The Chicago Stars announced Thursday they’ve named former Kansas City Current sporting director and ex‑USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski as chief soccer officer .
Kansas City and Andonovski mutually agreed to part ways, noting the shift from coach to sporting director wasn’t the right fit.
A league insider, speaking off the record, said Andonovski will steer the Stars’ sporting strategy. ESPN broke the story first.
At Thursday’s press conference with Stars president Karen Leetzow, Andonovski explained why Chicago won out over other options after his Kansas City stint.
He pointed to early talks with owner Laura Ricketts, who bought the club in 2023.
“She shared her story, why she’s in this game, how she sees excellence, caring for people, integrity,” Andonovski said. “Those values match mine, so I expect a great partnership with the leadership and owners.”
The hire puts one of the league’s most successful coaches in charge of a club fighting for relevance. The Stars sit 5‑17‑2 with a –40 goal differential, missing the playoffs after a 1‑1 draw with Portland. They dismissed coach Martin Sjögren last month and GM Richard Feuz in May. Last year they finished bottom, 3‑11‑12 and –22.
Andonovski and Leetzow, longtime colleagues from U.S. Soccer, didn’t shy away from the rebuild’s scale. In my view, his proven pedigree is the Stars’ best bet to restore credibility and lure talent.
Vlatko Andonovski (center) and Stars president Karen Leetzow (right) have known each other for years from their U.S. Soccer days. (Chicago Stars)
As an original NWSL franchise, the Stars—formerly the Chicago Red Stars until a 2023 rebrand—have never lifted a trophy. Their closest runs were runner‑up finishes in 2019 and 2020, falling to North Carolina Courage and Washington Spirit.
Andonovski told Thursday’s interview he hasn’t set a timeline with Ricketts, but he’s imposed his own deadline.
“Next season we’ll do whatever it takes to reach the playoffs, and the work started for me the moment I signed,” he said. “I’m confident we’ll bring quality players here.”
Chicago’s summer moves suggest the club is clearing roster space and freeing funds for future signings. It sent forward Jameese Joseph to the Utah Royals for $750,000 in intra‑league funds and loaned Japanese midfielder Manaka Hayashi to Juventus for an undisclosed fee.
Those deals follow a January transaction that sent Brazilian striker Ludmila to the San Diego Wave for $800,000 in intra‑league funds.
Andonovski left Kansas City after its sharp decline following the 2025 NWSL Shield season he coached to. After a quarterfinal upset to Gotham FC last November, he shifted to sporting director, a role that lasted under a year.
Before Kansas City, he led the USWNT from October 2019 to August 2023. The 50‑year‑old Macedonian stepped down after the team suffered its worst World Cup finish, a round‑of‑16 loss to Sweden.
His initial USWNT appointment stemmed from his NWSL success, having guided FC Kansas City to back‑to‑back titles in 2014 and 2015.
His sudden exit sparked strong reactions from former players, many posting heartfelt tributes. Veteran captain Lo’eau LaBonta wrote on Instagram Stories, “The impact you had on this organization could never be summed up in a press release, even if it were to be acknowledged.”
The Stars open Sunday at home against second‑place Washington Spirit. Can the club finally break through?