FC Kansas City and US women's national team defender Becky Sauerbrunn (left) poses with FC Kansas City coach Vlatko Andonovski. (Photo Copyright: Thad Bell | http://www.tpbphoto.com/)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — FC Kansas City head coach Vlatko Andonovski and other NWSL coaches traveled to Nashville last week when the US women’s national team played their second match against Scotland on Feb. 13. While they got to watch the game and some of their players on the pitch, the real reason they were there was to meet with Tom Sermanni, the new US coach.
“It was awesome, a great experience,” Andonovski said. “He shared some things with us that were very valuable. We discussed some of the things of what to do with the players, practices, preparations when they are here and what they are going to do when they are with the national team. Overall it was a great meeting.”
Sermanni’s expectations of NWSL coaches in relation to national team players are straightforward.
“First and foremost we have to do a good job of keeping the players healthy. We have to keep them in good shape and technically sharp,” Andonovski explained.
There are no expectations that the NWSL coaches have to play the allocated national team players. “Nothing said about that at all, there were no special requests or anything. He understands that we are coaches and that we will be making game-day decisions and the best players play,” Andonovski said with assurance.
It was not just an opportunity to connect with the new head coach but the rest of the staff as well. The national team staff will work with the NWSL teams to keep the players as sharp and fit as possible.
While there are not meetings scheduled, Andonovski expects that the NWSL coaches will meet with the Canadian and Mexican national team coaches as well.
