U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker departs two months ahead of World Cup

U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker has left his position with immediate effect, the federation announced on Tuesday, April 14.

According to Fox Sports, Crocker is leaving to take up a similar position with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.

Crocker leaves three years after he joined U.S. Soccer from Southampton FC. He has been in charge of overseeing U.S. Soccer’s entire sporting department, including the men’s and women’s national team programs, youth national teams, and the extended national teams.

Assistant sporting director Oguchi Onyewu, head of women's development Tracey Kevins and chief operating officer Dan Helfrich will assume Crocker's duties in his absence.

“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.”

Weston McKennie of United States and Samu Costa of Portugal compete for the ball during the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

Christian Pulisic of United States controls the ball during the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

Vitinha of Portugal passes against Alex Freeman of United States during the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

Timothy Weah of United States controls the ball during the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

Mauricio Pochettino greets Roberto Martinez, Head Coach of Portugal, right, prior to the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

Bruno Fernandes of Portugal is challenged by Auston Trusty of United States during the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta.

Aidan Morris of United States is challenged by Joao Cancelo of Portugal during the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

Mauricio Pochettino looks on prior to the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

Sebastian Berhalter of United States passes whilst under pressure from Goncalo Ramos of Portugal during the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

Fans of United States cheer prior to the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

Players of United States form a huddle prior to the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

Players of United States and Belgium line up prior to the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

Belgium's Jeremy Doku (11) controls the ball against the USA at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 28, 2026.

USA's Christian Pulisic (10) controls the ball against Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 28, 2026.

USA's Weston McKennie (8) scores a goal against Belgium during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 28, 2026.

Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere (17) scores a goal on a penalty kick against the USA at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 28, 2026.

Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere (17) reacts Wirth teammates after scoring a goal on a penalty kick against the USA at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 28, 2026.

USA soccer fans shown during the match against Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 28, 2026.

Amadou Onana #24 of Belgium is challenged by Malik Tillman #17 of the United States during the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

Belgium's Dodi Lukebakio (14) scores a goal against the USA during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 28, 2026.

Weston McKennie of the United States celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

A fan of United States with face paint looks on during the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

USA's Mark McKenzie (22) and Belgium's Lois Openda (9) fight for the ball at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 28, 2026.

Dodi Lukebakio #14 of Belgium celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal with teammate Jeremy Doku #11 during the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

Nathan Ngoy #20 of Belgium is challenged by Sebastian Berhalter #14 of the United States during the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

Dodi Lukebakio #14 of Belgium scores his team's fifth goal during the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

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See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies

Weston McKennie of United States and Samu Costa of Portugal compete for the ball during the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

1 / 26

See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies

Weston McKennie of United States and Samu Costa of Portugal compete for the ball during the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

2 / 26

See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies

Christian Pulisic of United States controls the ball during the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

3 / 26

See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies

Vitinha of Portugal passes against Alex Freeman of United States during the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

4 / 26

See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies

Timothy Weah of United States controls the ball during the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

5 / 26

See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies

Mauricio Pochettino greets Roberto Martinez, Head Coach of Portugal, right, prior to the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

6 / 26

See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies

Bruno Fernandes of Portugal is challenged by Auston Trusty of United States during the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta.

7 / 26

See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies

Aidan Morris of United States is challenged by Joao Cancelo of Portugal during the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

8 / 26

See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies

Mauricio Pochettino looks on prior to the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

9 / 26

See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies

Sebastian Berhalter of United States passes whilst under pressure from Goncalo Ramos of Portugal during the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

10 / 26

See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies

Fans of United States cheer prior to the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

11 / 26

See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies

Players of United States form a huddle prior to the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

12 / 26

See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies

Players of United States and Belgium line up prior to the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

13 / 26

See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies

Belgium's Jeremy Doku (11) controls the ball against the USA at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 28, 2026.

14 / 26

See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies

USA's Christian Pulisic (10) controls the ball against Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 28, 2026.

15 / 26

See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies

USA's Weston McKennie (8) scores a goal against Belgium during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 28, 2026.

16 / 26

See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies

Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere (17) scores a goal on a penalty kick against the USA at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 28, 2026.

17 / 26

See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies

Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere (17) reacts Wirth teammates after scoring a goal on a penalty kick against the USA at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 28, 2026.

18 / 26

See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies

USA soccer fans shown during the match against Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 28, 2026.

19 / 26

See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies

Amadou Onana #24 of Belgium is challenged by Malik Tillman #17 of the United States during the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

20 / 26

See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies

Belgium's Dodi Lukebakio (14) scores a goal against the USA during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 28, 2026.

21 / 26

See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies

Weston McKennie of the United States celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

22 / 26

See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies

A fan of United States with face paint looks on during the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

23 / 26

See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies

USA's Mark McKenzie (22) and Belgium's Lois Openda (9) fight for the ball at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 28, 2026.

24 / 26

See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies

Dodi Lukebakio #14 of Belgium celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal with teammate Jeremy Doku #11 during the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

25 / 26

See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies

Nathan Ngoy #20 of Belgium is challenged by Sebastian Berhalter #14 of the United States during the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

26 / 26

See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies

Dodi Lukebakio #14 of Belgium scores his team's fifth goal during the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

Though Crocker is leaving just two months before the United States serves as a World Cup co-host, the federation insisted that his departure will have no effect on preparations.

"World Cup preparations for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup and 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup continue under head coaches Mauricio Pochettino and Emma Hayes, who maintain full authority over team performance and tournament preparation," U.S. Soccer said in a release.

"Plans for the men’s World Cup have been long established and will not see any adjustments as a result of this transition. Both coaches and their technical staff remain focused on their work, with full support from federation leadership."

Crocker's biggest moves during his tenure include the recruitment of Pochettino and Hayes, who led the USWNT to an Olympic gold medal just months after she took over in 2024.

"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.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Matt Crocker leaves US Soccer sporting director role