Landon Donovan Unleashes on Matt Crocker as U.S. Soccer Director Departs for Saudi Arabia

"We should be happy that he's gone." Those sharp words from USMNT legend Landon Donovan — not some anonymous internet critic — sum up his take on Matt Crocker's resignation as U.S. Soccer's sporting director, coming less than two months before the United States co-hosts the World Cup.

Crocker is bound for Saudi Arabia. According to a source with knowledge of the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity to the Associated Press, the move was initially broken by Fox Sports. He's abandoning one of the most critical positions in American football history to join Saudi Arabia's ambitious football initiative — precisely when his leadership is needed most.

Donovan pulls no punches

Donovan's response came across as a definitive judgment rather than mere commentary. "My initial thought is if he doesn't want to be here, we don't want him here," he stated. "I always got the sense that he wasn't fully committed here and didn't really care about football in this country."

It's a sharp critique. Donovan isn't some external observer — he experienced the disappointment of American football falling short of expectations for years. When he questions Crocker's commitment, his words carry significant credibility.

"I'm actually happy to get someone in that position who genuinely cares about the growth of football," Donovan added. Regardless of whether this characterization of Crocker is accurate, the fundamental issue remains: the USSF must now locate, appoint, and integrate a new sporting director during one of the most tumultuous pre-tournament periods conceivable.

The timing couldn't be worse

The 2026 World Cup begins on North American soil in fewer than eight weeks. The USSF has positioned this tournament as a pivotal moment for football's standing in American sports culture. Sporting directors do far more than manage transfers — they influence squad strategy, staff dynamics, and tournament readiness. Losing this critical role at this juncture represents far more than a routine administrative change.

Whether Crocker truly lacked engagement or simply received a more lucrative proposition, the perception is damaging. The USMNT's prospects for a strong tournament run just became significantly more uncertain with a leadership void at the organization's helm.

The USSF acknowledged the departure with standard corporate messaging. Donovan showed considerably less restraint in his assessment.