US coach Vlatko Andonovski resigns in fallout from FIFA Women’s World Cup disaster

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Vlatko Andonovski has resigned as coach of the US national team in the aftermath of his side’s shock early exit from the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

US Soccer is reportedly finalising a deal with assistant Twila Kilgore as interim head coach.

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The US suffered their earliest-ever exit from the Women’s World Cup after losing to Sweden on penalties in the round of 16.

The team managed just one victory at this year’s tournament – 3-0 over Vietnam – and finished second in their group behind the Netherlands to qualify for the knockout stages.

Andonovski, 46, was also in the hot seat for the USA’s – a perennial high achiever – lacklustre showing at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, piloting the squad to a bronze medal after they beat Australia 4-3 in the third-place playoff.

Vlatko Andonovski has overseen a decline in the team’s performance. Credit: Getty Images

His contract was set to expire at the end of this calendar year.

Andonovski finishes with a 51-5-9 record since taking over from back-to-back World Cup-winning coach Jill Ellis in 2019. He was just 3-2-5 in major tournaments.

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Kilgore joined the team as an assistant in February 2022.

In the aftermath of the exit, social media piled on the team, with former president Donald Trump leading the charge.

“The “shocking and totally unexpected” loss by the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team to Sweden is fully emblematic of what is happening to the our (sic) once great Nation under Crooked Joe Biden,” Trump raged on his own social media platform Truth Social.

“Many of our players were openly hostile to America – No other country behaved in such a manner, or even close.

“WOKE EQUALS FAILURE. Nice shot Megan, the USA is going to Hell!!! MAGA.”

Andonovski had come under intense scrutiny during the group stage.

Andonovski attempts to console Lynn Williams after his team lost to Sweden in Melbourne. Credit: Getty Images for USSF

Commentator and former American footballer and Alexi Lalas also questioned the image of the women’s team.

“Don’t kill the messenger. This USWNT is polarizing,” Lalas said.

“Politics, causes, stances, and behavior have made this team unlikeable to a portion of America.

“This team has built its brand and has derived its power from being the best/winning. If that goes away they risk becoming irrelevant.”