Vladko Antonovski has resigned as coach of the US Women’s National Team, a source has confirmed on Antonovski’s status. Athletic On Wednesday. The source was granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly before the move was officially announced. Soccer Outlet 90 min First reported news.
Antonovski has already attracted interest from several teams at international and club levels, the source said. US Soccer is finalizing a deal to replace assistant coach Twila Kilgore as interim head coach, multiple sources have confirmed. The US women play two friendlies against South Africa on September 21 and 24.
The 46-year-old Antonovski oversaw a disappointing World Cup campaign that saw the team exit at the last-16 stage, losing 5-4 on penalties to Sweden. It was the first time the USWNT had been eliminated from the World Cup and Antonovski’s decisions were called into question throughout the tournament.
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Antonovski succeeded Jill Ellis in October 2019. The U.S. did not win either of its major tournaments under Antonovsky, winning bronze at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Won four out of 10 matches with Antonovski at the Olympics and World Cup. The coach went 51-5-9 overall with Team USA.
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Antonovski, a former NWSL coach, raised criticism about the team’s selection, substitutions (or lack thereof) and the team’s tactical approach to games during the World Cup. Asked about his work status after the defeat to Sweden, he said: “I think it’s selfish to think about myself and my future and what I’m going to do when 20-year-olds are doing this.”
Kilgore was there Appointed He was an assistant coach under Antonovsky in February 2022. She was previously an assistant with the Houston Dash, coached at various training camps with the US Youth Women’s National Teams and coached college soccer teams for 15 years, including leading the UC Davis women’s from 2014 to 2019. Kilgore played college football at the University of Arizona.
Antonovski’s exit comes amid a year of change in American soccer. Sports director Ernie Stewart and U.S. men’s national team general manager Brian McBride left the federation earlier this year. US Soccer replaced Stewart in April with former Southampton director of football Matt Crocker, who oversaw the search for the next USMNT coach, eventually bringing Greg Berhalter back to the fold.
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Analyzing USWNT practice results during early World Cup exits
(Photo: John Kruger – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
