U.S. Soccer is already searching for a new head coach to lead the U.S. men’s national team and now the federation will begin searches for two more openings.
Sporting Director Earnie Stewart and General Manager Brian McBride are set to step down from their current roles, U.S. Soccer announced Thursday. Stewart is leaving to join Eredivisie side PSV’s front office while McBride has made no decision yet on his immdiate future.
Stewart will remain with U.S. Soccer until Feb. 15 to ensure a smooth transition as U.S. Soccer continues its search for its next Sporting Director. McBride will step down from his role as GM on Jan. 31.
During his tenure as Sporting Director, Stewart helped propel the USMNT back to the FIFA World Cup in 2022, as well as win Concacaf Nations League and Gold Cup trophies in 2021. The USWNT maintained its place as the No. 1 team in the FIFA World Rankings while taking home Concacaf Olympic Qualifying and Concacaf W Championship titles and winning the bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Stewart previously served in front office roles for Eredivisie sides AZ Alkmaar and NAC Breda before becoming the Philadelphia Union’s sporting director in October 2015.
“While we are sad to see Earnie go, he has helped lay a strong foundation and build a strong sporting staff to ensure that the future of U.S. Soccer is bright,” said U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone. “Today, we have a unique opportunity to bring in a new Sporting Director to build on this momentum. We are eager to engage new leaders who will match our ambitions and realize our vision for the future, taking our National Teams to the next level, including competing for a FIFA World Cup on home soil in 2026.”
McBride served within U.S. Soccer for three years, working closely with the USMNT staff by overseeing the development and management of the player pool. He was also involved in the hiring of Youth National Team coaches including Under-20 head coach Mikey Varas and Under-19 head coach Marko Mitrovic.
“Brian was an integral part of the Federation and our team’s success in qualifying for the World Cup and competing with the best in the world in Qatar, while also helping us continue to develop and progress our full men’s program in all areas,” said Parlow Cone. “The decision was made before the World Cup, and we wish him all the best as he embarks on his next endeavor. Brian will always be part of our family and continue to be connected to U.S. Soccer.”
U.S. Soccer has retained Sportsology Group to head the search for the organization’s next Sporting Director. Sportsology has also already begun a full review of U.S. Soccer’s sporting department while the group will also analyze head coach candidates to accelerate the Sporting Director’s hiring process.
The federation is also continuing its investigation on former U.S. men’s national team head coach Gregg Berhalter. Anthony Hudson is serving as interim USMNT head coach, which began with a 2-1 friendly loss to Serbia on Wednesday in California.