Vlatko Andonovski is officially the Chief Soccer Officer for Chicago Stars FC, a hire that immediately shakes up the NWSL landscape. This club, freshly eliminated from playoff contention, just brought in the former USWNT head coach to lead a massive rebuild, signaling a clear statement amid a club restructuring in its third year under new ownership led by Laura Ricketts. This isn’t just a coaching change, this is Chicago going all-in on a new vision, with Andonovski becoming their first-ever CSO to lead all technical and sporting strategies.
Andonovski’s Vision for a Rebuild
Andonovski’s arrival comes hot on the heels of his departure from Kansas City Current, making the timing even more interesting for a team in rebuild mode. He wasted no time expressing his excitement, stating that joining the Stars was an “easy decision” after deep conversations with ownership. He noted how everything he heard about the club’s direction, vision, and values aligns with his own beliefs about how the game should be played and what a club needs for success. What truly excites him? The “so much opportunity” within the club, and he’s ready to push forward with the staff and players. This isn’t just a job for him; it sounds like a perfect fit to turn things around in Chicago.
A Resume That Speaks Volumes (Mostly)
Look, Andonovski’s resume is stacked when it comes to the NWSL. He’s been involved in league roles since the NWSL started, winning two NWSL Championship titles with FC Kansas City, the Current’s predecessor. Plus, he snagged NWSL Coach of the Year honors in both 2013 and 2019, and even an NWSL Shield title in 2025 with the Current. The man knows how to build a winning team in this league, no doubt about it. His time as head coach for the USWNT after Jill Ellis left in 2019 had its ups and downs, sure. He led them to an Olympic bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which is big, but also faced that historic round-of-16 exit at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. So yeah, mixed results nationally, but his NWSL pedigree? Undeniable.
The Kansas City Departure and What It Means for Chicago
Interestingly, Kansas City Current announced Andonovski’s dismissal as Sporting Director on Labor Day with barely a peep,a short, 78-word release wishing him well, but totally glossing over his past successes. Talk about a quiet exit for someone so prominent. Despite the club’s understated announcement, current and former players took to social media to celebrate his impact, highlighting his contributions to setting standards and building a winning culture in Kansas City, where he’s had ties since the early 2000s coaching the Comets before FC Kansas City. Now, with Chicago Stars FC, he gets to write a whole new chapter. Can he bring that NWSL championship magic to the Windy City’s rebuild? The NWSL season is underway, and with a major leadership change like this, all eyes are definitely on Chicago to see what happens next.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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