In a surprising turn of events, Vlatko Andonovski has resigned from his position as the head coach of the United States Women's football team. The decision comes in the wake of the team's disappointing performance at the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where they were knocked out in the round of 16 by Sweden. This early exit was seen as a major disappointment for a team that had high expectations, given their star-studded lineup and reputation as an international powerhouse.

Under Andonovski's leadership, the US team had also recently taken home the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics. However, this achievement was overshadowed by their lackluster performance at the World Cup. The team's early exit marked the first time in history that they had failed to advance past the round of 16 in a World Cup. This was a major blow to a team that had won the previous two World Cups and was hoping to cement their dominance with a third victory.

In a statement, Andonovski expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to coach the team, calling it the "honor of my life." He also expressed optimism for the future of the program, highlighting the young players who had gained valuable experience over the past few years and were poised to become leaders and impact players in the future.

Assistant coach Twila Kilgore has been appointed as the interim head coach until a replacement is found. The team is currently in the process of finalizing the hiring of a new coach. The timeline for finding a replacement is relatively short, as the United States has already qualified for the 2024 Olympics in France.

Andonovski's tenure with the team was marked by mixed results. While he had an impressive overall record of 51-5-9, his performance in major tournaments was underwhelming, with a record of 3-2-5. The team's lack of success in recent tournaments has raised questions about the direction of the program and the need for a change in leadership.

The disappointment of the team's recent performances has also sparked criticism from former players and commentators. Carli Lloyd, who played a crucial role in the team's victory in the 2015 World Cup final, openly criticized the team for their lack of heart and arrogance. Lloyd's comments echoed the sentiment of many fans and observers who believed that the team had lost its edge and failed to live up to its potential.

Despite the disappointments, Andonovski is reportedly drawing interest from other international and club teams. His experience and track record make him an attractive candidate for coaching positions, despite the recent setbacks with the US team.

As the United States Women's football team begins its search for a new coach, the focus will be on finding the right person to lead the team to future success. With a talented roster and a history of excellence, the team has the potential to regain its status as an international powerhouse. However, it will require strong leadership and a renewed sense of determination to achieve that goal. The upcoming exhibition matches against South Africa will serve as an opportunity for the team to regroup and begin the process of rebuilding for the future.