ST. LOUIS — For a coach carrying enormous expectations to win the World Cup this summer, Vlatko Andonovski spoke after Tuesday’s 1-0 victory over Ireland as if he had been unburdened.
He was at ease giving lengthy, unfettered answers and joking with reporters about captain Becky Sauerbrunn almost scoring for the first time in her 15-year tenure.
Though his job is far from done — the Americans are three-plus months from starting their quest to win a record third consecutive title — one cosmic chore is complete: Since the disappointment of finishing third at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Andonovski has introduced new players and implemented a system designed to withstand turbulence in New Zealand and Australia between July 20 and Aug.