US Soccer appoints former defender Oguchi Onyewu as VP of sporting

The US Soccer Federation has hired former defender Oguchi Onyewu as vice president of sporting - a newly created role in the organization.

Onyewu previously played in various leagues throughout his career such as the Premier League, La Liga, and Eridivisie while recording 69 appearances for the USMNT. Now, he looks to use his experiences as a player to assist new sporting director Matt Crocker in key decisions regarding soccer in the United States.

"We are thrilled to welcome Oguchi Onyewu to our team at U.S. Soccer," Crocker stated in a release. "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."

As a former player, Matt Crocker will look to lean on Onyewu's judgement in their search for the new head coach of the USMNT. With the US co-hosting the 2026 World Cup with Mexico and Canada, finding the right head coach couldn't be more important.

Onyewu will also work within US Soccer's development department to help push for increased funding for the extended and youth national teams. His involvement with the youth programs is no surprise as he is the president and founder of G.O. Global, a non-profit organization that helps young people by promoting fitness, health and wellness in every-day routines.

"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," Onyewu said. "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."