Former USMNT player Landon Donovan is "seriously considering running for U.S. Soccer President," according to Grant Wahl of SI.com. Donovan has been "asked by a number of respected figures in American soccer to contemplate running." They are concerned about current U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati "continuing to control decisions on the technical side -- including hiring head coaches -- and think Donovan is better qualified to handle the soccer aspects of the job." Donovan's potential candidacy "would be a game-changer" in the USSF presidential campaign. Boston-based attorney Steve Gans has "received the required three letters of nomination that he needs to be an official candidate in the February election." Gulati is expected to "run for his fourth term," though he "refused to confirm he would run again in addressing reporters last week." He did admit he had "reached out to constituents about endorsing him or nominating him in recent weeks." Meanwhile, Wahl notes the USSF's current financial surplus "has been reported to be around" $100M following the success of the '16 Copa America Centenario. But a source said that the "actual number on the surplus is significantly higher" and could be between $130M-140M. While a "significant portion of that surplus needs to be kept in reserve, U.S. Soccer has yet to decide on what to spend the rest of that money" (SI.com, 10/18). ESPN FC's Jeff Carlisle noted Massachusetts-based businessman and soccer coach Paul Lapointe has expressed "intentions to run" for USSF President, and former USMNT player and FS1 soccer analyst Eric Wynalda also is reportedly "considering joining the race" (ESPNFC.com, 10/18).
READY FOR THE JOB? YAHOO SPORTS' Henry Bushnell wrote Donovan is "very unqualified" for the "specific functions that Gulati has preformed." He has "never done much of what Gulati has done over the past 12 years." However, there are "functions Gulati has not served that Donovan could." Donovan would "presumably take an increased interest in mending a dysfunctional youth system." He is not "necessarily more qualified than [someone] like Gulati or Gans to implement youth reform or better the quality and quantity of coaches at all levels." But Donovan would "presumably prioritize the best interests of the sport in the U.S. over other interests, such as money." A central criticism of Gulati is that he has "tended to lean in the other direction." But money "isn’t unimportant either." Under Gulati, the USSF has been "able to make boatloads of it." The problem is that "his role has been far too all-encompassing." If Donovan were to "take on the same responsibilities Gulati did, it would probably be too all-encompassing for him, too" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 10/18).
TWITTER REAX: FS1's Alexi Lalas tweeted, "I have no idea yet what @landondonovan (potentially) wants to do. But I’ll support anyone who can convince me that they have a better way." AmericanSoccerNow.com's Brian Sciaretta: "I like seeing people who have given so much to the sport possibly stepping up. Curious to know his platform and vision for the federation." Futhead.com's Luke Zimmermann: "Other than being good at soccer, what has Landon Donovan ever done or said to make us think he would be good at being US Soccer President?" ESPNFC.com's Jason Davis: "The only bad thing about Eric Wynalda and Landon Donovan maybe running for US Soccer president is that we don't get televised debates."
THERE IS ANOTHER TEAM TO FOLLOW: In New Orleans, Jeff Duncan notes the USWNT is "carrying the torch for American soccer" with the men's team out of the World Cup. The women's team actually has been "leading the charge for a while now." It is the "most successful soccer team in the world, regardless of gender," and the players have "earned the right to be the face of American soccer ... through their commitment and achievement" (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 10/19).
