NEW YORK (September 10, 2026) – With U.S. Soccer looking to build on the momentum after this extraordinary moment for soccer in America, the Federation today announced that Don Garber will help drive those efforts through a new strategic advisory role focused on advocacy and fundraising. As part of this new position, Garber will serve as the Chair of Soccer Forward, the legacy and social impact arm of U.S. Soccer designed to expand access and mobilize investment in the future of the game across America.
With the recent success of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the 2028 Olympic Games and 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup ahead on home soil, U.S. Soccer is focused on ensuring these global events drive long-term growth across the sport, from building teams capable of winning World Cups to making soccer more accessible and increasing the game's presence in communities across the country.
Garber will work with U.S. Soccer leadership to help rally the wider soccer community around the sport’s long‑term ambitions. His role will serve to accelerate efforts to expand investment, strengthen strategic partnerships, and advocate for programs and research that make soccer more accessible in every community. Soccer Forward is one of the primary ways U.S. Soccer is bringing that strategy to life by expanding access to the game through initiatives like Soccer at Schools, Places to Play, and Soccer Forward Fests, as well as strategic investments in research, partnerships, and community impact.
"The next few years have the potential to accelerate the trajectory of soccer in this country, but only if we work together to make the most of them," said CEO and Secretary General JT Batson. "With his lifelong passion for all forms of soccer across every community, Don has shaped one of the most important chapters in the national growth of the game. He knows how to bring people together around big ideas and get things done. That's exactly what this moment calls for, and our long-term partnership with Don will ensure unprecedented influence and support around our generational ambitions for soccer in the U.S.”
The appointment reflects U.S. Soccer's belief that no single organization can realize the future of the game alone. Achieving lasting impact will require collaboration across leagues, clubs, schools, communities, businesses, governments, and fans.
"We've all seen what's possible for soccer in this country and making the most of the opportunity ahead will take all of us working together. Don has spent decades helping grow the game by bringing people together around a shared vision, and that's exactly what Soccer Forward is about and will need moving forward,” said U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone. “His leadership, relationships and belief in what's possible for soccer in this country make him the right person to help us turn this extraordinary moment into long-term progress. I'm excited to continue to work alongside him as we create more opportunities for people to play, support and experience soccer in every community across America.”
Drawing on more than four decades of leadership across professional sports – including 27 years leading Major League Soccer and 16 years with the National Football League – Garber will bring an unparalleled network and a proven ability to unite leaders around a shared vision for the future of the game.
A Leader Built for this Legacy Moment
Garber has served as MLS Commissioner since 1999, overseeing one of the most significant growth stories in American sports. Under his leadership, MLS expanded from 10 clubs to 30 building a national footprint of soccer-specific stadiums, developed a youth academy system, increased the profile of American soccer as a global leader, and helped secure the 2026 FIFA World Cup for North America. He has also been a longtime member of the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors, contributing to governance and strategic planning across the sport.
Throughout his career, Garber has built relationships across every level of the soccer ecosystem. In this role, he'll use those relationships to bring new partners to the table, grow support for U.S. Soccer's long-term priorities, and offer soccer to more people in more places than ever before.
"I've spent more than four decades working in professional sports, and I’ve always believed that our greatest progress comes through strong partnerships and a shared vision,” said Garber. “There has never been a more important or exciting time for soccer in the United States. I’m honored to work alongside Cindy, JT and the team at U.S. Soccer, and to bring together leaders from business, philanthropy, government and across the soccer community to ensure we take full advantage of this moment and create a lasting impact on the game for generations to come.”
Turning Momentum into Lasting Impact
The United States is entering a historic period for the sport and U.S. Soccer is committed to turning this momentum into long-term progress. That means building teams capable of winning on the world stage while making soccer more accessible and deeply rooted in communities nationwide.
While participation and interest in soccer continue to grow, the work to make the game more accessible, affordable, and connected for people of all ages and backgrounds is just getting started. Soccer Forward is intentionally built to bring together partners to reduce barriers, expand participation, strengthen research, and invest in the people, places, and programs that help the game thrive.
Garber’s appointment represents the next chapter for Soccer Forward, building on the platform's early success and ensuring that the unprecedented attention surrounding the sport translates into permanent gains in participation, opportunity, and community impact.