VLATKO ANDONOVSKI WINS NWSL COACH OF THE YEAR

PRIAIRIE VILLAGE, Kansas (Aug. 26, 2024) – FC Kansas City’s Vlatko Andonovski was voted the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Coach of the Year for the 2024 NWSL season. Sky Blue FC coach Jim Gabarra was second in the voting, while Western New York Flash coach Aaran Lines finished third.

Andonovski, 36, led FC Kansas City to an 11-6-5 record and a second-place finish in the regular season of the inaugural NWSL season before the Blues lost 3-2 (AET) to Portland Thorns FC in a NWSL semifinal Aug. 24.

“I have to say I’m honored to get this award, among all the great coaches in the league. I need to take the opportunity to thank the players,” remarked Andonovski. “They are the ones who made it possible. It’s easy to be a good coach when you have great players to work with.”

FCKC’s 38 points and 11 wins were tied for the most in the league. The Blues also finished the regular season ranked second in goals against (22) and third in goals scored (34).

After starting the season with a 5-4-1 record through the first 10 games, Andonovski and FC Kansas City went unbeaten in their next 10 games to set the NWSL record for most games without a loss.

FC Kansas City record by month:

Month

 

W-L-D

Pts

GF

GA

April

1-0-1

4

3

1

May

2-2-0

6

4

3

June

4-2-1

13

13

9

July

3-0-3

12

10

4

August

1-2-0

3

4

5

Playoffs

0-1-0

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2

3

The NWSL awards are voted on by a selection of journalists that cover the league on a consistent basis, club officials and NWSL players.