Matt Crocker's departure as Sporting Director on April 14, 2026, created a leadership vacuum just two months before the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off
While U.S. Soccer officials insist that the immediate impact on tournament preparation is minimal, the move has drawn significant criticism for its timing and potential long-term impact.
In a recent segment of his show Unleashed, Eric Wynalda didn't hold back on the current state of U.S. Soccer. While the departure of Crocker just months before the World Cup is a major blow, Wynalda suggests a much bigger shock is waiting in the wings.
Eric Wynalda Questions Pochettino's Future
According to Wynalda, the real "sting" will come immediately following the tournament.
"If you think this stings that Matt Crocker left us two months before a World Cup, two minutes after the World Cup is over, we'll find out where Mauricio Pochettino has already agreed to coach."
Photo by John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images
He claims that USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure is essentially a short-term arrangement, alleging that the U.S. Soccer Federation isn't even the one footing his bill.
Instead, Wynalda suggests that private ‘pseudo-owners’ are subsidizing Pochettino's salary, leaving the manager with little to no loyalty to the federation itself.
"But let's face it, we've been played. That's how this works. We actually have a manager, Mauricio Pochettino, who the U.S. Soccer Federation isn't even paying for. He's got relationships with billionaires, and they have influence on his decision-making, by the way. That's why he loves the movie Miracle."
"But the truth is, the U.S. Soccer Federation isn't paying Mauricio Pochettino. There's, I don't know, pseudo-owners who are subsidizing his salary. What does he owe the U.S. Soccer Federation? Nothing. He's doing a job."
Wynalda ended by suggesting that the recent leadership changes are only the beginning of a larger shift.
"And by the way, if you think this stings that Matt Crocker left us two months before a World Cup, two minutes after the World Cup is over, we'll find out where Mauricio Pochettino has already agreed to coach. Because guess what? It's just a [expletive] job."
