For the first time in over a decade, the election for the presidency of the U.S. Soccer Federation will be contested.
The reason why is simple math. In the past, Sunil Gulati had votes from the Pro Council, Athletes Council, life members and board members locked up, getting close to the threshold needed to win. It never required much more support to push him into an unassailable lead; not so anymore.
In the wake of the failure by the men's national team to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, Gulati's base of support has eroded within the USSF National Council, the group that will actually vote in the election.