A Conversation With US Soccer Legend Eddie Pope | OneFootball

Few figures embody Major League Soccer’s journey from fragile startup to global player quite like Eddie Pope. In a candid conversation, the former U.S. international discusses his career path and where American soccer is headed in a rapidly evolving global game. 

Eddie Pope is a revered name in U.S. Soccer, and one of, if not the finest defender the country has ever produced. Now 52, his career has left a lasting impact both on the field and beyond it.

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His first season as a pro coincided with the birth of MLS, and he helped shape the league’s identity from the jump. After his rookie year, he was reportedly drawing interest from European giants like Ajax and Liverpool, a rare feat at a time when MLS was still fighting for credibility. Pope instead chose to stay, committing himself to building the young league. With DC United, he anchored an early dynasty, scoring the winning goal in the first MLS Cup and winning eight trophies, including three league titles and two international titles.

For the United States men’s national team, he earned 82 caps, scored eight goals, and played in three World Cups — highlighted by the historic 2002 quarterfinal run — while also lifting the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Off the field, Pope has remained influential, serving as Director of Player Relations for the MLS Players Association, later working as an agent, and now acting as Sporting Director of Carolina Core FC in MLS NEXT Pro. In a sit-down interview with Urban Pitch, he reflects on MLS’s evolution, player development pathways, the business of growth, and where American soccer goes from here.

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Urban Pitch: In simple terms, what does it really mean to operate as an independent club within the MLS NEXT Pro system? Where do the Carolina Core stand right now, and how do you see the club fitting into the broader developmental structure tied to Major League Soccer?

Eddie Pope: As an independent club, we’re not affiliated with a specific MLS first team. Most MLS organizations have their own MLS NEXT Pro side, which allows them to move players up and down between the first team and NEXT Pro. They can also bring academy players into the professional environment and sign outside talent directly into their structure.

For us, it’s a bit different. We are effectively the first team, and we’re still building out the full academy pathway. Given how young the club is, the long-term vision is to develop players internally and move them from our academy into our professional side.

From there, our role is to create opportunities. That could mean players moving on to an MLS club, to the USL Championship or USL League One, or even to Europe. We see ourselves as a true development platform, with a clear pathway for players to grow and take the next step in their careers.

What specifically attracted you to this position as Chief Sporting Officer? 

For me, it really started with location. High Point, North Carolina is home — it’s where I grew up and developed as a youth player. I benefited from the local universities, soccer camps, club teams, and even playing down at the YMCA. The community poured into me, so the chance to help build professional soccer here felt meaningful.

This region deserves a professional club. North Carolina is a soccer hotbed, and that absolutely includes the High Point–Greensboro–Winston-Salem area and the greater Triad. So being able to bring the pro game to this market was a big part of the appeal.

On a personal level, after playing for many years, working with the Players Association, and spending time as an agent, this felt like the right opportunity. Even though it’s a startup and a smaller operation, the challenge is the same: building a squad, running a team, and shaping a club’s identity. There’s something special about building from the ground up.

One of the most rewarding parts is creating a true pathway, watching young players grow from the academy level toward the first team. That’s a huge box to check, and we already have some exciting prospects moving in that direction. At the same time, developing first-team players and seeing them earn moves to higher levels, like the USL Championship, which we were able to do this year, is incredibly satisfying.

And for the club itself, reaching the playoffs for the first time was a big milestone. It’s been a really good ride so far.

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What are the KPIs or top goals for a club like the Carolina Core within the MLS Next Pro system? Player development and selling players on? It really seems like a good time to be in the “business” of player transfers in the U.S. 

Yes, absolutely. Especially at the youth level. Take MLS NEXT showcases, for example. You now see agents and scouts from all over the world in attendance. Big clubs like Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund, and Benfica are sending representatives. There’s a clear understanding that the U.S. market is producing talent, and that there are opportunities both domestically and abroad.

We’ve already seen clubs like the New York Red Bulls, Philadelphia Union, and FC Dallas build strong reputations for developing players and moving them overseas. They’ve laid the groundwork and shown that the pathway is real.

For us, it ultimately comes down to getting players into our environment and developing them the right way. We believe we have the structure and the vision to do that. Long term, we want Carolina Core to be known as a place where players can grow, improve, and earn opportunities at a higher level — whether that’s in MLS or abroad.

As an independent club within MLS NEXT Pro, how does that work financially? If Carolina Core were to sell a young player to Europe and receive a percentage of the transfer fee, does that revenue go directly to the club? Or is it shared within the broader MLS system, the way it traditionally works with MLS-owned teams?

You can never fully step outside the system. There is still some sharing involved when it comes to things like transfer revenue. That said, MLS NEXT Pro operates a bit differently from MLS itself, and that’s important.

