Milan Ivanovic has been the right-hand man to Vlatko Andonovski on three soccer teams. (Photo courtesy of Reign FC)
CHICAGO – U.S. Soccer Monday announced the newest appointment to the U.S. women’s national team technical staff as Milan Ivanovic joined the coaching staff of newly hired head coach Vlatko Andonovski.
Ivanovic, pronounced E-vahn-Oh-Vich, is a former professional player who has worked by Andonovski’s side for the last four seasons in the National Women’s Soccer League, two for FC Kansas City and the last two for Reign FC. He was on the FCKC staff for the team’s 2015 NWSL title run.
“Milan is a coach who is extremely dedicated and passionate about helping players reach their top level on the field,” Andonovski said. “He truly loves the game and is a tireless worker in his preparation for trainings, for matches and in scouting opponents. I know he’ll fit in extremely well with our technical and support staff and one of his big strengths is his ability to connect with players in a way that shows them that he always has their best interests as people and players in mind.”
Ivanovic played six seasons of professional indoor soccer under Andonovski, who was an assistant coach and then head coach, for the Kansas City Comets in the Major Indoor Soccer League and later the Major Arena Soccer League from 2012-18. He also spent the 2018-2019 season with the indoor Tacoma Stars.
Ivanovic came to Kansas City in 2005 to attend Park University, where he played three seasons and earned a bachelor’s degree in international business. He began coaching youth soccer in Kansas City, working with the girls’ team at Futura FC.
In 2009, Ivanovic returned to Serbia, where he played with lower division side Lokomotiva Belgrade. In 2012, he came back to the USA to play with the Comets. He again started coaching youth soccer as Futura transitioned to FC Kansas City. Two years later he joined the professional ranks as an assistant coach in the NWSL with Andonovski.
Ivanovic grew up playing in the Red Star Belgrade youth system, one of the most renowned player development environments in the world before competing with Lokomotiva before coming to the United States to attend college at age 20.
