Vlatko Butonovski, the head coach of the United States women’s national soccer team is a former player. He is a former football player and a Macedonian. He is the second man to head the team and the first since Pia Sundhage 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 doesn't resonate as well with his players. His approach is more direct and resonant. He has established some trends in the sport.
Andonovski was born in Yugoslavia, but grew up in Skopje (the capital of the Republic of North Macedonia). He was a soccer fan his whole life and played the game himself. He was a pro soccer player and made it to the senior team. After a successful playing career in the United States, he settled into coaching.
In addition to coaching the USWNT, Andonovski has also managed other teams. One of his past coaching jobs was as a youth soccer coach. He was known to players as well scouts when he was the FC Kansas City's coach. His teams reached post-season play in 2013 and 2014. He was also a part of the Missouri Olympic Development Program.
He is the second coach to go directly from coaching in the American pro league to coaching the national team after April Heinrichs in 2000
Er was a world-class ambassador for the U.S. women's national team and a former player, winning two U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year Awards. She also played professionally for Juventus and Prato in Italy. She was a mentor to many young players and helped them reach their full potential. 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 head coach is crucial for the development of the women’s game in America and abroad.
Er was a former professional soccer star, and played for Wichita Wings in NPSL 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 two-time MISL All-Star. She received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Park University, 2008, and Ohio University in 2018, respectively. She currently resides with her family in Kansas City.
He is the first coach to switch from the pro league coaching to the national coaching position, following Pia Sundhage 2000
Pia Sundhage is a Swedish soccer manager and former player. 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 was awarded 146 caps, and she scored 71 goals. She was also a sweeper-midfielder and a sweeper during her career.
Sundhage, a well-known coach from her native country, has a better chance than most women of making the switch to the national team. In a poll published in Sweden, she received 25 percent of the vote, while the next-ranked candidate received 12 percent. She was also praised by a respected Swedish management guru.
Sundhage played a crucial role in the Philadelphia Charge's first two seasons as a WUSA coach. Later, she was named Sweden head coach and will likely remain there through the summer 2006.