03 August 2023 , 15:21
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Vlatko Andonovski has admitted the United States Women's National Team's (USWNT) performance against Portugal was "c**p" after limping through the World Cup group stage Down Under.
The 46-year-old and his team have faced widespread criticism after winning just one of their three games so far, narrowly advancing to the knockout stages despite being favourites to win the tournament for a third straight time.
After a laboured victory over Vietnam in their tournament opener, the USWNT followed it with underwhelming performances in draws against the Netherlands and Portugal, meaning they will face a strong Sweden side in the round of 16 in Melbourne on Friday.
Ahead of the game, Andonovski accepted performances have not been up to standard so far, but he has been pleased by his players' reaction to the results and the intense scrutiny they have faced.
"It's been great, actually," he told FOX Sports. "I was a little bit worried after the Portugal game (with) how were they going to feel? But the group has been incredible. Some of the more experienced players from the get-go were very energetic and very positive about the fact we have a game.
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"Nothing changed. Yes, the performance was c**p, we all know that. We have to own it, we have to take accountability and we have to focus for the next game and make sure we don't have the same performance again."
Among Andonovski's biggest critics has been American soccer legend and FOX pundit Carli Lloyd, who slammed the performance against Portugal on Tuesday and said: "I'm just not seeing that passion. I'm just seeing a very lacklustre, uninspiring, taking-it-for-granted, where winning and training and doing all that you can to be the best possible individual player is not happening." Andonovski labelled her claims as "insane".
Vlatko Andonovski is under huge pressure at the Women's World Cup after limping through the group stage. (Jan Kruger - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)Andonovki's comments ahead of the clash with third-ranked Sweden have been praised by 231-cap USWNT international Heather O'Reilly. She said: "I think it's fantastic, I think it's the truth, I think it's him taking accountability. Nothing is rainbows and butterflies around the US. They know it was not good enough."
Former Bolton Wanderers midfielder Stuart Holden, who played 25 times for his country in an injury-shortened career, however, spoke of the huge pressure on Andonovski's shoulders ahead of Friday's game He said: "It was interesting to hear him say 'Yeah, the performance was crap' because it was and this next game for Vlatko Andonovski becomes the biggest game of his coaching career.
"And if they win, the next one is the biggest one of his coaching career because the reality is the United States need to at least get to the semi-final if not the final. That's the expectation, that's the job and that's what he signed up for.
"I want to see what changes he makes and how does he motivate this team because it's not been good enough?"