U.S. Soccer election: Members have until Nov. 27 to withdraw support

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Nov 9, 2017

U.S. Soccer members have been given until Nov. 27 to withdraw declarations of support for candidates for U.S. Soccer president and then nominate a different candidate.

There are currently seven people running for president, and that doesn't include incumbent Sunil Gulati, who has not yet announced whether he is running. But candidates must secure three declarations of support from member organizations or one of three members of the Athlete Council on the federation's board of directors by Dec. 10, 60 days prior to the National Council meeting schedule to be held at the U.S. Soccer AGM Feb. 9-11 in Orlando.

The intent of the rule is to weed out candidates without serious support within the federation membership. It is eliminates the possibility of last-minute entrants, like Alan Rothenberg, who was elected president in 1990.

U.S. Soccer presidential candidates:
Paul Caligiuri
Carlos Cordeiro
Steve Gans
Paul Lapointe
Kyle Martino
Michael Winograd
Eric Wynalda

In a letter Wednesday to candidates and U.S. Soccer organizations, staff attorney Greg Fike said members can submit a request for withdrawal and if approved then submit a letter of support for a different candidate.

The rule will allow for members to switch their support in a more transparent way. The candidate whose support has been withdrawn will be notified of the decision.

Election regulations require that members only support one candidate. If they submit letters of support for two different candidates, both are disqualified.

In the 2016 election for FIFA president, former MLS player David Nakhid was excluded when one of his letters of support -- reportedly from the U.S. Virgin Islands Soccer Federation -- was disqualified  because the federation had nominated two different candidates. The FIFA election won by Gianni Infantino required five letters of support.

Decorum. In his letter on behalf of U.S. Soccer's nominating and governance committee, which oversees the election, Fike also reminded all candidates that they "are expected to conduct campaigns with dignity and moderation and with respect for any other candidate(s), for the USSF and its members. The Committee also expects that all candidates will communicate this requirement to members supporting the candidate."