Recent tax filings from the U.S. Soccer Federation have provided unprecedented transparency into U.S. Soccer coaching salaries for the period spanning April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025. The Form 990 document outlines the compensation packages for the organization’s most prominent figures, including U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) head coach Emma Hayes and U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) head coach Mauricio Pochettino. The filing also sheds light on severance packages for former personnel like Gregg Berhalter, alongside the record earnings of top executives and gold-medal-winning USWNT players. This financial disclosure highlights the evolving economic structure of American soccer, driven by philanthropic support, commercial partnerships, and historic collective bargaining agreements.
Table Of Contents
Breakdown of U.S. Soccer Coaching Salaries
Emma Hayes and USWNT Compensation
During her first 10 months on the job, beginning in May 2024, USWNT head coach Emma Hayes earned nearly $1.5 million. This package consisted of $744,557 in base salary and $700,000 in bonus and incentive compensation. According to U.S. Soccer, the $700,000 figure includes both a signing bonus and performance incentives directly linked to the USWNT winning the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
At the time of her hiring, industry reports indicated that Hayes’ compensation would be roughly on par with then-USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter, establishing a record for a women’s soccer coach. This move was widely viewed as a continuation of U.S. Soccer’s commitment to gender equity, arriving two years after the Federation agreed to pay its men’s and women’s national team players equally.
Furthermore, the tax filing revealed that five USWNT players who won gold in Paris earned more than $800,000 during this period. This marks a direct result of the team’s 2022 collective bargaining agreement, solidifying the USWNT as the highest-paid women’s national team in global soccer.
Mauricio Pochettino’s Record-Breaking Deal
Mauricio Pochettino became the highest-paid coach in U.S. Soccer history following his hire, which officially began in August 2024. In his first seven months, Pochettino earned a $2.5 million one-time signing bonus alongside $2.52 million in base compensation.
If prorated over a full calendar year, Pochettino’s base salary exceeds $4 million. With performance-related incentives included, his total compensation package could approach $6 million annually by the end of his tenure, which runs through the 2026 World Cup.
U.S. Soccer confirmed that a significant portion of Pochettino’s compensation is supported by external sources. A philanthropic leadership gift from hedge-fund billionaire Ken Griffin, alongside additional support from hedge-fund manager Scott Goodwin and various commercial partners, made the historic salary possible. U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone previously stated the deal “absolutely” would not have occurred without this donor backing.
Gregg Berhalter’s Departure Compensation
Former USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter, who was dismissed in July 2024, remained the Federation’s second-highest-paid employee for the tax year in question. From his re-hiring in July 2023 through his departure, Berhalter received $1.05 million in base compensation.
Additionally, the filing reports $325,000 in bonus and incentive compensation, plus $750,833 in “other compensation”—an amount related to his buyout or severance package. In total, Berhalter earned $1.8 million during this tax period. No USMNT assistant coaches were listed among the organization’s highest earners.
U.S. Soccer Executive Leadership Earnings
Outside of the coaching staff and player pools, the Form 990 filing revealed the compensation for U.S. Soccer’s top executives. CEO J.T. Batson earned $925,238, a figure that includes bonus pay. Sporting Director Matt Crocker received $1.02 million, which featured a $152,905 relocation payment to facilitate his move from the United Kingdom to Georgia, the site of U.S. Soccer’s new headquarters.
Data Tables: Compensation Overview
Coaching Compensation (April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025)
| Coach | Team | Base Pay | Bonus / Incentive | Total Reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mauricio Pochettino | USMNT | $2,520,000 | $2,500,000 (Signing) | ~$5,020,000 (7 months) |
| Emma Hayes | USWNT | $744,557 | $700,000 | ~$1,444,557 (10 months) |
| Gregg Berhalter | USMNT (Former) | $1,050,000 | $1,075,833* | $1,800,000 |
| *Includes $325k bonus and $750k severance/other compensation. |
Executive & Player Earnings Data
| Title / Category | Individual | Total Reported Compensation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CEO | J.T. Batson | $925,238 | Includes bonuses |
| Sporting Director | Matt Crocker | $1,020,000 | Includes $152,905 relocation payment |
| Top Players | Five USWNT Players | >$800,000 (each) | Attributed to 2022 CBA and Olympic Gold |
Context & Impact Analysis
The release of these financial figures illustrates a two-pronged structural strategy by U.S. Soccer. On the women’s side, the compensation for Emma Hayes and top USWNT players demonstrates the execution of the 2022 collective bargaining agreement, which successfully established equitable pay structures and raised the global standard for women’s international football compensation.
On the men’s side, the Federation has pivoted toward utilizing private philanthropic funding to secure a high-profile international manager like Pochettino. This model—relying on hedge-fund donors and commercial partners to subsidize a manager’s salary—is highly unusual in international soccer but indicates U.S. Soccer’s urgency to field a competitive team ahead of the domestic 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Conclusion
The latest U.S. Soccer tax filings outline the unprecedented financial commitments made to secure top-tier coaching talent for both the USWNT and USMNT. The verified data confirms record salaries for Emma Hayes and Mauricio Pochettino, supported by a combination of federation revenues, historic CBA agreements, and private donor funding.
FAQ
How much does USWNT coach Emma Hayes make?
According to U.S. Soccer’s recent tax filing, Emma Hayes made nearly $1.5 million in her first 10 months, which includes $744,557 in base pay and $700,000 in bonuses connected to signing and the 2024 Olympic gold medal.
What is Mauricio Pochettino’s salary with U.S. Soccer?
Mauricio Pochettino earned roughly $5 million in his first seven months, which includes a $2.5 million signing bonus. His prorated annual base salary is over $4 million, potentially reaching $6 million with incentives.
How is U.S. Soccer funding Mauricio Pochettino’s contract?
Pochettino’s record-breaking salary is heavily supported by a philanthropic leadership gift from hedge-fund billionaire Ken Griffin, alongside contributions from Scott Goodwin and other commercial partners.
My Question
How will these high-profile, multi-million dollar coaching investments impact the future performance of the USWNT and USMNT? Share your thoughts on the financial direction of U.S. Soccer in the comments below!