I do think there's probably a story here, even if they might have decided to go in a different direction regardless. Generally when someone in McBride's position leaves an organization like this, there's some obligatory public statement recognizing the work he did, thanking him for his contributions, and wishing him the best. In my experience, when that doesn't happen in an organization like this, it pretty much always means there was some controversy around their departure that will eventually become public. And there are seemingly multiple connected figures hinting at that right now. It could be something relatively minor, especially if it's something along the lines of the rumor Jimmy Conrad passed along, which doesn't strike me as anything really scandalous. But I do think it was more than just a re-evaluation of what they wanted out of that position.
Look, she did an unethical thing by disclosing a secret that wasn't hers to disclose, and for selfish reasons. But let's not construct the straw man that she did so to challenge Gregg's general qualifications. As both Reynas made clear, it was an appeal (first to GB, then to their friends at the Fed) to compare the respective bad judgments (and consequences of bad judgments) by GB and Gio at young ages. It is still a shitty thing to disclose, but it wasn't (even ostensibly) about "leadership" qualifications.
this is enough to know u just dont know you said she has to get the boards approval she is more like just a volunteer 'chairman of the board'....so no its not necessary. if she doesn't have singular power then she is just a voting member of the board.
I do wonder if they’ll make a further statement on McBride thanking him of everything he did once the investigation is concluded and they made a decision on Berhalter. It’s possible they just want to wait to announce everything all at once. It would make sense if they think the GM position is redundant. McBride wasn’t overseeing the youth teams and pretty much all the decisions he was making were in concert with Stewart. And stuff like being the liaison to clubs isn’t something you need a GM for. When he was hired his responsibilities were described as: to oversee the development and management of the player pool, build and guide the culture within the Men’s National Team environment, manage relationships with clubs and represent the USMNT on the global stage. Berhalter really did the first two, the third was clearly McBride, and I don’t feel like there was a lot of McBride representing the USMNT on the world stage. It was initially indicated that he would oversight over the USMNT, and the power to hire and fire coaches, but that clearly was never going to be the case. Stewart was always clearly going to be the point person there. When he was hired there was some discussion that McBride would be involved in dual national recruiting, and Berhalter was very clearly the point person there. The flip side is that Kate Markgraf has a much wider set of duties that are described as the following: Markgraf is charged with overseeing the technical and administrative staffs for all teams, managing the day-to-day activities around the teams, leading the planning of National Team activities, helping implement High Performance programs and representing U.S. Soccer and the Women’s National Team at various events around the country and the world. Beyond the senior team, she is responsible for influencing the development of women’s soccer within the Federation and the managing of the overall technical plan for the Women’s National Team program which include the hiring of Youth National Team coaches and staff. In short it does really feel like there are a lot of redundancies inherent to McBride’s position because Stewart still has held onto responsibility for a lot of things(like youth teams).
Yeah, that's how Boards of Directors work. President might have some unique powers, but they aren't a dictator.
