Matt Crocker to Depart U.S. Soccer Ahead of 2026 World Cup
U.S. Soccer announced on Tuesday that sporting director Matt Crocker will step down just two months before the highly anticipated 2026 World Cup. The move was first reported by Fox Sports and later confirmed by The Guardian, with Crocker reportedly taking on a similar role at the Saudi Football Federation.
U.S. Soccer Plans Transition of Responsibilities
In its announcement, U.S. Soccer stated that Crocker’s responsibilities will be shared among several key figures, including chief operating officer Dan Helfrich, assistant athletic director Oguchi Onyewu, and women’s national youth team development director Tracy Kevins, along with the broader sports leadership team.
CEO Highlights Contributions and Future Directions
JT Batson, U.S. Soccer’s CEO, expressed gratitude for Crocker’s work, noting that he has played a crucial role in important advancements within the organization. Batson emphasized the federation’s commitment to building the right structures to ensure future success in both the short and long term.
Crocker’s Tenure Follows a Notable Background in Football
Crocker joined U.S. Soccer in 2023 after replacing former sporting director Ernie Stewart, who moved to PSV Eindhoven. Before his tenure in the U.S., Crocker garnered recognition for his work in player development as the technical director at Southampton and was instrumental in modernizing the England national team’s gameplay from 2013 to 2020.
Major Decisions Shaping National Team Operations
As sporting director, Crocker held significant authority over the operations of all U.S. national teams, particularly in establishing the youth divisions for both the men’s and women’s programs. His most visible responsibility involved hiring head coaches for the senior teams.
Controversial Coaching Choices and Their Outcomes
During his tenure, Crocker made pivotal coaching decisions. Notably, he reappointed Greg Berhalter as the manager of the Men’s National Team after a tumultuous period that included an internal investigation surrounding allegations connected with the team. Despite the federation’s claims of a thorough international search, Berhalter’s second stint ended with a disappointing early exit in the group stage of the 2024 Copa America.
New Leadership for U.S. Men’s and Women’s Teams
Crocker’s marquee hire to replace Berhalter, Mauricio Pochettino, was brought on board at the end of 2024, aiming to lead the U.S. to its most successful World Cup yet. Under Pochettino’s management, the national team has recorded 10 wins, one draw, and seven losses, with recent losses against Belgium and Portugal in March raising concerns.
Women’s Program Sees Positive Change
On the women’s side, Crocker appointed Emma Hayes from Chelsea following Vlatko Andonovski’s departure after the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Hayes steered the U.S. Women’s National Team to an Olympic gold medal in 2024, positioning them strongly for the upcoming 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Crocker expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to be part of U.S. Soccer during such a pivotal time for soccer in America. Meanwhile, the Saudi Arabian national team faces its own challenges as coaching changes loom ahead of the World Cup.
