Chicago - Carlos Cordeiro, vice president of the US Soccer Federation, announced Wednesday his bid to replace Sunil Gulati as president in the wake of the Americans' failure to reach the 2018 Russia World Cup.

Gulati, who has run US Soccer since 2006, was widely criticized over the US failure to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1986 in regional qualifying last month.

"Our sport is at a critical juncture and while we have accomplished much together, there are significant changes to address if we are to consistently fulfill our potential," Cordeiro said in a posting on his Twitter page.

"These challenges require new leadership with an inclusive, collaborative and dynamic approach to establish our great nation as a real force in domestic and international soccer."

Cordeiro, a former Goldman Sachs executive, cited his experience on FIFA and CONCACAF (North American) committees and the importance of American leadership with a unified USA-Mexico-Canada bid considered a top contender for the 2026 World Cup.

"It is critically important that the US Soccer president commands international respect given our ambitions to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup... and the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2027," he wrote.

Gulati, who has run unopposed for the presidency in the past three elections, has not said if he will run for another term, although he has said he has reached out to potential voters for support.

Other announced candidates to lead US Soccer include Boston attorney Steven Gans and former national team player Eric Wynalda, now a television commentator.

The election will be conducted at US Soccer's annual meeting in February although candidates must be registered by mid-December to allow time for vetting.