U.S. Soccer CEO Search Ongoing, Hire Expected In Coming Months

The U.S. Soccer Federation's latest board meeting "didn't produce the dramatic headlines some outsiders had hoped for," as there was "no announcement of a new CEO to replace the retiring Dan Flynn" or of a new USWNT coach to succeed Jill Ellis, according to Jonathan Tannenwald of the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER. USSF Chief Commercial & Strategy Officer Jay Berhalter said that as of July 31, the fiscal year's revenues from national team games were $3.7M "below the projected budget figure, and marketing and sponsorship revenues were $289,000 short." Berhalter is the "leading candidate to replace Flynn." He is "unpopular with the fan base but is a Federation veteran and reportedly Flynn's choice." Saturday's board meeting "appeared to be Flynn's last," as many board members "thanked him for his service." MLS Commissioner Don Garber "let it slip that Flynn is headed to the St. Louis MLS expansion team." Garber joked to Flynn, "I look forward to you yelling at me all the time in your new role." Tannenwald noted there are "outside candidates to replace Flynn, but they've stayed quiet." The lid "will likely come off by U.S. Soccer's next board meeting," set for Dec. 6-7 in Chicago. Meanwhile, the "most notable stat raised Saturday" came from USSF Chief Stakeholders Officer Brian Remedi. In "reviewing the Women's World Cup impact, he cited U.S. fans buying 145,000 tickets to games" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 9/8).