Report: Matt Crocker to leave U.S. Soccer for Saudi Arabia role

U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker has stepped down from his role for a new opportunity in Saudi Arabia. 

Crocker, 50, has left his current role and will take up a similar role with the Saudi Arabia Football Federation, U.S. Soccer announced Tuesday. Assistant sporting director Oguchi Onyewu, head of women’s development Tracey Kevins and USSF’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) Dan Helfrich will assume Crocker’s duties in the lead-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The news comes after Saudi Arabia technical director Nasser Larguet has been linked with an exit from his role. Larguet has served in his role since 2002 and has helped Saudi Arabia begin planning for hosting the 2034 World Cup. 

“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 joined U.S. Soccer from then-English Premier League side Southampton after serving as the club’s technical director on two separate occasions. The Welsh-born Crocker also served in a same role within the English FA from 2013-20 before returning to Saints for the next three years. 

Crocker was influential in several key decisions involving the U.S. men’s and women’s national teams during his time with the federation.

He rehired former USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter after his contract expired at the conclusion of the 2022 World Cup. Berhalter was later fired after the 2024 Copa America, where the USMNT were eliminated in the group stage. 

Crocker helped U.S. Soccer hire Mauricio Pochettino as USMNT head coach, a role that the Argentine has served in since September 2024. Pochettino has registered a 13-2-9 record in 24 matches across all competitions. 

In addition, Crocker and U.S. Soccer’s front office hired Emma Hayes as USWNT head coach in November 2023. Hayes officially began in her role in May 2024 and led the USWNT to a Gold Medal at the Olympic Games that summer. 

She has won 31 of her 36 matches in charge of the USWNT across all competitions. 

“It has been a privilege to be part of U.S. Soccer during such an important period for the sport in this country,” said Crocker. “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 USMNT will begin World Cup play on June 12 while the USWNT will begin their World Cup Qualifying schedule later this Fall at the CONCACAF W Championship.