As time ticked away for the United States women’s national team in its most important match of the Women’s World Cup group stage, the game seemed to be begging for an American substitute or two.
With the USWNT tied 1-1 with the Netherlands, wingers Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith began to appear exhausted. They were desperate for a winning goal, and three of Rodman’s four failed shots occurred in the closing 15 minutes. However, after Lindsey Horan’s 60th-minute equalizer, the players’ passing accuracy began to decline and their tendency to lose the ball increased. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Rodman completed zero of the nine passes she attempted between the first minute of the second half and the 75th minute.
However, USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski chose not to use a player with fresh legs as a second-half substitute. It was a contentious choice, and one that will be scrutinized further if the Americans fail to win Group E and are forced to take a far tougher path into the knockout round of this tournament.
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Who is USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski?
Vlatko Andonovski is a Macedonian-American soccer coach, best recognized for his work in women’s soccer. He was born on September 14, 1976, in Skopje, Macedonia’s (now North Macedonia’s) capital city. Vlatko Andonovski began his soccer career as a player, but he soon turned to teaching, where he discovered his true calling.
Upon joining the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the United States, Andonovski’s coaching career soared to new heights. He had a tremendous impact on the league’s teams and players, demonstrating his tactical brilliance and ability to develop winning teams.
Andonovski was the head coach of FC Kansas City, a side headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, from 2013 until 2017. During his tenure, he guided the team to significant success, including back-to-back NWSL Championships in 2014 and 2015. During this time, his coaching style and player management were highly regarded.
Andonovski left to coach Reign FC (now OL Reign), a professional women’s soccer team based in Tacoma, Washington, in 2018. His time with Reign FC cemented his status as one of the most gifted coaches in women’s soccer. He was recognized for his abilities to develop players, implement effective plans, and foster a healthy team culture.
Andonovski’s outstanding track record in the NWSL drew the attention of US Soccer, and he was named head coach of the United States women’s national soccer team (USWNT) in October 2019. The United States Women’s National Team is one of the most successful teams in women’s soccer history, having won multiple international titles, including four FIFA Women’s World Cup wins.
Taking over for Jill Ellis, who led the United States Women’s National Team to victory in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Andonovski faced the challenge of sustaining the team’s high standard of play while also adding his own coaching philosophy. Despite the constant challenges and expectations, he managed to create a smooth transition, garnering the players’ respect and support.
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The USWNT continues to compete at a high level in international tournaments such as the SheBelieves Cup, the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament, and the Olympics under Andonovski’s direction. His tactical approach, versatility, and emphasis on player development have all been important factors in the team’s continued success.
