A turbulent year for U.S. Soccer just got a lot stranger. And the timing couldn’t be worse.
According to a report by FOX Sports, Matt Crocker, the sporting director for U.S. Soccer, has left his position with immediate effect to take on a similar role with Saudi Arabia.
The stunning job change comes just 60 days out from the opening match of World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and 61 days out from the USMNT’s curtain-raiser against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
The bizarre move and the timing — two months before arguably the biggest moment in the program’s history — caught USMNT insiders, such as former player and polarizing commentator Alexi Lalas, off guard.
“Just when I thought that the United States Soccer Federation couldn’t get anymore bat crap crazy, this happens,” Lalas said on his “State of the Union” podcast.
“This is the leader and the architect of what is going to be on display this summer on the field and he’s not going to be there. Not only is he not going to be there, evidently he’s going to be with a competing team in the World Cup.”
The only part of the story that wasn’t surprising is Crocker’s destination.
Saudi Arabia has spent the last decade pouring money into its state-run sports portfolio, the Public Investment Fund (PIF). The Saudis have acquired Premier League clubs, started renegade golf tours, and attracted massive title fights in UFC and boxing in recent years. This move is with an eye to the 2034 World Cup, which will take place in Saudi Arabia.
Crocker came across the pond with an impressive resume in tow. He bookended a seven-year run as the technical director of England with stints in the same role at Southampton before joining U.S. Soccer in 2023.
The Welshman was lauded for his efforts to successfully recruit Mauricio Pochettino, who served as manager at Southampton under Crocker, to take over as coach of the Men’s National Team, as well as Emma Hayes to take over the same role for the Women’s Team.
Crocker’s high-profile hire was seen as a coup for U.S. Soccer at the time, but the waters have been choppy in the build-up to this summer’s showpiece, both on the field and off of it.
Crocker’s decision to leave his post has also increased speculation that Pochettino has his eye on the exit after the tournament.
A permanent replacement will be announced in due time, but the program will be led on an interim basis by assistant sporting director Oguchi Onyewu, head of women’s development Tracey Kevins and COO Dan Helfrich.
That trio will assume Crocker’s duties for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“I anticipate zero impact on World Cup preparation as a result of Matt’s decision,” Helfrich told McIntyre on Monday. “Mauricio and his staff have full control of the preparations for this summer’s tournament, and we have full confidence in them. This transition in no way impacts those plans, which have been long-established.”
