U.S. Women's Soccer Head Coach Resigns After World Cup Upset

 U.S. Women's Soccer Head Coach Resigns After World Cup Upset

U.S. Women's Soccer Head Coach Resigns After World Cup Upset(Image-Getty)

Vlatko Andonovski, who had been serving as the head coach of the United States women's national soccer team, has submitted his resignation, according to a report by ESPN on Wednesday. This decision follows the team's unexpected elimination from the Women's World Cup earlier this month, where they failed to advance past the round of 16. This marked a significant setback for the four-time champions, as it was their poorest showing in this prestigious international tournament.

The U.S. women's soccer team had been striving for an extraordinary achievement – clinching an unprecedented third consecutive World Cup title. However, their hopes were dashed when they suffered a defeat against Sweden in the round of 16. This unanticipated early exit prompted concerns and discussions about the team's performance.

At the time of this report, U.S. Soccer had not provided an immediate response to inquiries for comments regarding Andonovski's resignation and the team's future plans.

Looking ahead, the team is scheduled to participate in a pair of friendly matches against South Africa on September 21 and 24. For these upcoming matches, it is anticipated that an interim coach will step in to lead the team. This transitional arrangement has been suggested by ESPN, but no official announcement has been made by the soccer governing body.

Vlatko Andonovski assumed the role of head coach nearly four years ago, succeeding Jill Ellis, who had led the team to consecutive World Cup victories in 2015 and 2019. Andonovski faced considerable expectations as he took charge of the team, inheriting the responsibility of maintaining the team's winning legacy.

Under Andonovski's guidance, the United States women's soccer team secured a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics. However, even during the Olympic competition, there were indications of challenges and difficulties. The team experienced hurdles in Australia and New Zealand, struggling to find their rhythm after being plagued by a series of injuries prior to the tournament. This led to concerns about the team's overall performance and ability to contend at the highest level of international competition.