For example, there’s no salary cap, no minimum, and no maximum. That gives clubs more flexibility in how they build their roster and manage their squad. That freedom matters, especially for an independent club like us.

Because we’re not tied to an MLS first team, our players aren’t locked into a single pathway. They’re not limited to moving up within one specific MLS organization. That gives them, and us, more options.

Our model is also different. Take a club like Charlotte FC, for example. Their MLS NEXT Pro team is primarily focused on developing players for the first team and eventually selling them on. That can mean more roster turnover. If a player isn’t progressing toward the first team, he likely needs to move elsewhere.

For us, it’s a bit broader. Yes, we want to develop players, that’s central to what we do. But we’re also focused on building a competitive team, winning games, filling the stadium, and creating a product our fans connect with. We want to be part of the community. We want families to see coming to our matches as something they do on weekends or even midweek. We want a real supporter section and a genuine fan base.

So while MLS-affiliated clubs may lean more heavily toward pure player development, we’re balancing development with building a strong, sustainable club identity on and off the field.

Is this just the new reality for clubs in the Americas: Developing young players with the expectation they’ll be sold early to Europe, rather than building a long track record at home first?

The market has expanded. Clubs now have global reach, and it’s easier than ever to identify and recruit talent from different regions. At the same time, the overall level of players has improved across the board.

Of course, traditional powers like Spain and England still dominate financially, and countries like Argentina and Brazil continue to produce top talent. But now you also see strong development coming from places like Chile, Paraguay, and especially the United States. With MLS NEXT, American players are more polished at a younger age, and they have more options. European clubs know that, so they approach these players earlier and offer to bring them into their own systems.

The positive side is that the pathway now works both ways. It’s not just about young players leaving. There are also players in big European systems, maybe a 20-year-old at Manchester United who won’t break through, looking for a real opportunity to continue their careers. In the past, some of those players might have been left behind. Now, leagues like MLS and MLS NEXT Pro offer a viable alternative.

Financially, MLS has become much stronger and more competitive, which makes it an attractive option for players who may not reach the very top tier in Europe. MLS NEXT Pro, especially independent clubs, can benefit from that as well, by becoming a landing spot for talented players looking for the right environment to grow and compete.

Looking back at your time as Director of Player Relations with the Players Union, what do you feel was fundamentally achieved during that period? And as a follow-up, how would you describe the relationship between MLS and the Players Union today?

At that time, the league was still growing and trying to establish itself. The main goal was to make sure that as MLS expanded, with stronger ownership groups and more financial stability, the players grew along with it. It wasn’t just about salaries, although money was certainly part of it.

A lot of the early focus was on basic working conditions: What kind of hotels were teams staying in? Were they in safe areas? How many travel connections did players have to make to get to a game? What were the training and playing surfaces like? Did players have proper meals covered? It was about raising the overall professional standard and making sure players were treated properly.

Those foundational improvements really mattered. And to be fair, the league wasn’t necessarily trying to block progress. But having a Players Association helped move things forward more quickly and more formally than they might have otherwise.

Yes, there were tense moments, that’s natural in any labor relationship. But there was enough balance for the league to survive and eventually thrive. When you look at where MLS is now compared to those early days, the growth is obvious.

One of the most satisfying parts has been seeing former players move into coaching, front office roles, and GM positions. They experienced the league from the player side, and now they’re in positions of leadership where they can keep those standards in mind. That continuity has helped MLS continue to mature. The league has come a long way.

Photo by Ronald Martinez/MLS/Getty Images

Could you have imagined MLS growing to 30 teams, with full youth systems and a developmental league in place? Looking at where the league is now compared to 1996, how does that make you feel?

It really is amazing. No, none of us could have imagined the league would grow into what it is today. Back then, it was fragile. There were ownership groups who stepped up and helped keep the league alive, strong leadership at the league office, and players who were true pioneers and endured a lot to make it work.

In those early days, things were very different. Sometimes you didn’t know where you were training. At times, you were doing your own laundry. Everyone was grinding just to keep things moving. There were great moments, of course, but it was a struggle.

Now you look at young players entering MLS and they’re walking into $40 million training facilities. That would have been unthinkable in 1996. The growth over the past 25-plus years has been incredible.

It’s been extremely satisfying to watch. And I think the rest of the world sees it too. That’s why international clubs are paying attention. They see what’s been built here, how quickly the league has grown, and how fast players are developing.

With the World Cup coming and the major build up to the competition, what does a post-World Cup world look like for soccer in the United States? 

If I had to point to one thing, it would be creating a clearer and stronger pathway from MLS NEXT Pro to the first team.

