Football
Jeff Carlisle, U.S. soccer correspondent 4y

U.S. Soccer Federation axes Brian Remedi, Tonya Wallach - sources

U.S. Soccer Federation executives Brian Remedi and Tonya Wallach have been fired, sources have confirmed to ESPN.

Soccer America was first to report the news.

- Stream new episodes of ESPN FC Monday through Friday on ESPN+
- Stream every episode of 30 for 30: Soccer Stories on ESPN+

The moves were described by one source as "organizational changes," and are the first since Will Wilson was named CEO/secretary general in March.

The decisions come as the USSF is attempting to cope with the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as a possible payout to players from the U.S. women's national team who are taking part in the equal pay lawsuit. The USSF announced earlier Wednesday that it was terminating its development academy, a national youth league for boys and girls.

Layoffs of staff were made official on Thursday in a letter sent by Wilson, who plans to take a 50% pay cut, to the USSF membership. Sources tell ESPN that the layoffs and furloughs comprised of about 20 related to the decision to shut down the development academy, around 10 other full-time staff and then at least 15 interns putting the final number of layoffs and furloughs at around 45.

Chief Legal Officer Lydia Wahlke remains on administrative leave due to her role in the USSF's handling of incendiary legal filings related to the equal pay lawsuit. One source said she was contemplating legal action.

Remedi had spent the past 11 years at the USSF as the chief administrative officer, his second stint with the federation. He also filled in as interim CEO following the retirement of Dan Flynn last September. Before taking on his current role, he had been U.S. Soccer's chief stakeholders officer, overseeing the member services department. According to Remedi's LinkedIn profile, he worked as a communications manager at the USSF from 1996 to 1999.

Wallach spent three years at the USSF, most recently as the chief talent and inclusion officer, essentially the top human-resources executive. She was promoted to her current position as part of a management restructuring by then-president Carlos Cordeiro in April 2018.

In light of the changes, sources have told ESPN that former U.S. Soccer Federation Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer Jay Berhalter has begun working as a consultant with MLS. Berhalter, the brother of U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter, left his position with the federation in February.

^ Back to Top ^