KC Athletics Technical Director, Vlatko Andonovski has officially been named the US Women’s National Team Head Coach following Jill Ellis’ resignation. Andonovski was the original Technical Director of FCKC Juniors and maintained that title when the club was rebranded to KC Athletics.

“I am thrilled for Vlatko and his family,” said Huw Williams, KC Athletics Executive Director. “He has been, and will continue to be, totally dedicated to reaching the pinnacle of his craft. He is incredibly driven, has a passion for the game and deeply cares about his players. His success should be an inspiration to many people in our community. Vlatko follows a very successful USWNT coach, but I believe he has the ability and the mindset to continue the achievements of the program for many years to come.”

Many remember Andonovski’s involvement with youth soccer in Kansas City as far back as co-founding KHMac Futbol Club and acting as Director of Coaching for Futura FC. He was appointed as the FC Kansas City NWSL head coach in 2013 and took the team to back-to-back championships in 2014 and 2015. Although Andonovski moved on to coach Seattle Reign FC in 2017, he has remained an integral part of KC Athletics.

Andonovski explains that excitement is on his mind as he heads into this USWNT role. 

“I am very excited for this opportunity,” said Andonovski. "It’s one of the greatest opportunities that a soccer coach can have - coaching the best women’s soccer team in the world. I know it’s going to be challenging, I know it’s going to be difficult at times. But at the same time, I know that it’s going to be fun and it’s going to be a great journey.”

Andonovski credits his inspirations as a coach to well-known names like Pep Guardiola, Jürgen Klopp and Marcelo Bielsa, but most of all, he credits his father for teaching him to be a leader. He acknowledges the path that he has followed to get to this place.

“When I look back, it’s been an incredible journey. [Coaching the USWNT] was always something that I dreamed of. It was something that I wanted to do. It never felt like it was going to happen or that it was time until now. I feel comfortable saying that this is something that I want to do, this is something I believe I can do, and this is something I think I will enjoy doing.“

Coach Andonovski is married to Biljana and has three children that are a part of KC Athletics: Dragana (Elite 2001/2002), Luka (Elite 2006) and Daria (Futures Program). We look forward to seeing Vlatko’s continued success: now on the national platform!