These are the stated responsibilities of the president in the bylaws (which very much are akin to those of the chairman of the board). Section 1 (a) preside at all meetings of the National Council and the Board of Directors, and serve as Chairperson of the Board; (b) subject to approval of the Board, appoint or replace members of committees and task forces, and serve as an ex officio member of those committees and task forces; (c) submit an annual report on the state of the Federation thirty (30) days prior to the annual general meeting of the National Council; and (d) serve as or designate the official representative of the Federation in FIFA, Concacaf, and other international organizations. Section 3 The President shall appoint, subject to approval of the Board, a member of the Board to serve as Treasurer. The Treasurer will serve as the Chairperson of the Budget and Finance Committee. The Treasurer shall possess the authority to act as treasurer of the corporation as may be required by applicable law and any authority specifically bestowed by the Board of Directors. The most important thing the president does is pick the CEO (subject to board approval), whose really the one who runs USSF PART V--ADMINISTRATIVE Subpart A--Secretary General The Federation shall have a Secretary General. The Secretary General shall be appointed by the President, subject to the approval of the Board, and shall serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Federation. Bylaw 502. RESPONSIBILITIES The responsibilities of the Secretary General include the following: (a) manage the day-to-day business affairs of the Federation and oversee its operations, management, programs and staff. (b) subject to approval of the Board of Directors, coordinate and administer the development and selection of players to participate in Pan American, Olympic, World Cup championships and other international competitions. (c) attend all meetings of the National Council and the Board, and maintain records and minutes related to those meetings. (d) maintain the records and correspondence of the Federation. (e) ensure that notices of meetings are distributed in accordance with these Bylaws. (f) prepare and distribute an annual report to the members of the National Council at least thirty (30) days before the annual general meeting of the National Council. (g) subject to approval of the Board, maintain Federation staff that is provided under the Federation budget, to carry out programs of the Federation and responsibilities of the Secretary General https://cdn.ussoccer.com/-/media/pr...20dee6f&hash=55EBE20CB203356B708BAAB0A222FC39
I will say digging through the bylaw, policy manual, and code of conduct it's pretty clear that anyone who was told of the incident would have to report it. From the code of conduct: If we observe or suspect, in good faith, any violation of this Code, we must act to report the issue-reporting avenues will be outlined in this document. Earlier in the document it states: U.S Soccer has zero tolerance for abuse or misconduct of any kind. https://ussoccer.app.box.com/s/rp6hlbikz0x3im7zv3vmela5cjvzrj6y The Safe Soccer framework (found here https://static1.squarespace.com/sta...SafeSoccer+Framework+2022+Website+Version.pdf) goes more into the required reporting and what sort of conduct is covered. It also goes into the required background screening that they do. Someone in Berhalter's role would also have a follow up backup screening every two years. This incident of course would not have shown up in any background check, but they check they do is fairly extensive. Though under the framework (though I'm not sure if it was in place at the time of Gregg Berhalter's hiring), Jay Berhalter would have been required to report it if was aware. The framework states the following: Without limiting the foregoing, all National Team personnel are obligated to report any suspected violation of the Safe Soccer Framework involving team personnel or athletes of any age to U.S. Soccer, either through U.S. Soccer staff in Chicago or the Integrity Hotline (see the Section entitled, “How to Report to the U.S. Soccer Integrity Hotline,” below.) The obligation to report is not always satisfied by making an initial report. USSPPs are required to report supplemental information of which he or she becomes aware that may be relevant to a pending investigation. Also of interest to many people on here, this is US Soccer's conflict of interest policy https://ussoccer.app.box.com/s/mrbuuchvqhaycbl65j1hixt1m4sxewl1
Or like you said, Gregg was taking in more of a role that was appropriate? Do we even know or can ascertain if these assumptions are accurate? I know coaches get credit for brings players over but there typically is way more happening behind the scenes that just a phone call..
I think it’s pretty clear Berhalter was the point person on dual national recruitment. They all talk specifically about meeting with him and talking with him. Not one dual national ever mentioned a conversation with McBride. Team culture was similarly very Berhalter driven. I think these were things that the idea was to make the responsibility of the GM, but it’s just more natural for it to be the coach doing. This was the first time this structure/position existed, so it’s not crazy that they had some things to figure out in terms of how it would work in practice.
The policy needs a big red warning. USE JUDGEMENT BECAUSE WE CANNOT. From a purely technical (ridiculous) perspective, It all applies to Gio.
McBride was only under contract through 2022. I guess they wanted to save money or go in a different direction. Let's see if a new GM is hired.
exactly sure told it to someone she knew would have to report it(even though she swore she didnt know)
Well I do need to amend this post above now to add that US Soccer has put out exactly the sort of statement that I thought was lacking before. https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/20...-returns-to-netherlands-to-join-psv-eindhoven
- Brian McBride's contract expired at the end of 2022 but U.S. Soccer gave him a 1 month extension through January to get through potential turnover. - This Sportsology Group report will determine if the #USMNT will even need a GM position— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) January 26, 2023
Did they pay Brian to hold his statement or was he still waiting for word on the other position he mentioned?