Clubs and ownership groups are investing a lot of money into player development at the NEXT Pro level. At some point, you have to lean into that investment and give more of those players real opportunities in MLS. Maybe that means “ripping the band-aid off” a bit and trusting young players, even if the transition is a little bumpy at first.

Of course, first teams want star players. They want established names, sometimes from Europe, and that makes sense. But you can layer those players in while still promoting and developing your own talent.

MLS NEXT has done a great job moving players into NEXT Pro, and in some cases directly into MLS. The next step is making sure more NEXT Pro players break through and stay on the field at the MLS level. It might take patience, but those players will grow into strong contributors.

With the amount of money being invested in NEXT Pro, ownership groups will want to see a return. Strengthening that pathway is key to making the model work long term.

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You played for three clubs in MLS but you are always going to be one of the main faces of the early DC United teams and a benchmark for DC United players. Are you surprised by the club’s struggles since its great run in the late ’90s? 

I’m not directly involved with the club anymore, so I don’t know all the details behind the scenes.

That said, some things have clearly improved — having their own stadium and training facility, for example. Those are things I would have loved to have as a player. So in that sense, there’s definitely been progress.

Like any club, there are strong stretches and there are periods that feel a bit more average. They may be in one of those transitional moments right now. But I know there are big plans in place for the future.

It’s still my former club and one I care deeply about, so I’m hopeful. With a new coach and some changes happening, it’ll be interesting to see how it all develops. I’m excited to watch it unfold and hoping things trend upward.

Are you surprised that players who led the club to success in those early years — like Jaime Moreno, Marco Etcheverry, and John Harkes — never had the opportunity to coach the team? Ben Olsen had a long run, but some of the biggest names from that era didn’t get the chance to carry on that winning culture.

I think, to be fair, DC United has acknowledged that a bit and improved in how they reconnect with former players. They’ve invited us back, included us in different events, and been very gracious in many ways.

Early on, though, the club had a very strong figure in Bruce Arena. He really set the tone and drove much of the success. You saw that wherever Bruce went, success tended to follow. Sometimes you do need that central, steady leadership to steer the ship.

More recently, I think the club has started to recognize the value of its history and the players who built it. And I believe that will continue moving forward.

In Europe and South America, it’s more common to see former legends return to coach their clubs. Those teams have been around for 100 years, and that tradition is deeply rooted. Fans connect with it. They love seeing someone who wore the shirt come back to lead the team. In American sports, that doesn’t always happen the same way.

But MLS is still relatively young. As the league and its clubs continue to mature, I think we’ll see more of that tradition develop over time.

How do you feel about the U.S. heading into the World Cup under Mauricio Pochettino? Were you surprised by how much he experimented?

I think what Pochettino did actually makes a lot of sense. When you experiment and bring in different players, you create competition. Players who may have felt comfortable suddenly realize their spots aren’t guaranteed. That pushes everyone to raise their level.

Some people thought it was risky to experiment so close to a World Cup, but I believe he knew exactly what he was doing. He’s coached at the highest level, managed big clubs and big personalities. He understands how to handle star players and role players alike.

U.S. Soccer gave him the time and freedom to implement his ideas, and now it’s starting to pay off. Six months ago, maybe people were nervous. Now, there’s more confidence around the team.

And playing at home is huge. There’s nothing like home-field advantage. The comfort, the support, the energy — that matters. I think the group is in a good place heading into the tournament.

With the World Cup expanding, are you concerned about the level of competition and what that means for the U.S. long-term?

That’s a very real concern. On one hand, expanding the tournament gives more countries an opportunity, which is important. On the other hand, you need high-level competition to grow.

This issue isn’t just at the senior level — it’s happening at youth levels too. You have to ask: who are you playing to prepare for a World Cup? Olympic qualifying, U-20 tournaments, the level of competition matters.

Europe has the EUROs, which constantly sharpens top teams. South America has Copa América. Those tournaments keep raising the standard. In our region, we don’t consistently face that same level of intensity.

For the U.S., it’s simple: we need to play as many tough matches as possible, as often as possible. Whether that means Copa América invitations or stronger intercontinental competition, we have to seek it out.

Photo by Stephen Dunn /Getty Images

Qualifiers are also important. Being battle-tested, playing in difficult environments, hostile stadiums, that builds character. Host nations sometimes miss out on that edge because they don’t have to qualify.

As for the expanded World Cup, it’s about how it’s structured. There still won’t be “easy” games, but you do wonder where that early major test will come from — that game that forces you to grow quickly.

Ultimately, if the U.S. wants to close the gap with the top nations, consistent high-level competition is essential. Without it, development becomes harder. It’ll be interesting to see how international soccer balances expansion with maintaining that competitive edge moving forward.

Interview edited for clarity and brevity.