Report: Donovan considering running for U.S. Soccer presidency

The best footballer to ever represent the United States men's national team is reportedly weighing the option of running for office.

According to Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl, Landon Donovan is mulling a run for U.S. Soccer president. The USMNT's joint-top scorer is apparently being asked by respected figures within American soccer to contemplate running, as they're concerned about Sunil Gulati continuing to control technical decisions - including the hiring of head coaches - and believe the ex-footballer is qualified to handle the job.

After the USMNT suffered a humiliating 2-1 defeat in Trinidad and Tobago and failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, Gulati announced that he won't resign as U.S. Soccer president and refused to rule out running for re-election. The next election takes place in February.

"I don't plan to resign ... it's not the right day for me to talk about my personal future plans in terms of the fed' presidency," Gulati said last Friday.

Gulati, U.S. Soccer president since 2006, ran unopposed in three campaigns, but will be challenged by Steve Gans, founder of Professional Soccer Advisors, as well as Paul Lapointe, manager of the United Soccer League's Northeast Conference. Eric Wynalda, who played for the USMNT, is also contemplating a run.

Guidelines stipulate that Gulati is only allowed to serve one more term.