Vlatko andonovski is the United States' head coach for women's soccer. He is a former football player and a Macedonian. He is the second man to head the team and the first since Pia Sundhage in 2000. He has both experience as a coach for the women's and men's national teams.
Andonovski became the first woman to coach the national women's soccer team.
Andonovski is a new face in the women's soccer coaching world. He fits the new coach/player model more closely than Ellis did. His style of play is more direct and resonates with the players than Ellis'. He has established some trends in the sport.
Andonovski was raised in the former Yugoslavia. He grew up as a child in Skopje, capital city of Republic of North Macedonia. He spent his childhood watching and even playing soccer. He became a professional and was eventually promoted to the senior team. After a successful American playing career, he decided to become a coach.
Andonovski has managed other teams, in addition to the USWNT. His previous coaching jobs include assisting in coaching youth soccer. He was known to players as well scouts when he was the FC Kansas City's coach. His teams reached post-season play in 2013 and 2014. He was also a member of the Missouri Olympic Development Program.
He is the 2nd coach to directly go from coaching in the American professional league to coaching for the national team, following April Heinrichs' 2000 departure.
Er was a high-level ambassador for the U.S. national women's soccer team. She also won two U.S. Soccer Female player of the year awards. Her professional playing experience was with Prato in Italy, and Juventus. She was instrumental in helping many young players reach their potential and move up the ranks to professional soccer. The USWNT was awarded the silver medal at 2000 Summer Olympics. It also won 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup and won the 2004 Olympics gold medal. Her role in coaching has been vital to the growth of women's sport in the USA and internationally.
Er was a former professional soccer star, and played for Wichita Wings in NPSL 2000-02. Later she was a soccer player for the Kansas City Comets. The Philadelphia Kixx and California Cougars. She was a MISL All-Star for two years. She received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Park University, 2008, and Ohio University in 2018, respectively. She currently lives in Kansas City.
He is the first coach to switch from the pro league coaching to the national coaching position, following Pia Sundhage 2000
Pia Sundhage was a Swedish soccer player and is now a manager. She made her debut with the national team at age 15 and guided the Swedish team to two Women's World Cups and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. She was awarded 146 caps, and she scored 71 goals. In her career, she was also a midfielder and sweeper.
Sundhage is a well-known coach in her home country and has a better chance of guiding the men's national team than most women who have made the switch. A poll in Sweden showed that she was ranked 25 percent to the next, and 12 percent for the second-placed candidate. She has also been praised by a well-known Swedish management guru.
Sundhage played a crucial role in the Philadelphia Charge's first two seasons as a WUSA coach. Sundhage was later promoted to Sweden head coach. She is expected stay in that role through the summer 2006.