(AP) – Former U.S. women’s national team coach Vlatko Andonovski has joined the Chicago Stars as chief soccer officer, the team announced Thursday.
Andonovski’s new team has already been eliminated from playoff contention this season with a 5-17-2 record. The Stars fired coach Martin Sjögren last month after less than a full season on the job. General manager Richard Feuz was let go in May.
“Joining the Chicago Stars was an easy decision after the conversations I had with ownership and leadership,” Andonovski said. “We had the opportunity to talk in depth about the direction of this club, their vision, and values. Everything I heard aligns with the way I believe the game should be played and what the club needs to be successful.”
Andonovski had parted ways with the Kansas City Current last week. He joined the National Women’s Soccer League team ahead of the 2024 season and moved to sporting director in late 2025.
Last year, Andonovski ’s Current team claimed the NWSL Shield and set regular-season records with 65 points and 21 victories. The team conceded just 13 goals and had 16 shutouts.
During a career that has included stops with three NWSL teams, Andonovski won Coach of the Year honors in 2013 and 2019. He coached the now-defunct FC Kansas City to league championships in 2014 and 2015.
“As we’ve navigated our club’s challenges, ownership and executive leadership has been steadfast in their understanding that any future head of our sporting initiatives must be a proven winner with a thorough understanding of this league, its mechanisms and standards, and what it takes to be a serious contender for titles,” Stars President Karen Leetzow said in a statement. “Vlatko brings demonstrated experience in each of those areas, and we’re looking forward to his impact as we continue to build, expand our sporting structure, and bring this club up to the level of our ambitions.”
Andonovski coached the United States from 2019-23, leading the team to the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics. He resigned after the national team fell in the round of 16 to Sweden in the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
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