Vlatko Andonovski will return to the NWSL sidelines this weekend for the first time since 2019 when Kansas City takes on Portland.
Ahead of that, Andonovski spoke with ESPN about his return to the league and his first time coaching since departing the USWNT last August. Andonovski coached the USWNT from 2019 up through the 2023 World Cup. He led the team to a Round of 16 exit, which was the team’s worst-ever finish at the tournament.
To Andonovski, a return to the NWSL has meant a return to his element, as he’s found that the club game “suits him” more than the international game.
“It’s something that is continuous — that’s the difference,” Andonovski told ESPN. “Like, it’s not, ‘Oh, now let’s take a break for two months. We’ll see you in May.’ Now we keep going. ‘All right, we check this box but you got to check the next box.’”
It’s a return to Kansas City for Andonovski, who has lived there since 2000. He was the original coach of FC Kansas City, helping the team to two NWSL championships before it folded in 2017. He then coached Reign FC from 2018 until 2019 before taking the helm of the USWNT.
Twice, Andonovski was named NWSL Coach of the Year, winning it in the league’s…
