Sep 1, 2017; Harrison, NJ, USA; USA fans cheer during the first half of the FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Costa Rica at Red Bull Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Now that the letters of recommendation have been verified and background checks are complete, US Soccer has announced who will be able to run for US Soccer President.

Of the nine candidates who announced they were running, eight met the requirements. To run for US Soccer President, a candidate had to have at least three letters of recommendation from member organizations and pass a background check. These are the eight candidates currently in the running.

Paul Caligiuri – Former midfielder of USMNT, soccer coach and athlete rep on USSF Board of Directors.

Kathy Carter – Former President of Soccer United Marketing, organizing committee member of 1994 World Cup and former VP of Corporate Marketing for MLS.

Carlos Cordeiro – Vice President of US Soccer as well as former treasurer, former partner at Goldman Sachs.

Steve Gans – Lawyer/Partner at Prince Lobel Tye LLP, youth soccer coach and lawyer for 1994 World Cup bid for city of Boston as a host city.

Kyle Martino – Former midfielder of USMNT, former color commentator/analyst for NBC Sports MLS and Premier League coverage.

Hope Solo – Former goalkeeper of USWNT, helped with the early stages of the recent CBA negotiations between USWNT and US Soccer. 

Michael Winograd – Lawyer at Ropes & Gray LLP and adjunct professor at Fordham, Former pro player in Israel, former college soccer coach.

Eric Wynalda – Former forward of USMNT, former color commentator/analyst for ESPN and Fox World Cup, MLS, Champions League and Bundesliga coverage, former manager and technical director.

The only person who wasn’t accepted was Paul Lapointe, a Massachusetts business owner and had been an executive and manager in the semi-pro ranks of American soccer.

US Soccer didn’t reveal who had the most nominations but very rough estimates indicate Wynalda is leading. With lots of incomplete data and a lack of transparency throughout this election, it remains to be seen. The vote is going to take place February 10 in Orlando.

[US Soccer Federation]

About Phillip Bupp

Producer/editor of the Awful Announcing Podcast and Short and to the Point. News editor for The Comeback and Awful Announcing. Highlight consultant for Major League Soccer as well as a freelance writer for hire. Opinions are my own but feel free to agree with them.

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