Don Garber is stepping into a new leadership role with U.S. Soccer after announcing his departure from the Major League Soccer commissioner position this year. The federation named him chair of the Soccer Forward Foundation, positioning him to oversee the organization's mission to expand access and investment in soccer across America.
Garber's 27-year tenure as MLS commissioner transformed professional soccer in the United States, building the league from relative obscurity into a competitive global franchise. His appointment to Soccer Forward capitalizes on those decades of experience and institutional connections. The foundation operates as the primary vehicle through which U.S. Soccer funds grassroots development, community programs, and strategic partnerships aimed at making soccer accessible nationwide.
Key Initiatives Under Soccer Forward
Soccer Forward has launched several flagship programs designed to deepen the sport's penetration across American communities. In partnership with Bank of America, the federation introduced Soccer at Schools, targeting every school in the country by 2030. Additional initiatives include Places to Play, Soccer Forward Fests, and the Kang Women's Institute, which provides technical and business support to the women's soccer ecosystem.
The foundation's work extends across U.S. Soccer's 119 member organizations spanning all 50 states. Ambassadors promoting these efforts include Chris Richards from the men's national team and Ally Sentnor from the women's program, alongside legendary figures Tony Sanneh and Jozy Altidore. U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson emphasized that Garber's ability to broker partnerships and execute large-scale vision makes him ideal for this moment in American soccer's development.
The timing reflects a pivotal juncture for the sport domestically. With the 2026 World Cup concluded and momentum from heightened summer interest still resonating, U.S. Soccer faces pressure to sustain growth while building pathways for younger generations. The 2028 Olympic Games and 2031 Women's World Cup represent immediate milestones where investment and infrastructure improvements could compound returns.
Garber has served on the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors for years and received the Werner Fricker Award in 2023 for his federation contributions. His track record spanning four decades in professional sports—including prior roles in the NFL—positions him to unlock funding sources and forge alliances between government, business, and philanthropic sectors. As soccer continues its American growth trajectory, Garber's focus on sustainable investment and partnership-building will test whether the sport's recent momentum translates into generational change.
