US Soccer's pursuit of manager Mauricio Pochettino was significantly aided by substantial financial contributions from billionaires Kenneth C. Griffin and Scott Goodwin, according to reports. The federation announced in September 2024 that the appointment was supported by a philanthropic leadership gift from Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel, and additional support from Goodwin, co-founder and managing partner of Diameter. This backing was crucial as US Soccer lacked the funds to afford Pochettino's approximately $6 million annual salary and a $2.5 million sign-on bonus.
The initiative to bring a high-caliber coach to the U.S. men's national team began in the summer of 2024, following a disappointing Copa America campaign and the dismissal of Gregg Berhalter. Scott Goodwin, a financier, felt the need to address what he perceived as a broken system for the men's team, especially after the successful hiring of Emma Hayes as the highest-paid female coach in soccer for the U.S. women's national team. Goodwin's firm, Diameter, is a credit investment firm based in New York.
After initial considerations for other high-profile coaches like Jurgen Klopp proved financially unfeasible, Goodwin stepped forward, initially offering to cover the difference in salary himself. This led to discussions with US Soccer CEO JT Batson, where Goodwin expressed his patriotic desire to see the U.S. capable of winning on the world stage. By July 2024, an agreement with Pochettino was in place, but US Soccer still needed further financial assistance to bridge the gap, with commercial partners contributing partially.
When the costs extended to Pochettino's backroom staff, creating a larger financial shortfall, Goodwin turned to Kenneth C. Griffin. Griffin, founder of Citadel and a lifelong soccer enthusiast with a net worth of $50 billion, had previously donated $8 million to build mini-pitches across Chicago and Miami. He saw an opportunity to transform the trajectory of U.S. soccer, particularly with the upcoming home World Cup, believing a successful senior team could foster growth at all levels of the sport. Griffin agreed to make the largest contribution to secure Pochettino.
Griffin stated that when players perform well on the pitch, it expands the reach of soccer, a sport he believes teaches valuable life skills. He emphasized the goal of bringing the gift of soccer to as many children as possible. Goodwin, who has since bonded with Pochettino over business and ice hockey, has described the manager's impact on team culture as transformative, citing the movie 'Miracle' as a parallel for Pochettino's approach of selecting the 'right' players over simply the 'best.'
Goodwin has also brought Pochettino in to speak to his team at Diameter, where the coach discussed team building, player development, and motivation. Goodwin expressed his belief that with investment in top-tier coaching, the U.S. men's national team can achieve World Cup success in the future, mirroring the accomplishments of the women's team. The article notes that US Soccer is also developing a new National Training Center, partially funded by a $50 million contribution from billionaire Arthur Blank, and that the federation aims to maintain the standard of coaching.
Pochettino has guided the U.S. men's national team to the last 32 of the World Cup, with their next match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The team's performance has been a source of optimism, with Folarin Balogun noted as a standout player who has scored twice in the tournament so far. Goodwin views the investment in Pochettino as a more impactful endeavor than purchasing sports teams, citing its potential for broader influence on the sport within the United States. 
