US Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker is leaving his post with less than two months to go until the 2026 World Cup, US Soccer announced on Tuesday. This sudden departure comes as a surprise to many, especially given the timing so close to the highly anticipated tournament that the United States is co-hosting. According to The Guardian, which confirmed Fox Sports’ earlier reporting, Crocker is moving to a similar role with the Saudi Arabia football federation, marking a significant change in the landscape of American soccer leadership.
The Role and Impact of Matt Crocker at US Soccer
Matt Crocker’s tenure at US Soccer began in 2023, stepping in to fill the shoes of Earnie Stewart, who left for a comparable role at PSV Eindhoven. Crocker brought with him extensive experience from English football, notably as technical director at Southampton and in a key developmental role with the England national team from 2013 to 2020. His mandate in those roles was to modernize playing styles and enhance player development, skills he was expected to apply within the broad remit he held at US Soccer.
As sporting director, Crocker’s responsibilities were wide-ranging. He oversaw operations across all U.S. national teams, including both men’s and women’s youth programs. One of his most visible duties was the hiring and management of head coaches for the national teams. These decisions are critical, as they directly impact the competitiveness and success of the teams on the international stage.
Key Coaching Decisions Under Crocker’s Leadership
During his time with US Soccer, Crocker made two significant hires for the men’s national team. His first major action was the controversial decision to rehire Gregg Berhalter. The federation had allowed Berhalter’s previous contract to expire and even launched an investigation related to complex issues involving Gio Reyna’s situation and allegations concerning Berhalter’s personal life. Despite this drama, Crocker and US Soccer conducted a global search for a new manager but ultimately chose to bring Berhalter back, using “advanced data analytics, sophisticated metrics, and cutting-edge hiring methods,” according to the federation.
Unfortunately for Berhalter, his second tenure ended in disappointment with the USMNT’s early exit at the group stage of the 2024 Copa América. Following this, Crocker made his most high-profile coaching hire: Mauricio Pochettino. Pochettino joined at the end of 2024 with the ambitious goal of leading the U.S. to its best-ever World Cup finish on home soil. In the 16 games played under his guidance so far, the team’s performance has been a mix of 10 wins, a draw, and 7 losses, including recent friendlies against strong European sides Belgium and Portugal.
Advancing the Women’s Program: Emma Hayes’ Hiring and Success
On the women’s side, Crocker also made a significant impact by hiring Emma Hayes away from Chelsea late in 2023. Hayes replaced Vlatko Andonovski, who stepped down following a disappointing performance by the USWNT at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Under Hayes’ leadership, the team quickly bounced back, securing Olympic gold in 2024. This success has the USWNT poised and confident as they prepare for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, signaling a bright future for women’s soccer in the United States.
What’s Next for US Soccer After Crocker’s Departure?
With Matt Crocker’s exit just weeks before the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off, US Soccer has quickly moved to fill the void. Rather than naming an immediate replacement, the organization announced that Crocker’s duties will be shared among existing leadership: chief operating officer Dan Helfrich, assistant sporting director Oguchi Onyewu, women’s youth national team head of development Tracey Kevins, and the broader sporting leadership team. This distributed approach aims to maintain stability and continuity as the nation gears up for what promises to be a landmark event.
JT Batson, US Soccer’s CEO, expressed gratitude for Crocker’s contributions, stating, “Matt helped guide important steps across our sporting organization, and we’re grateful for his contributions. We will continue building the right structure for the future, and we’re well positioned to make the decisions needed in the short, medium, and long term.”
Final Thoughts on Matt Crocker’s Legacy and Departure
Matt Crocker’s departure from US Soccer at such a critical juncture highlights the dynamic and sometimes unpredictable nature of sports administration. His time with the federation saw pivotal hires, challenges, and successes, especially notable in his ability to attract top coaching talent to both the men’s and women’s programs. As US Soccer navigates the next few months, the foundation he helped build will be tested on the world stage in the 2026 World Cup.
