working very hard to continue to move this program forward.”
Vlatko Andonovski – U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach
A native of North Macedonia, Andonovski is a former professional player who played six seasons for clubs in the Macedonian Football League. He came to the United States in 2000 when he signed with the Wichita Wings of the National Professional Soccer League and later played with the Kansas City Comets, California Cougars and Philadelphia Kixx of the Major Indoor Soccer League. He was a two-time MISL All-Star.
Fun Facts:
- Andonovski follows Mike Ryan (1985), Anson Dorrance (1986-1994), Tony DiCicco (1994-1999), April Heinrichs (2000-2004), Greg Ryan (2005-2007), Pia Sundhage (2008-2011), Tom Sermanni (2012-2014) and Jill Ellis (2014-2019) as official coaches of the U.S. Women’s National Team, which has been ranked No. 1 in the world for all but a few months since 2008.
- Andonovski is the third-youngest to be named head coach of the U.S. WNT. Dorrance was 35 when he took the post in 1986. Heinrichs was 36 when she took over in 2000.
- Andonovski holds a USSF “A” License, an NSCAA Goalkeeping License and an NSCAA Premier License. In 2018, he completed the U.S. Soccer Pro License Course.
- Andonovski coached 165 games in the NWSL and compiled a record of 72-50-43 in NWSL play, including the playoffs. The number of games coached ranks first all-time in the league and the wins are tied for second all-time.
- Andonovski was born in the capital city of Skopje, North Macedonia, in the former Yugoslavia. As a player, he spent six years playing professionally in Europe with Macedonian clubs FK Rabotnički, Makedonija GP and FK Vardar, before coming to the United States to play professional indoor soccer.
- Andonovski signed with the Wichita Wings of the National Professional Soccer League in 2000 and later played for the Kansas City Comets, California Cougars and Philadelphia Kixx of the Major Indoor Soccer League. With the Comets, he was named Defender of the Year in 2002 and the team’s MVP in 2005. He was a two-time MISL All-Star.
- Andonovski is a 2008 graduate of Park University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration/management and earned a Master’s degree in coaching education with a soccer track from Ohio University in 2018.
Fun Facts from U.S. Soccer
