dailyloe.com – U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker is departing his role immediately for a similar position with Saudi Arabia. Multiple sources confirmed the move on Monday, April 14, 2026. His duties will be assumed by assistant sporting director Oguchi Onyewu, head of women’s development Tracey Kevins, and COO Dan Helfrich. This transition comes ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico this summer.
Matt Crocker was responsible for hiring key national team coaches during his tenure. He successfully recruited U.S. women’s national team coach Emma Hayes and men’s coach Mauricio Pochettino. Crocker arrived from then-English Premier League club Southampton in 2023. He served as the U.S. Soccer Federation’s chief on-field executive for almost three years.
Under his leadership, Emma Hayes promptly led the women’s team to its fifth gold medal. This victory occurred at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Crocker also secured the hiring of men’s coach Mauricio Pochettino in September 2024. Pochettino is considered one of the top managers globally following stints at Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.
The U.S. men’s national team begins its World Cup campaign on June 12 against Paraguay. The match will be held in Los Angeles. U.S. Soccer COO Dan Helfrich addressed the impact of Crocker’s departure. He gave an exclusive interview on Monday regarding the transition.
“I anticipate zero impact on World Cup preparation as a result of Matt’s decision,” Helfrich said. “Mauricio and his staff have full control of the preparations for this summer’s tournament, and we have full confidence in them.” Helfrich stated the transition does not impact long-established plans. He emphasized the coaching staff’s authority over tournament preparations.
Helfrich added that U.S. Soccer has started a search for Crocker’s successor. The search is described as thoughtful and comprehensive. “I anticipate we will look both domestically and globally in that process,” he said. The organization is considering candidates from within the United States and internationally.
Assistant sporting director Oguchi Onyewu was a candidate for the sporting director role three years ago. That job ultimately went to Matt Crocker. Onyewu is a former USA defender who represented the team at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups. He will now help assume Crocker’s duties in the interim.
Matt Crocker was originally hired in April 2023. He replaced Earnie Stewart, who left to take over Dutch club PSV Eindhoven. Stewart is a three-time World Cup participant and National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee. Crocker, a native of Cardiff, Wales, then began his work with U.S. Soccer.[]
Source: FOX Sports
