Kathy Carter is moving on from MLS and SUM after 24 years.

NEW YORK – Kathy Carter has decided to leave Major League Soccer and Soccer United Marketing.

Carter, the president of both entitites who ran an unsuccessful bid for U.S. Soccer Federation president, “has decided to pursue her next challenge and career opportunity,” MLS and SUM announced Monday afternoon.

SUM is the the marketing and commercial arm of MLS and several soccer properties.

“I would like to thank Kathy on behalf of our owners, clubs and staff for the significant contributions she has made to the sport of soccer in the U.S. and Canada while at SUM and MLS,” MLS commissioner and SUM CEO Don Garber said in a statement. “Kathy played a critical role in the development of our league and the growth of soccer in North America for many years. Her energy, leadership and strong relationships helped establish SUM as one of the leading commercial soccer companies in the world. We wish her the best of luck in the next chapter in her career.”

Carter, whose final day at SUM is April 13, served as vice president of corporate marketing from the league’s inception in 1994 after spending two years with the World Cup USA 1994 organizing committee.

She became SUM president in 2010, and has been responsible for the development and monetization of the premier soccer properties in the United States and Canada, including MLS, U.S. Soccer, the Mexican national team, and multiple CONCACAF properties.

Carter recently had taken a leave of absence beginning in December to pursue her campaign for the USSF presidency. USSF vice president Carlos Cordeiro was elected president at the organization’s Annual General Meeting in Orlando, Fla. Feb. 10

“My time with Soccer United Marketing and Major League Soccer has been deeply meaningful – building and expanding the game has been my profession and my passion,” Carter said in a statement. “I’m grateful for the life-long friendships I’ve made and the support I’ve received from the commissioner, MLS business ventures president Gary Stevenson and all of my colleagues at the league, and look forward to seeing MLS continue its incredible growth. I will remain a huge supporter of MLS and U.S. Soccer and will be cheering loudly from the stands for our clubs and players.”

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.