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The U.S. Soccer Federation announced that CEO and Secretary General Dan Flynn will officially leave his post on Monday, Sept. 16, and that the search for his replacement is ongoing. Brian Remedi, the USSF's Chief Stakeholders Officer and a 13-year veteran of the Federation, has been given the added title of Chief Administrative Officer to ease with the transition, and will take over some of Flynn's duties until a permanent replacement can be found. "The honor of serving U.S. Soccer has been a privilege and experience of a lifetime, and none of what we've been able to accomplish over my time here would be possible if not for the people within our organization -- past and present -- who shared my belief and love for what the sport of soccer means and can do here in the United States," said Flynn. "I retire with immense appreciation and respect for everyone who played a role in my journey and now look forward to welcoming new leadership that will continue to advance the mission of U.S. Soccer at all levels of our game." USSF president Carlos Cordeiro added, "I'd like to thank Dan for his incredible commitment to U.S. Soccer for the past 20 years. His steadfast leadership has been invaluable and drove the sport to new heights." Flynn, 64, had announced at the USSF's Annual General Meeting back in February that he would be stepping down. He underwent a heart transplant in 2016 which required a five-month recovery, thus giving the Federation some experience in handling his duties on an interim basis. But the USSF has been unable to find a replacement as of yet. Several lawsuits, including a gender discrimination lawsuit filed by players from the U.S. Women's national team have occupied the Federation. There was also a scathing series of reviews on the website Glassdoor.com about the work environment at the USSF that led Cordeiro to say that an employee survey would be formulated to obtain feedback from USSF staff. That survey has not yet been delivered to the USSF employees. The USSF hopes that the process to replace Flynn will be completed by the end of 2019, though it could run into January of 2020. At present there are internal and external candidates, though there is no set list of finalists. Among those considered in the running is U.S. Soccer executive Jay Berhalter, who is brother of U.S. men's team coach Gregg Berhalter. Flynn's 19-year career at U.S. Soccer coincided with a period of dramatic growth. According to financial statements posted by the USSF, revenues grew from $36.3 million in the 2005 fiscal year to over $126 million in 2018. During this time Flynn overhauled the USSF's business practices which provided a substantial reserve for future endeavors. He also oversaw the construction of several soccer facilities including the National Training Center in Carson, California, in 2003, and the National Development Center in Kansas City, Kansas, which opened at the end of 2017. In partnership with Clark and Dan Hunt, owners of MLS side FC Dallas, Flynn helped lead the effort to open the new National Soccer Hall of Fame Experience in Frisco, Texas, in October of 2018. Flynn also put his business background to work in preparing the framework to help the Local Organizing Committee successfully stage the 2003 Women's World Cup on an expedited timeline after original hosts China were unable to hold the event due to the SARS outbreak. In 2012, along with former U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati, Flynn also helped create the structure for the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). Remedi will begin his additional position as Chief Administrative Officer on Sept. 16. "I'm looking forward to continuing to work with U.S. Soccer staff, our Membership and the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors to continue pushing the game forward," said Remedi.
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