US Soccer President Election, Cordeiro Wins Election

Submitted by uncle leo on

Pretty big stuff happening for my fellow soccer fans today. I have NO idea who will win this thing, and I don't know who should. I'm pulling a bit for a guy like Martino or Wylanda because they seem the most passionate about it, and I don't really need to see some business dude taking over. They had that with Gulati.

Live stream:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwIMh5BEuPU

buddha

February 10th, 2018 at 10:52 AM ^

I am both nervous and excited to see who they select. I read Cameron’s interview yesterday, and it sounds like the culture of US Soccer is completely broken. For that reason, I’d be very happy if either Martino or Wynalda win because - like you said - they seem passionate about it. Hopefully their energy would create a positive vision for the future of this organization and sport in the States!

Indy Pete - Go Blue

February 10th, 2018 at 10:54 AM ^

This is a critical point in US soccer. Missing the World Cup this year is a gigantic blow for the momentum that we have been building since 94. Let’s hope a strong leader with the right traits and vision is elected.

Lakeyale13

February 10th, 2018 at 10:58 AM ^

Don't think there is a clear "competent" choice that is heads and tails above the others.  I do think Wynalda or Martino would be the best of what to choose from.

bacon1431

February 10th, 2018 at 11:13 AM ^

Seems pretty clear that one of the establishment candidates will win. Though they are amongst the least popular among the fans, but we don’t get a vote. If i had to choose between the two, I guess I’d go with Cardeiro as he wasn’t the one endorsed by Gulati.

buddha

February 10th, 2018 at 11:18 AM ^

Honestly, I was not very familiar with Cardeiro until this election. I just re-read his bio and - damn - he is pretty much the representation of the American dream! What an amazing life and story he has. I’m not saying that necessarily qualifies him to be the President of US Soccer, but I do think he is more than just an empty suit. If elected, I’d be curious to see what he does especially since he doesn’t seem to “represent “ the previous regime as much as some of the other candidates.

bacon1431

February 10th, 2018 at 11:24 AM ^

Eh, he represents the establishment more than everybody but Kathy Carter. But those two are pretty much interested with doing things about the same as we have for the last decade, with minor adjustments. Which is a loss for everybody but MLS, SUM and club soccer. Populations that are marginalized will continue to be marginazlied and we will continue to not live up to our potential.

bacon1431

February 10th, 2018 at 6:30 PM ^

If that were true, she’d have been making more progress on things the fans want/the federation needs. I have no doubt she was great as head of SUM. But people don’t want more SUM or MLS influence in the federation.

And if she weren’t also more of the same, she wouldn’t have been given a lot of support from Gulati and Garber.

speakeasy

February 10th, 2018 at 11:49 PM ^

So by implication, a new path (ie not more of the same) is the one who announced their candidacy almost immediately after Gulati stepped back? Makes sense.

Cordeiro may or may not be a change agent, but at a minimum he was in the race before it became a complete shitshow of a free for all. 

M-Dog

February 10th, 2018 at 11:29 AM ^

Once again, the bottom line wins over actual results on the field.

That's all they really care about. 

The soccer is just a vehicle.

The spirit of Dave Brandon lives on in US Soccer.

 

bacon1431

February 10th, 2018 at 11:37 AM ^

Yep. Fans dont care if we have 150 million dollar surplus. We want to produce quality soccer throughout the country and a competitive national team, with a domestic league system that helps American players make the most of their potential. Soccer associations care about the bottom line to an extent and are probably nervous about any kind of change because it could affect their job, so I get why they may lean towards te establishment candidates because of “the devil you know.” But if we make changes to the system and it’s successful, in the end it would mean more jobs throughout US soccer at the grassroots level.

DoubleB

February 10th, 2018 at 2:26 PM ^

"We want to produce quality soccer throughout the country and a competitive national team, with a domestic league system that helps American players make the most of their potential."

OK, so you have the goal. Now how do you get there?

I think this is much, much harder than people realize.

karma police

February 11th, 2018 at 9:07 AM ^

unless we have stronger professional clubs and develop a system similar to Bayern, Dortmund or Barcelona where we develop players through a club's youth system. My understanding is this is a goal. How realistic or how far out it's projected is completely unknown. I certainly hope it comes to pass, however. 

USA2018

February 10th, 2018 at 11:45 AM ^

Cordeiro was the best candidate (although the margins were slim). Wynalda would have been a train wreck but I think Cordeiro could appoint someone like Wynalda, Martino, or (preferably) Caliguiri to a new position that focuses on youth development/competition enhancements

bacon1431

February 10th, 2018 at 12:02 PM ^

Best candidate for whom? If we want to just continue as is, then yeah, he’s probably the best candidate. Him or Carter. But most of the fans don’t want that. Of course people like Gulati have just come out and said “we lost one game....” which is a total straw man. We have not made a ton of progress for the last decade, aside from the pocketbook. Which is not, IMO and most of the fans’, the point of a soccer federation. It’s to grow, expand and run the game in this country.

I totally get why soccer associations are scared of change. But I think, in the long run, widespread change throughout USSF would be much better for the associations, players, and fans.

USA2018

February 10th, 2018 at 3:38 PM ^

Unlike some of the candidates, Cordeiro knows what the responsibilities of the President should be. He won't be the next Gulati; basically he's only going to oversee the Board of Directors and allocate resources to various departments. He wants to create a technical staff that would make personnel/coaching decisions but otherwise stay out of the way.