Paul Caligiuri became the sixth person to declare his candidacy for U.S. Soccer president. (Scott Bales/YCJ Photo)
Count Paul Caligiuri in for the U.S. Soccer president race.
The former U.S. international, best known for scoring the goal that lifted the U.S. into the 1990 World Cup, announced his candidacy on Twitter Friday.
Caligiuri, 53, joined a crowded field that includes U.S. Soccer vice president Carlos Cordeiro, Boston attorney Steve Gans, former U.S. international and current Fox broadcaster Eric Wynalda, Springfield, Mass.-based businessman Paul Lapointe and New York-based attorney Michael Winograd.
Incumbent Sunil Gulati has not yet announced whether he will run. There also is talk of ex-U.S. international Landon Donovan throwing his hat into the ring.
“I’ve always had an ambition for the best interest of this sport since I was a kid,” said Caligiuri in an exclusive interview with ESPN FC Friday. “It drove me to do what I’ve done on the field and now off the field, and it’s never stopped.”
Caligiuri’s plan is called “Goal2019&2022.” He said that he hopes to see the U.S. women’s national team defend its World Cup title in France in 2019, and the men win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
“I’m familiar with the system, and I believe that this is a great time to take soccer to the next level,” he told ESPNFC. “Obviously there’s a transformational change going on, and I believe in efficiency and reliability. We need to make some significant investments, open up new markets, and have the opportunity for great growth, and have multiple platforms for development.”
A UCLA graduate, Caligiuri made 110 appearances and scored five goals for the U.S. national team, including the one in the 1-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago that lifted the U.S. into its first World Cup in 40 years.
He enjoyed a lengthy playing career in Germany and in Major League Soccer.
Caligiuri is the manager of Orange County FC in the National Premier Soccer League. He also has been part of the U.S. Soccer Athletes Council and its board of directors.
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