Matt Crocker’s exit comes at strange time for U.S. Soccer

U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker has officially stepped down from his role, and while it won’t have too much affect on the upcoming FIFA World Cup in North America, the optics are negative no matter which way you look at it.

Crocker is reportedly set to take up a similar role with the Saudi Arabia Football Federation, ending a three-year stay with U.S. Soccer. The Welsh-born Crocker did help U.S. Soccer make some major moves during his time as sporting director, but ultimately his departure at this stage of 2026 is shocking.

Crocker was influential in the design of the federation’s new $200 million+ training facility in Fayetteville, Georgia. He helped in the rehiring process of former U.S. men’s national team head coach Gregg Berhalter following U.S. Soccer’s investigation into Berhalter after the 2022 World Cup.

Current USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino and USWNT head coach Emma Hayes were both hired during the Crocker-era, which will go down as arguable the biggest signings made by U.S. Soccer for those respective roles.

Hayes has helped the USWNT get back on track, winning the Gold Medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics and compete for the No. 1 ranking in the world. Pochettino has helped the USMNT pick up some key results in the build-up to their World Cup schedule this June, highlighted by victories over Uruguay, Paraguay, Japan, and Australia.

However, despite Crocker’s previous press conference comments about U.S. Soccer’s growth for the future, he is leaving the federation for a potential World Cup knockout stage opponent.

Saudi Arabia has garnered plenty of coverage over recent years given the large amounts of money that they have paid players and managers alike for moving to their Pro League. From Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema to Riyad Mahrez and Sadio Mane, there has been zero shortage of international talent in the Pro League, and it doesn’t look to be stopping anytime soon.

In addition, Saudi Arabia will play host to the 2034 FIFA World Cup, bringing the international soccer community back to the Middle East for the second time in the last four editions (Qatar 2022). After already having World Cup preparation experience with U.S. Soccer, Crocker will now be tasked with doing the same for Saudi Arabia, who will want to grow into a contending nation by the time 2034 rolls around.

While there is some understanding to why Crocker would want a new long-term challenge, his departure is not a good look for him or U.S. Soccer at this moment in time, and one major question will continue to be asked; why?