The U.S. men's national team missing out on the 2018 World Cup sent shockwaves through the soccer world and saw Sunil Gulati opting to call an end to his 12-year reign as USSF president.

In the presidential election that followed, one word rang louder than all others: 'change'.

The eight candidates vying for the job all promised change in some form or another, whether it be to do with the current scouting networks, pay-for-play, inequality in the women's game or the need for promotion/relegation. 

When asked about the federation's top priority, the election's eventual winner, Carlos Cordeiro, said his first order of business would be securing co-hosting rights for the 2026 World Cup - along with Canada and Mexico. 

Using the new president's comments as a jump off point, Kevin Egan sits down with NASL interim commissioner Rishi Sehgal, 13-year MLS and NASL veteran Hunter Freeman, five-year NWSL veteran Stephanie Ochs, and a man who has seen (and called) it all, Phil Schoen, to discuss the future of the sport in America.

Part one of our three-part series focuses on how to best marry the business side of the game with youth development. 

Part Two: Promotion/Relegation 

Part Three: Inclusion and Access