It’s unfortunate how things turned out for Vlatko Andonovski with the US Women’s National Team. Everything went south as fingers were pointed at the American-Macedonian coach for a disappointing tenure, particularly after the underwhelming performance at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Fast forward to today, Andonovski seems to be enjoying life as he’s finally with a team that ‘laughs and smiles so much.‘

Looks like joining KC Current was the best decision ever made by the former USWNT boss. Why? Well, for starters, he has been happy with a team that he is able to keep happy. “I mean, talking about fun, I have to say, I told the players yesterday in a meeting that I’ve never been around players and a team that laughs and smiles so much, which is great,” began Vlatko during an interview with the Attacking Third.

It’s not like we are alleging he didn’t used to have fun with USWNT and vice versa—albeit the poor results—things were just too serious on the international front. However, with KC Current, the 48-year-old has been able to find a connection like no other. And you what the best part is? He enjoys seeing his team in a jolly state.

“As a coach, you come in, and you see the players coming in with a smile on their faces, and they leave the facility with a smile on their faces and absolutely kill each other, destroy each other, and fight and battle on the field in between; that’s all you want,” added Andonovski.

“It’s been such a pleasure coaching this group, and the fact that we’ve had some success within that, it’s great,” he concluded while reflecting on a rewarding season that NWSL teams and players alike must have enjoyed as the qualified teams now gear up for the upcoming playoffs. Regardless, this makes us wonder how Andonovski’s arrival changed the fate not only of himself but also of KC Current.

How did Vlatko Andonovski become successful in his vengeance following USWNT failure?

In their first season under former USWNT boss Vlatko Andonovski, the Kansas City Current has emerged as a strong contender for the NWSL playoffs. Finishing the regular season in fourth place with 55 points, their impressive performance suggests Andonovski was determined to put the disappointment of the 2023 World Cup behind him. Additionally, the Current recently clinched the NWSL X Liga MX Femeni Summer Cup title with a 2-0 win over Gotham FC.

Even KC legend Heather O’Reilly, who played under Andonovski during Kansas City’s 2014-15 NWSL championship run, underlined the manager’s intentions for making his bold return to the NWSL after leading the USWNT. “[He has a] vengeance on like making things right and clearing his name sort of alluded to that and so he’s definitely on a mission to be back on the winning side because he fell short with the USWNT,” Heather O’Reilly said in an interview earlier.

And boy did Vlatko Andonovski become successful in doing so. Who knows what’s in store for him ahead of the NWSL playoffs?