Vlatko Andonovski has resigned as the United States women’s national team prepares to move on from its defeat at the 2023 World Cup.
Andonovski’s fate was confirmed when the USWNT was eliminated in the round of 16 by Sweden, confirming their worst-ever World Cup result. His contract was slated to expire at the end of the year, and it had been assumed that a new coach would be hired to usher in a new era.
Andonovski confirmed his departure on Thursday, as Matt Crocker selected assistant coach Trila Kilgore as acting manager while the coaching search is underway. Kilgore, formerly Kaufman, has been a USWNT assistant for the last year and a half and is the first American-born woman to get a Pro Coaching License from US Soccer.
Throughout the World Cup, the 46-year-old Andonovski was chastised for his tactics and substitutions, or lack thereof. His inability to figure out the midfield until the round of 16 was a stumbling block, but it was the lack of goals that effectively doomed the USWNT, who lost on penalties to Sweden.
Andonovski has been in charge of the USWNT since 2019, and according to ESPN, the coach is already attracting interest from the NWSL’s Kansas City Current.
“It’s been the honor of my life to coach the talented, hard-working players of the USWNT for the past four years,” said Andonovski. “I’m very optimistic for the future of this program, especially considering all the young players that got opportunities over the past few years who will no doubt be leaders and impact players moving forward.
“While we are all disappointed by the outcome at this year’s World Cup, I am immensely proud of the progress this team has made, the support they’ve shown for each other, and the inspiration they’ve provided for players around the world. I will be forever thankful to the U.S. Soccer Federation for giving me the chance to coach this remarkable team.”
Added Crocker on the coaching search: “It’s imperative that we continue to evolve and innovate, and we are excited about the path that lies ahead. We understand the challenges and have engaged with stakeholders from various corners of our sport – players, coaches, and other individuals within the soccer landscape. The insights and perspectives gathered during these discussions have been instrumental in shaping our forward-looking plan. Our commitment to excellence remains unshakeable, and we believe this strategic plan will set the foundation for our Women’s National Team to achieve greater heights in the years to come.”
The United States Women’s National Team will return to action in September for two post-World Cup friendlies against South Africa.
