The United States men’s soccer team has been rocked by the news that Matt Crocker, the sporting director, has walked out on his job just two months before the World Cup.
In an extraordinary twist, Crocker has left to take up a lucrative role with the Saudi Arabia national team who are also competing in the tournament this summer.
In the process, he causes a huge headache for USA soccer chiefs less than two months out from taking center stage as the host nation of the competition they have been building up to for years.
Crocker, who is Welsh, took the sporting director job in 2023 and played a pivotal role in hiring Mauricio Pochettino as the coach for the World Cup. But now, he will join the Saudi team that will also be playing in the competition.
‘Just when I thought the United States Soccer Federation couldn’t get more bat crap crazy, this happens,’ Alexi Lalas said Tuesday morning on his podcast.
‘It’s a really bad look, not just for the federation, but at a time when soccer can’t afford to be having these bad looks. This is the leader, the architect for what is going to be on display this summer on the field and he’s not going to be there.
Matt Crocker (second left) has left his USA sporting director role before the World Cup
‘Not only is he not going to be there, but he is going to be with another competing team at the World Cup. It just seems very weird.’
In a statement on Tuesday, US Soccer simply said Crocker was departing ‘to pursue another opportunity in international soccer.’
Crocker said: ‘It has been a privilege to be part of U.S. Soccer during such an important period for the sport in this country.
‘I’m proud of what’s been built together and confident the team in place will continue to move the game forward and drive success on and off the field.’
Pochettino’s USA team play theri first World Cup game in Los Angeles against Paraguay on June 12.
They then meet Australia in Seattle on June 19 and round out the group stage with an encounter against Turkey, back in LA.
US Soccer added in their statement that a number of people will cover Crocker’s absence ahead in the coming weeks.
‘Chief Operating Officer Dan Helfrich will provide executive oversight and support across the Federation’s sporting operations, working closely with Assistant Sporting Director Oguchi Onyewu, and Head of Development for the Women’s Youth National Team Tracey Kevins and the broader sporting leadership team, ensuring continuity,’ they said.
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