Oguchi Onyewu in the running for US Soccer Sporting Director

Former United States men’s national team defender Oguchi Onyewu is reportedly a candidate for US Soccer’s vacant sporting director job. According to sources at FOX Sports, the 40-year-old retired player is being considered for the role. The news outlet reached out to both Onyewu and U.S. Soccer for comment, but both neither confirmed nor denied the report.

Onyewu made 69 total appearances for the USMNT in the decade between 2004 and 2014. The center back started matches during the 2006 and 2010 World Cup tournaments. He helped the Yanks collect three CONCACAF Gold Cup trophies, as well. Onyewu was included in the team of the tournament for the 2005 Gold Cup and named the U.S. Soccer athlete of the year in 2006.

Experience in club official roles

After announcing his retirement as a professional player in 2018, Onyewu then transitioned to more behind-the-scene roles. His first shot at sporting director came in 2018 when he was chosen to lead the Orlando City B team. After just a year at the position, the former defender returned to college to earn a bachelor’s degree in international business and French.

Onyewu’s most current job with a team was with Belgian second tier club Royal Excelsior Virton. He was the club’s secretary general for 16 months before departing the team in November. He is now currently a studio analyst for CBS Sports.

Oguchi Onyewu on shrinking list of Sporting Director candidates

U.S. Soccer has been without a sporting director since Earnie Stewart left the post for a similar role with PSV Eindhoven. Stewart previously oversaw the U.S. men’s, women’s, and youth national teams beginning in 2019.

The pool of potential candidates has been shrinking in recent weeks. Peter Vermes and Earnst Tanner were reportedly approached by U.S. Soccer; however, the duo both rejected the opportunity to become sporting director. Vermes instead signed a new contract to remain Sporting Kansas City’s head coach. Tanner, on the other hand, will remain sporting director of Philadelphia Union.

PHOTO: IMAGO / Belga