FC Kansas City at the center of interesting day for soccer fans

The departure of FC Kansas City’s manager in coordination with technological problems at the team’s offices caused rumors to swirl around the franchise’s future. The team addressed some of those questions.

The announcement that Vlatko Andonovski was not returning to manage FC Kansas City in the 2018 season came to many NWSL fans as a shock on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Events that came later in the day provided further chatter about the future of the franchise in Swope Park.

The reaction to the loss of Andonovski by Kansas City soccer fans is justified. As the club’s only manager since its inception in 2013, Andonovski went 47-37-25, including a 4-1 record in the NWSL postseason. He also helped bring NWSL championships to Kansas City in 2014 and 2015.

After it was revealed that Andonovski was taking the same job with the NWSL’s Seattle Reign, the Blues put out a short statement on his departure.

"“We thank Vlatko for all he has done for this club and we wish him the best of luck in the future,” said FC Kansas City owner Elam Baer."

Later in the day, it appeared that phone numbers for the franchise had been disconnected. The team had the following to say about that late on Tuesday night:

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"As for the phones, while it does appear that there were issues with the phone lines earlier today, the problems have been corrected and everything is in working order at this time."

What may have been a simple technological glitch couldn’t have come at a worse time for the club. Failing to reach the postseason for the past two consecutive seasons preempted Andonovski’s departure for Seattle. That was preceded by a change in the franchise’s general manager position and ownership.

At the time he purchased the club, Baer committed to keeping the team in Kansas City despite the fact that he maintains his residence in Minnesota. Baer did state that revenue would have to increase, however. While there has been no confirmation or denial out of the team of any further changes, both the average and total attendance figures for the club were at the bottom of the league for 2017.

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While the club seeks a new manager for 2018, there is a feeling of uncertainty around the entire franchise. It may have been exacerbated by naught more than an untimely glitch. That uncertainty is something that the club will have to deal with if the team’s future is in Kansas City.