KYLE MARTINO HAS announced he is taking a hiatus from his role on NBC’s Premier League broadcasts to run for U.S. Soccer president.
The former U.S. national team midfielder, 36, announced on Monday that he will begin traveling around the country in his bid to replace Sunil Gulati atop U.S. Soccer.
“Accountability is needed. The era of blaming bad-breaks for systemic failures is over. We need a leader to hold us to a higher standard,” Martino said in a series of tweets.
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
— Kyle Martino (@kylemartino) November 6, 2017
I’m willing to leave my dream job to do what’s right for soccer in USA. The 3 pillars of my platform are: Transparency, Equality, & Progress
— Kyle Martino (@kylemartino) November 6, 2017
So I️ state right now that if under my leadership USMNT fail to qualify for 2022 WC I will step down, likewise if we fail to make QF in 2026
— Kyle Martino (@kylemartino) November 6, 2017
Martino becomes the latest high-profile name to announce his candidacy, joining former U.S. greats Eric Wynalda and Paul Caligiuri as well as Gulati’s deputy at U.S. Soccer Carlos Cordeiro among others.
Gulati’s position has come under fire since the U.S. men’s national team shockingly failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup after losing 2-1 at Trinidad & Tobago last month.
Gulati has not confirmed if he intends to run for re-election, but has hinted that he is likely to seek a fourth term.
The federation’s election takes place on 10 February, with candidates required to formally submit their candidacy by 12 December.
- Omni
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