The push for the presidency of U.S. Soccer continues to add new candidates.
Kyle Martino has officially joined the list of candidates ahead of the upcoming election. The former U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder revealed his candidacy on Monday and will take a hiatus from his broadcasting duties with NBC to enter the race.
“This is not about a person for a person,” Martino said, according to the New York Times. “There’s no one person who’s going to save U.S. Soccer. This is about a consortium.
“When a club in England is failing and they’re in jeopardy of going into administration and disappearing, fans, former players, business people — they all get together with their time, experiences and resources with the sole purpose of saving a club they love. We need to do that with U.S. Soccer.
“We need a group, to step up and say, ‘Enough is enough, we’re here to save this thing.’ I can mobilize that group.”
Right now is an inflection point in history of soccer in this country. Our next choice has enormous consequences for the future of our game
— Over Under Initiative (@OverUnderPlay) November 6, 2017
With the announcement, Martino joins an increasingly crowded list of candidates for the presidency. Current president Sunil Gulati has yet to officially confirm that he will run, but is expected to be in the race for February’s election. His vice president, Carlos Cordeiro, is among the list of candidates as are lawyers Steven Gans and Michael Winograd, soccer administrator Paul Lapointe and former USMNT stars Eric Wynalda and Paul Caligiuri.
“Whoever is president has to genuinely want to work with Sunil, because that’s the only way we can bring U.S. Soccer forward,” Martino said. “Sunil has gotten us a seat at the head table. But whether Sunil runs again or not, my motivation will always be to protect U.S. Soccer from a president not capable of fixing our soccer problems. Who we need right now is secondary to what we need, which is a soccer vision.
“Carlos entering the race raises the quality of the candidates. But he’s admitted he’s not a soccer guy, and he’s saying he’s going to hire the soccer guy. I’m saying the complete opposite. I am the soccer guy. And hiring the business guy is a lot easier when that part of the company is working so well.
“The first thing people are going to say when they see that I’ve come forward is, ‘What does he know about running a $100 million company?’ But the business side of U.S. soccer is thriving. We don’t need an M.B.A. right now. We need a soccer Ph.D. And that’s what I have.”
I would be happy if he gets the job.
Ten people running just means Sunil will win with his base of 30% support.
I like him more than the other soccer players and far more than Sunil or Sunil’s assistant
Kyle is absolutely right. We do not need the president of USSoccer to be a money guy – we need a soccer guy back in charge!!!
At a certain point, you simply become greedy in life. Martino has a smoking hot wife, healthy child and good job already. Do your thing, Kyle.
“what you’ve just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.”
“Okay, ugh? A simple wrong would have done just fine, but, uh…”
His wife is smoking hot though. Is winning in the wifey and hair categories for sure.
Awesome. This thing is quickly turning into open mic night. I’m thinking Ted Nugent needs to throw his hat in the ring at this point….
Whoa, I thought you said Ted Westervelt for a second…
Now that would be fun to watch. When is the debate?
Speaking of gimmicks, Martino should run on the platform that he has the best head of hair.
You beat me to it!!
And his voice is so soothing and reassuring!
Regardless of who ends up as president it won’t change the fact that 20 plus years into mls we’re still desperately looking abroad for players with basic football skills.
A more urgent need is an mls director with some sort of commitment towards the national team instead of just gimmicks.