Sporting advisory for ownership and senior club leadership.
A boutique advisory firm partnering with the leaders shaping the future of professional clubs.
How We Partner with Club Leadership
How USG partners with ownership and senior club leadership across sporting strategy, executive search, interim leadership, and integrated agency partnership.
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For owners and presidents who need clarity on how sporting decisions are made and who makes them. We work with leadership teams to define decision rights, operating rhythms, and the interface between owner, president, sporting director, and head coach.
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For clubs building or rebuilding a defensible recruitment process, we help design player profiles, cap strategy, and the operating cadence that keeps roster construction connected to sporting philosophy, with specific fluency in NWSL, MLS, and USL mechanics.
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For clubs seeking the right GM, sporting director, head of recruitment, or head coach. We handle the search itself alongside the structural preparation that determines whether the hire succeeds.
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For clubs navigating executive change, league expansion, or a rebuild. We provide a senior operator presence in-seat, stabilize sporting operations, and hand off to permanent leadership when the right structure is in place.
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For ownership groups and clubs that want a single, coordinated relationship across sporting strategy, executive search, and their working relationship with player agencies, rather than managing separate vendors. USG partners with leading global agencies to align representation dynamics with the club's sporting priorities, while handling sporting and search work directly. Limited capacity. Inquire for fit.
The Work, In Pattern
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Title: NWSL Franchise Rebuild During Executive Transition
Situation
An NWSL franchise emerging from a complete organizational reset. Internal trust fractured. External talent reluctant to join. A skeptical roster and staff needing to be persuaded that the next chapter would be different — before the credentialing hires that would define that chapter were in place.
Our Role
Engaged during executive transition to lead the sporting rebuild
Sold a long-term vision to the existing roster, staff, and external talent when none of the credentialing hires had yet been made
Repaired internal trust and rebuilt cultural foundations from the ground up
Recommended the elevation of an internal coaching candidate from interim to permanent — later validated when that coach was named NWSL Coach of the Year
Partnered with the incoming permanent GM through her hire and onboarding
Outcome
50% increase in wins
+22 goal differential
Three-spot jump in league standings
Repositioned as a credible destination for external talent, evidenced by the roster and coaching decisions that followed
Foundation built for the club's later trophy-winning era
Public credit: The head coach elevated during this engagement, Seb Hines, has spoken publicly about the work. His testimonial appears below.
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Situation
An NWSL franchise finishing dead last. No head coach. No permanent GM. Ownership in transition. Players openly weighing exits. A locker room and staff who had to be persuaded the next chapter would be different — before any of the leadership hires that would prove it were in place.
Our Role
Interim sporting leadership through the rebuild
Sold a long-term vision to the existing roster, staff, and external talent when none of the credentialing hires had yet been made
Negotiated a landmark international transfer setting a global benchmark for women's football valuations
Ran a parallel paid search engagement to identify and place the incoming President and Head Coach
Rebuilt sporting infrastructure, recruitment, and roster planning
Transitioned to a continuing sporting advisor role after a structured handoff to permanent leadership
Outcome
Four-place jump in league standings (14th to 10th) and +10 points
+10 goal differential improvement (-22 to -12)
Full roster and staff overhaul during the rebuild: new President, new Head Coach, new Assistant GM, and 14 new players
Net positive in player transactions heading into the following season
Repositioned as a destination of choice for external talent, evidenced by the volume of proactive player and agent interest in the club since the rebuild
Stable handoff to permanent leadership, with the engagement continuing in an ongoing advisory capacity
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Situation
The owner of a boutique soccer agency was approached by a leading global sports agency about an acquisition. The transaction needed to deliver value to the founding owner while positioning him for a leadership role within the acquiring company.
Our Role
Three-month acquisition advisory from initial conversations to closing
Strategic counsel on deal structure, valuation, and integration considerations
Continued advisory support post-close as the founder transitioned into his new role
Outcome
Successful sale
Founder appointed to a senior leadership role at the acquiring agency
Trusted advisory relationship continued post-transaction
Public credit: The founder, Dennis Chin — now President of Global Soccer at the acquiring agency — has spoken publicly about the work. His testimonial appears below.
“Erik helped me transition seamlessly to one of the biggest clubs in the world. Always professional, always one step ahead.”
“Erik is the best I’ve ever worked with. He sees the game through a unique lens, connects people across the football world, and executes at an elite level. Clubs that work with him move faster, think deeper, and achieve more.”
“Erik is one of the most trusted and forward-thinking leaders I’ve worked with in global football.”
“Erik is an outstanding partner in the sports world—always honest, forthcoming, and creative.”
“Erik’s combination of elite playing experience and organizational leadership made him an invaluable asset during our time at Orlando.”
When the decisions matter, the conversation is worth having.
If you're an ownership group, board, or club president navigating a moment that shapes your club's next three years, our inbox is open.