US Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker Exits for Saudi Arabia Position
In a significant development just weeks before the 2026 World Cup, US Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker is departing his role to assume a similar position with the Saudi Arabia football federation. The announcement was made by US Soccer on Tuesday, confirming earlier reports from Fox Sports regarding Crocker's career move.
Restructuring Leadership Amidst World Cup Preparations
With Crocker's departure imminent, US Soccer has outlined a temporary leadership structure to manage sporting operations. Chief operating officer Dan Helfrich will share responsibilities with assistant sporting director Oguchi Onyewu and women's youth national team head of development Tracey Kevins, supported by the broader sporting leadership team.
"Matt helped guide important steps across our sporting organization, and we're grateful for his contributions," stated US Soccer CEO JT Batson. "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."
Crocker's Impact on US Soccer Programs
Crocker joined US Soccer in 2023 following the departure of previous sporting director Earnie Stewart to PSV Eindhoven. His background included extensive experience in English football, where he served as technical director at Southampton and later with England's national team from 2013-2020, earning recognition for modernizing player development systems.
During his tenure with US Soccer, Crocker exercised comprehensive oversight of all national team operations, including youth programs for both men's and women's divisions. His most visible responsibilities involved the recruitment of senior team managers, resulting in several high-profile appointments.
Managerial Decisions and Team Performance
Crocker's initial major decision involved the controversial rehiring of Gregg Berhalter as USMNT manager after the federation allowed his contract to expire amid investigations involving domestic violence allegations and conflicts with player Gio Reyna's family. The federation described employing "advanced data analytics, sophisticated metrics, and cutting-edge hiring methods" in this process, though Berhalter's second tenure concluded with disappointing group stage elimination at the 2024 Copa América.
Crocker's most notable acquisition came with the hiring of Mauricio Pochettino as Berhalter's replacement at the end of 2024. Pochettino's current record stands at 10 wins, 1 draw, and 7 losses across 16 matches, including recent March friendly defeats against Belgium and Portugal.
On the women's side, Crocker successfully recruited Emma Hayes from Chelsea following Vlatko Andonovski's departure after the 2023 Women's World Cup. Hayes subsequently led the USWNT to Olympic gold in 2024 and has positioned the team strongly for the upcoming 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil.
Transition and Future Prospects
"It has been a privilege to be part of US Soccer during such an important period for the sport in this country," Crocker remarked. "I'm grateful for the people I've had the opportunity to work with across the federation, from our coaches and players to our technical and administrative staff."
Crocker's move to Saudi Arabia coincides with significant restructuring within their national soccer program ahead of the World Cup. Reports indicate head coach Hervé Renard will no longer lead the team, while technical director Nasser Larguet is expected to step down from the position he has held since 2022.
This leadership transition occurs during a critical period for US Soccer as the organization prepares to co-host the 2026 World Cup, requiring strategic continuity and decisive management to capitalize on home advantage and achieve competitive success on the global stage.
