US Soccer sporting director leaves post 2 months before World Cup

Matt Crocker is leaving his position as U.S. Soccer Federation’s sporting director to pursue what the organization labeled on Tuesday as “another opportunity in international soccer.”

Fox Sports reported that Crocker was taking a similar role with Saudi Arabia.

The move, which is effective immediately, comes approximately two months ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Per the U.S. Soccer Federation, chief operating officer Dan Helfrich will provide executive oversight and support across the sporting operations and work closely with assistant sporting director Oguchi Onyewu and head of women’s development Tracey Kevins.

“Over the past several years, U.S. Soccer has grown significantly across every part of our sporting organization, and we thank Matt for the role he played in that progress,” said JT Batson, U.S. Soccer CEO and secretary general. “Matt helped guide important steps across our sporting organization, and we’re grateful for his contributions. We’re confident in our strategy, leadership team, coaches, and technical staff. 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 has spent nearly the last three years in his position with the U.S. Soccer Federation, notably helping recruit women’s national team coach Emma Hayes and men’s coach Mauricio Pochettino.

“It has been a privilege to be part of U.S. Soccer during such an important period for the sport in this country,” Crocker said. “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. 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.”

The U.S. men kick off World Cup group play against Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles. The Americans will also play Australia on June 19 in Seattle and Turkey on June 25 back in Los Angeles.

“I anticipate zero impact on World Cup preparation as a result of Matt’s decision,” Helfrich told Fox Sports 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.”

Nasser Larguet is expected to leave his position as Saudi Arabia’s technical director this month, multiple media outlets reported.

“If you’re going to compete at the highest levels in the sporting world, you expect that team members will have other opportunities,” Helfrich told Fox Sports. “Soccer in our country and the federation overall are in a better place than several years ago when Matt joined, and we’re grateful to him for those contributions.”

–Field Level Media