
<p>Former United States women’s national team manager Vlatko Andonovski looks set to return to coaching. </p>



<p>Andonovski previously resigned as head coach of the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/uswnt-tv-schedule/">USWNT</a> just weeks after a disappointing display at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. </p>



<p>Despite being favorites to win the tournament, the Americans were knocked out of the competition at the round of 16. It was the worst showing by the team at a Women’s World Cup. In fact, the team had previously never finished worse than third in the tournament’s history.</p>



<h2>Coach previously managed Kansas City Current predecessor</h2>



<p>Andonovski is now supposedly close to joining <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nwsl-tv-schedule-and-streaming-links/">National Women’s Soccer League</a> (NWSL) side Kansas City Current. Steven Goff of <em><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/10/20/vlatko-andonovski-kansas-city-current-coach/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Washington Post</a></em> is reporting that the two sides are at the final stages of a contract agreement. The move would potentially bring Andonovski back to the NWSL and the city of Kansas City.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kansas City Current close to finalizing contract with former USWNT boss Vlatko Andonovski to coach the NWSL club, two people familiar with the situation said.</p>— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) <a href="https://twitter.com/SoccerInsider/status/1715441650124689646?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>The Macedonian-American coach previously managed FC Kansas City from 2013 to 2017. The club was one of eight founding members of the NWSL in 2012 and is the Current’s predecessor. FC Kansas City, however, ultimately folded after just five years in the league. Before issues at the club, Andonovski did manage to guide the team to back-to-back <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nwsl-tv-schedule-and-streaming-links/">NWSL</a> titles in 2014 and 2015.</p>



<p>After departing Kansas City, Andonovski moved on to fellow NWSL side Reign FC. His short time with the Seattle club did not go as well as his previous venture. Nevertheless, he was named as manager of the USWNT in October of 2019.</p>



<h2>Current coming off of disappointing season</h2>



<p>The Kansas City Current finished a disappointing 11th out of 12 teams in the NWSL standings during the 2023 campaign. This came after the club made it all the way to the title game in the previous season. After failing to win any of the team’s first three matches, Matt Potter was fired by the team’s brass. Interim boss Caroline Sjöblom then entered the fray, but could not right the ship on the season.</p>



<p>Photo credit: IMAGO &amp; Icon Sportswire</p>


Ex-USWNT Vlatko Andonovski to coach Kansas City Current

Vlatko Andonovski, previously with the USWNT, will join NWSL side Kanas City Current as their new head coach


<p>The 2022 <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/nwsl-tv-schedule-and-streaming-links/">National Women’s Soccer League</a> season has ended. It culminated in NWSL Championship TV ratings setting a new record television viewership.  CBS Sports has revealed that the game between the Portland Thorns and Kansas City Current averaged 915,000 viewers on CBS and <a href="https:\/\/paramountplus.qflm.net/c/330866/1007330/3065" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paramount+</a>.  This was a 71% increase on the previous season’s championship match.</p>



<p>Portland went on to beat Kansas City 2-0 for the title.  It was the team’s third championship trophy since 2013.  They have previously collected titles in 2013 and 2017.</p>



<p>CBS Sports also declared that the game was the most-watched women’s fixture on <a href="https:\/\/paramountplus.qflm.net/c/330866/1007330/3065" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paramount+</a> in United States households.  The streaming service recorded double-digit growth compared to the 2021 National Women’s Soccer League championship.  </p>



<p>The title match, which was played on October 29th, aired at 8PM ET on CBS.  This was the first time that a National Women’s Soccer League game was nationally televised in primetime.</p>



<h5>Sponsor steps in to help bring title game to primetime</h5>



<p>Although initially set for a noon kickoff, National Women’s Soccer League partner Ally stepped in.  The financial company increased their media investment for the championship game to help push the match to primetime.</p>



<p>“Like sports fans across the country, we knew it was important to create a pathway to primetime for this year’s NWSL championship game,” <a href="https:\/\/www.sportspromedia.com/news/nwsl-championship-game-2022-cbs-ally-ncaa-womens-basketball-final-2023-abc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stated</a> Andrea Brimmer, Ally’s chief marketing and public relations officer.</p>



<p>“We increased our media investment with CBS to help make it happen, delivering the first action in our promise to watch the game, change the game.”</p>



<p>“This is a huge win for the fans, for the players and the league, and for all brands that invest in women’s sports,” Brimmer continued.  “We are thrilled to be bringing the game to more fans this year, in the spot the sport deserves.”</p>



<p>The move by Ally clearly paid off.  </p>



<p>Along with the impressive broadcasting figures, the National Women’s Soccer League also set <a href="https:\/\/www.sportspromedia.com/news/san-diego-wave-angel-city-nwsl-attendance-record-snapdragon-stadium/#:~:text=32%2C000%20fans%20see%20hosts%20win%20opener%20at%20new%20Snapdragon%20Stadium.&amp;text=San%20Diego%20Wave&apos;s%201%2D0,Women&apos;s%20Soccer%20League%20(NWSL)." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">attendance records</a> this season as well.  In total, 32,000 fans filled Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego to see Wave FC play against Angel City in September.</p>



<p><em>Photo credit: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire</em></p>


NWSL Championship TV ratings are a record breaker on CBS Sports and Paramount+ in the United States for the 2022 final.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Kansas City Current"

Leagues: NWSL

Ex-USWNT Vlatko Andonovski to coach Kansas City Current

Leagues: NWSL

NWSL Championship TV ratings are a record breaker