Michael Lazar is Chief, Soccer Markets and Pathways at the U.S. Soccer Federation, where he leads soccer strategy and execution across the United States. He builds the standards, systems, and relationships that connect the pathway from youth to professional soccer and from local communities to the national stage. His work includes developing a new American youth development system in partnership with leading professional and amateur leagues and clubs, establishing U.S. Soccer’s presence in local markets nationwide, and strengthening relationships with Federation members and the broader soccer community.

Since joining U.S. Soccer in 2023, Michael has held leadership roles across external relations, strategy, and organizational leadership. His work has included the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the nation’s oldest ongoing soccer competition; the In Service to Soccer Strategy and associated Pathways Strategy; preparations for the 2026 Men’s World Cup and efforts related to the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cup bids; and the launch of the Soccer Forward Foundation, U.S. Soccer’s World Cup legacy initiative.

Before joining U.S. Soccer, Michael spent nearly a decade at McKinsey & Company, where he became a partner and worked across the Technology, Media and Telecom and Public and Social Sector practices. Among his projects, he helped launch the NY Jobs CEO Council, an initiative aimed at hiring 100,000 New Yorkers into jobs with family-sustaining wages. Earlier in his career, he spent four years in Washington, D.C., as a policy and business consultant. He holds a B.A. in Public Policy from Stanford University and an MBA from the Yale School of Management.

Michael has published articles and studies and frequently speaks on player development, youth participation in soccer, technology industry trends, and economic and workforce development.

He lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his family and is a lifelong soccer player, passionate fan, and proud soccer dad.