Alexi Lalas. Naomi Girma. Tim Howard. Landon Donovan. Richard Motzkin has represented them all. In this conversation with Ryan, Rich shares his journey from big-firm lawyer to becoming U.S. Soccer’s first in-house counsel—and how that leap led to launching his own agency before MLS even had a name. He paints the early days of the league like a scrappy startup, complete with fax machines and jersey swaps that revealed just how far U.S. soccer had to go. Now a top exec at Wasserman, Rich reflects on what’s changed, what still holds the sport back, and why chasing happiness—not just trophies—remains his true north.
