Driven to Succeed

Vlatko Andonovski, ’08, leads U.S. women’s soccer team in preparation for 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Imagine the eyes of the world watching your every move.

Vlatko Andonovski, ’08, knows well the scrutiny of zealous fans, the relentless attention of sports media and the unceasing expectation to win. He also knows well the power of resilience.

Named head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team in October 2019, Andonovski stands at the center of the one of the brightest global spotlights in professional sports.

U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski, ’08, talks with players (and sisters) Sam Mewis (left) and Kristie Mewis during the squad’s 4-0 victory over Jamaica on June 13, 2021.

Photo by Michael Wyke

“It’s my greatest honor to coach the most successful women’s soccer team in the world,” said Andonovski, who, with unflinching fortitude, is preparing to lead the U.S. as it attempts to win what would be a historic fifth World Cup title at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to be hosted jointly by Australia and New Zealand.

Unshakeable determination

To say the job comes with pressure is a profound understatement.

Yet, Andonovski is no stranger to stress. With calm and unshakeable determination, he remains supremely focused. “When I set my mind on what I want to accomplish, I commit myself to doing everything possible to achieve my goals,” he said. “I was brought up like that.”

Born in the capital city of Skopje in North Macedonia (in the former Yugoslavia), Andonovski began his professional soccer career playing six seasons for multiple clubs in Europe. His father and brother also played professionally. “Soccer was the central topic in virtually every meal we had together,” he said.

An unwavering resolve to succeed led Andonovski to a championship career.

In 2000, Andonovski accepted an opportunity to come to the U.S. to play for the Wichita (Kan.) Wings of the National Professional Soccer League. Instead of returning to Macedonia when the Wings folded a year later, he moved to Kansas City, Mo. (which he’s called home ever since) to play for the Kansas City Comets where he was a two-time Major Indoor Soccer League (now Major Arena Soccer League) All-Star.

He coached the Comets to the MISL championship in 2014 and FC Kansas City to National Women’s Soccer League titles in 2014 and 2015. With his wife and children remaining in Kansas City, he commuted to Seattle where he was head coach for Reign FC (now OL Reign) and was named 2019 NWSL Coach of the Year.

As head coach for the USWNT, Andonovski has led the team to two SheBelieves Cup titles in 2020 and 2021, as well as a bronze medal in the 2021 Summer Olympics.

Addicted to improving

Winning may be everything in sports, but the pursuit inevitably comes with setbacks. The ability to withstand pressure and bounce back is crucial to success.

“We went to the Olympics to win gold; we won bronze. Was I disappointed? Yes, but I have a choice,” Andonovski said. “I can focus on the disappointment or I can study the experience to understand how we can improve,” he said. “All my life, I’ve been addicted to doing everything I can to improve. I’m looking forward to the 2023 World Cup and doing everything I can to lead the team over the finish line to a fifth World Cup win.”

That same drive led Andonovski to Park University.

Before playing soccer professionally, Andonovski had started his college degree in Macedonia. “I always wanted to finish,” he said. Fast forward to age 31 when he enrolled at Park University and joined Park’s men’s soccer coaching staff.

Like many Park students, Andonovski worked full-time while raising a family. “I’d start my days very early, attending classes on the Parkville (Mo.) Campus, then coach Park soccer in the afternoon and youth soccer in the evening. I’d return home just in time to see my wife and children for about an hour before they went to bed — and then I’d study,” he said. “Was it challenging? It’s all in how you decide to look at it.”

Look for reasons, not excuses

Andonovski said he hears people lament challenges — even opportunities — all the time. “Oh, I don’t have time. It’s not the right time. It’s too hard. I’m too tired. I’m too old. I’m too young. I’m not ready,” he said. “When we face challenges in life, it’s always easy to find excuses. But I’ve never looked for excuses. I always look for good reasons, and there are often many. Why am I doing this? How will this help me be better? I want to be the best leader I can be. I want to be the best father I can be. This is what I choose to focus on. This is what guides me, no matter what the circumstances may be.”

In 2008, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration/management at Park with a 3.86 grade point average and went on to earn a master’s degree in coaching education from Ohio University in 2018. In September 2020, Andonovski was awarded Park University’s Distinguished Alumnus Award, which recognizes Park alumni who have distinguished themselves through career service or community achievements.

Andonovski is now pursuing a doctorate degree in sports leadership at the University of Concordia in Chicago. “I’m not concerned about how long it will take because I enjoy studying and learning all I can,” he said. “I truly believe in education as the way to better oneself. It’s something no one can take away from you. We should always be educating ourselves. The moment you think you know it all, that’s the moment you stop growing.”

Milan Ivanovic, ’10 (left), joined Vltako Andonovski as an assistant coach for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team. He spent four seasons as an assistant coach for Andonovski with FC Kansas City and Reign FC after playing six seasons with the Kansas City Comets in the Major Indoor Soccer League. Ivanovic came to Kansas City in 2005 from North Macedonia to attend Park University where he played three seasons on the men’s soccer team and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration/ international business.

Vlatko Andonovski’s oldest daughter, Dragana (right), is a Park University junior majoring in biology and plays for the University’s Parkville, Mo., Campus women’s soccer team. His nephew, Filip (left), is a Park freshman majoring in business administration/ management and plays on the Parkville Campus men’s soccer team. “They are both crazy good soccer players,” Andonovski said. “I’m very excited for them to continue the family tradition at Park.” Andonovski’s wife, Biljana, also graduated from Park, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in interior design in 2012.