Vlatko Andonovski leaves USWNT after failure at Women's World Cup
The disappointing performance of the national team led to his departure. A tournament that will be remembered for the lack of respect of several players to 'The Star-Spangled Banner'.
Vlatko Andonovski / Cordon Press
The resounding failure of the United States women's soccer team (USWNT) in the World Cup has claimed its first victim. Coach Vlatko Andonovski has resigned after failing to advance beyond the knockout stages of the tournament, where the team lost on penalties to Sweden. It is the earliest elimination of the four-time World Cup champions in the top tournament of national teams.
Although Andonovski's departure has not yet been made official, sources close to the USWNT confirmed the news to ESPN. In addition, they said that Twila Kilgore, until now assistant to the former coach, will take the reins of the national team on an interim basis, until the United States Soccer Federation names the new technical director.
Apart from the strictly sporting side of things, the USWNT was involved in a major controversy during the World Cup. Before the group stage match against Vietnam (in which the United States won 3-0), five of the eleven starting players . They decided not to put their hands to their hearts – a very common, if not obligatory gesture – nor did they sing the lyrics of the anthem.
An ugly gesture that aroused countless criticisms and even caused people to stop supporting the national team. One of the fiercest trials was that of the presenter Megyn Kelly, who of being the most responsible for this act and of encouraging her teammates.
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