Matt Crocker stepped down as sporting director of the US Soccer Federation exactly two months ago Tuesday world cupTo take a new job in Saudi Arabia.
The USSF said Crocker was leaving to pursue an undisclosed international soccer opportunity, and a person familiar with the decision, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because Crocker’s new job has not been announced, said he will work in Saudi Arabia. He was appointed by the Saudi Arabian Federation First reported by Fox.
Crocker’s departure was a surprise, as the US co-hosts the World Cup starting on June 11 and men’s coach Mauricio Pochettino’s contract expires after the tournament. The USSF will open its 200-acre, 17-field training center and office complex in Fayetteville, Georgia, an Atlanta suburb, next month.
Dan Helfrich, appointed as the U.S. federation’s chief operating officer in November, will “provide executive oversight and support in the federation’s sports operations,” the USSF said in a statement. Helfrich will work alongside assistant sporting director Oguchi Onuwu – a former national team defender – and women’s youth national team head of development Tracy Kevins.
Crocker, 51, was appointed by the USSF in April 2023 after serving as Southampton’s director of football since February 2020.
Crocker oversaw the decision to re-hire Greg Berhalter as men’s coach in June 2023, with Berhalter being fired in July 2024 after a first-round exit. Copa America And the hiring of Pochettino in September.
She also recommended the appointment of Emma Hayes as coach of the women’s national team in the spring of 2024. Hayes led the women’s team to an Olympic gold medal.
