Oguchi Onyewu named U.S. Soccer’s Vice President of Sporting

The front office changes within U.S. Soccer continued on Wednesday with a former U.S. men’s national team player making the move to a new role.

Oguchi Onyewu has been named the federation’s new Vice President of Sporting, U.S. Soccer announced. The 40-year-old will work closely with U.S. Soccer’s Sporting Director Matt Crocker in supporting all sporting initiatives within the federation. Reporting to Crocker, Onyewu will also play a prominent role in managing relationships with clubs and leagues in the United States and across the world.

One of Onyewu’s key responsibilities will be to assist Crocker with the hiring of the next U.S. men’s national team head coach. He will also work closely with U.S. Soccer’s Development Department to help drive increased funding for Youth and Extended National Teams.

“We are thrilled to welcome Oguchi Onyewu to our team at U.S. Soccer,” said Crocker. “His experience as a player and sports executive, coupled with his deep understanding of U.S. Soccer, Oguchi will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our sporting initiatives. We all look forward to working closely with him.”

Onyewu is a former member of U.S. Soccer Board of Directors, having been elected to the Athletes Council and serving since 2021 before stepping down this past week to take this new position at U.S. Soccer.

A former 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cup veteran, Onyewu earned 69 caps for the USMNT in a 10-year international career. He was voted the 2006 U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year and lifted the Concacaf Gold Cup three times.

Onyewu was also voted to the Gold Cup Best XI squad in 2005. At club level, Onyewu played in seven different countries including England, Italy, the U.S. and Belgium.

“I am incredibly excited to take on this new challenge and work with Matt and the rest of the U.S. Soccer team to help shape the future of soccer in this country,” said Onyewu. “As a former player, I understand firsthand the importance of investing in our youth and building a strong foundation for the future. I look forward to working with the Men’s and Women’s Senior Teams, Youth National Teams and Extended National Teams to help support and grow our talented pool of players and identify and develop the next generation.”