Vlatko Andonovski is the head coach of the United States women's national soccer team. He is a former player, and a Macedonian. He is the third man to be the head of the team, the first since Pia Sunderhage in 2000. He has experience in coaching both women's teams and the men's.
Andonovski was the first man to coach women's national soccer team
Andonovski is a new face in the women's soccer coaching world. He matches Ellis's new coach/player role better than Ellis. Ellis' style of play is less effective and resonates better with him. He has established some trends in the sport.
Andonovski was born in the former Yugoslavia and grew up in Skopje, the capital city of the Republic of North Macedonia. He spent his childhood playing soccer and watching others. He turned pro and eventually made it to the top team. After a successful American playing career, he decided to become a coach.
Andonovski, in addition coaching the USWNT has also managed several other teams. One of his past coaching jobs was as a youth soccer coach. He was a well-known coach at FC Kansas City and was familiar to both players and scouts. His teams reached the playoffs in 2013 and 2014. He was also a member of the Missouri Olympic Development Program.
After April Heinrichs 2000, he is now the second coach to move directly from the American pro league coaching to the coaching of the national team.
Er was a world-class ambassador and player for the U.S. Soccer Female Team. 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 won the silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics, won the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2003, and won the gold medal in the 2004 Olympics. Her role as the head coach was crucial to the development and growth of women's soccer in America and around the world.
Er was a former professional player in soccer, having played for the Wichita Wings (NPSL) from 2000-02. Later she went on to play for both the Kansas City Comets as well as the Philadelphia Kixx and the California Cougars. She was a MISL All-Star for two years. She earned her Bachelor's from Park University in 2008. In 2018, she received her Master of Coaching Education from Ohio University. She currently resides in Kansas City, Missouri.
He is the first to go directly from coaching in the pro league to coaching the national team after Pia Sundhage in 2000
Pia Sundhage, a former Swedish soccer player and manager, is now a Swedish soccer coach. 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 won 146 caps. She also scored 71 goal. She was also a sweeper and a midfielder during her career.
Sundhage has been a well-respected coach in her native country. She is more likely to be the head coach of the men’s national team than most women who have made this 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, a key member on the Philadelphia Charge coaching staff in their first two seasons of the WUSA, was a key player. Later, she was named Sweden head coach and will likely remain there through the summer 2006.