Outgoing MLS commissioner Don Garber is set to take on a significant new position with U.S. Soccer, serving as chair of the Soccer Forward Foundation.
U.S. Soccer made the announcement on Thursday, confirming that Garber’s new role will focus on expanding access and increasing investment in soccer across America.
The news arrives at a pivotal moment for the federation, which is simultaneously looking back at and building upon the historic 2026 World Cup held on home soil this summer.
With the tournament now concluded, attention has shifted toward sustaining whatever momentum was generated by the surge of global interest and attention that accompanied it.
Key milestones are already on the horizon for U.S. Soccer, including the 2028 Olympics and the 2031 Women’s World Cup, both of which represent major opportunities for continued growth.
The federation is working to build on the current generation of players and fans while simultaneously creating more accessible pathways for the next wave of American soccer talent.
As Garber transitions into his new position, MLS has already mapped out a clear plan for succession within the league he led for decades.
In August, the MLS Board of Governors selected LAFC co-founder Larry Berg as the league’s next commissioner, beating out former Fox Sports executive David Nathanson in a vote.
Garber will now draw on his extensive experience at MLS and, before that, the NFL, using his network of relationships to bring together leaders and investors around the sport.
Soccer Forward serves as U.S. Soccer’s primary vehicle for expanding access throughout the country, equipping communities, teams, and programs with the resources necessary to grow the game at every level.
The foundation’s work spans U.S. Soccer’s 119 member organizations, representing all 50 states, as well as community organizations spread throughout the country.
Garber was also instrumental in the bid process that ultimately brought the 2026 World Cup to the United States, adding another significant achievement to his long legacy in the sport.
U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone expressed strong confidence in Garber’s appointment, highlighting his decades of experience building the game at the highest levels.
“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 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,” she added.
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