United States Soccer Federation president Carlos Cordeiro expects to fill the newly created position of general manager for the men's national team "in the coming weeks."
The position is expected to oversee all technical aspects of the senior team, including the hiring of the next coach. A similar position has been created on the women's side but with the managerial post vacant, the focus has been on filling the men's position first.
Sources earlier confirmed that current Philadelphia Union sporting director Earnie Stewart and former New York Red Bulls sporting director Ali Curtis have interviewed for the position.
The USSF also announced that it has created two new board-level committees, as well as a restructuring of senior management.
Update from US Soccer, including reforms to improve oversight and accountability and to serve our members better. Working together, we can take soccer in America to new heights! #AimHigher pic.twitter.com/tL82c0c7b3
- Carlos Cordeiro (@CACSoccer) April 19, 2018
The Technical Development Committee will provide "board-level understanding of soccer operations within the USSF" and will be co-chaired by USSF board members and former national team players Carlos Bocanegra and Angela Hucles.
The Commercial Committee will provide oversight to U.S. Soccer's commercial activities and lend assistance with an in-depth analysis of the organization's future plans, in particular, the dynamic media rights and sponsorship landscape. Cordeiro stated that the committee will be chaired by a new independent board member that will replace Donna Shalala, whose term expired in February.
"These changes will empower the Board to play a greater role in all federation activities, and reflects our ongoing commitment to improve oversight and accountability and serve all our members," said Cordeiro. "By involving board members earlier in the decision-making process, we can more effectively utilize the available expertise, build consensus and improve the effectiveness of the federation."
The USSF also announced the naming of eight chief officers who act as liaisons between USSF staff and the board of directors. In terms of soccer operations, Nico Romeijn moves from the head of coaching education to the Chief Sport Development Officer, overseeing all technical areas. Ryan Mooney will serve as Chief Soccer Officer and will coordinate the administrative needs on the technical side.
The remaining six officers that were named as are as follows: Brian Remedi will serve as the USSF's Chief Stakeholders Officer and manage the Membership Department. Tanya Wallach will serve as U.S. Soccer's Chief Talent and Inclusion Officer. Jay Berhalter (Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer), Neil Buethe (Chief Communications Officer), Eric Gleason (Chief Financial Officer) and Lydia Wahlke (Chief Legal Counsel) will continue their senior roles and report directly to the CEO.
The changes come two days after former men's national team coach Bruce Arena called for improvement at the organizational level of U.S. soccer, saying "technical" soccer knowledge was now required to help the sport grow, rather than business acumen.