Andonovski wants Current to stay ‘humble.’ Will he stop celebrations? ‘Absolutely not’

The KC Current couldn’t have started the 2024 season better. And it couldn’t be more in contrast to the team’s play to begin the last two seasons.

The Current (2-0-0) have earned six points so far, wining against the top two teams from the 2023 season: the Portland Thorns and the San Diego Wave.

A revamped roster and renewed mentality among the players under Vlatko Andonovski’s leadership have the Current churning at a level many thought they should be, even topping ESPN’s latest power rankings.

While the wins and plaudits are nice, Andonovski and his crew hope to remain humble.

“I wouldn’t say we’ve sent any message,” Andonovski said. “We won the first two games. We’re happy about it, but understand that there are 24 games to go, and we’re just focused on the next one.”

The message from Andonovski to players has been to be “humble” as they move through the season. Lo LaBonta mentioned that his message of humility to the players ahead of the San Diego game had her questioning whether or not to pull off a celebration when she scored.

“I think immediately after I scored that PK, I was like, ‘Oh man, do I do it? Do I not?’” LaBonta said.

She did celebrate, but maybe not in the internet-breaking fashion she has in the past. After burying the penalty, she blew kisses to everyone.

Of course, some social media comments — many blown out of proportion — included fans and pundits concerned Andonovski would try to stop the joy and celebrations altogether.

So, is that what he meant?

“Absolutely not,” Andonovski said.

He explained.

“They all have their own thing, and the celebration is a personal thing,” Andonovski said. “I don’t get into it. I can’t demand or ask someone to celebrate or not celebrate. But I do want our team to be humble, calm and quiet when it comes down to wins or losses. Just because we won two games doesn’t mean that we won the league.”

It’s the culture that Andonovski has wanted to build. The club hasn’t sent some great message yet, he’d suggest, and he continually preaches that things will get better over time.

“I don’t want to downplay the fact that we won the two games, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s just two out of 26,” Andonovski said. “So we do understand that even though it seems like such a good thing, we haven’t really done much. So, winning the next one is the most important thing for us.”

Up next is Angel City FC, which enters CPKC Stadium in search of its first win in the young season. Angel City notably has been a tricky team for the Current, who has yet to defeat Angel City in the two years the two have been opponents.

Current assistant coach Freya Coombe was Angel City’s head coach for its inaugural season in 2022 and half of the 2023 season.

“They have a tremendous roster,” Andonovski said. “They have a stellar offense, and they can make things happen at any point. I know that we have to be very careful and very smart about how we approach this game.”

The Current is still dealing with a bit of the injury bug. Both Bia Zaneratto and Temwa Chawinga will be on a 25-to-30-minute time restriction as they manage small injuries picked up since the start of the season.

One note of health is Desiree Scott’s return to the active roster. The longtime NWSL veteran was activated off of the season-ending injury list on Friday afternoon, making her available for Saturday’s match.

Scott was among a group of players called into international duty that begins next week. Scott will join Canada, Stine Ballisager will join Denmark, and Lauren will be with Brazil in the She Believes Cup held next week.

Daniel Sperry covers soccer for The Star. He can be reached at sperry.danielkc@gmail.com.