At 40, Elizabeth Cohen has emerged as the strategic engine behind Major League Soccer’s evolution, merging a finance career with a lifelong love of the sport that began in Hong Kong.
From hedge funds to soccer strategy
After earning a B.S. in business management from King’s College London, she started as a buy‑side analyst in New York while volunteering with FC Harlem, a youth soccer program. In 2014 she joined MLS, initially handling finance before being asked to build a strategic planning team from the ground up.
Redesigning the calendar
Cohen’s team conducted extensive fan research, modeling and stakeholder consultations that paved the way for a summer‑to‑spring schedule. The proposal won a 29‑1 vote among owners, aligning MLS more closely with the global soccer calendar and reshaping the league’s operational rhythm.
A broader mandate
Today her remit spans strategy, fan research, analytics, commercial operations, marketing, sporting matters and club services, giving her a seat at the table for decisions that affect every facet of the league.
Beyond the boardroom
Married to Daniel and a mother of two, Cohen balances family life with her high‑profile role, a personal dimension that often informs her fan‑centric approach. Commissioner Don Garber has repeatedly highlighted her as a rising star, underscoring the growing impact of her work on the league’s future.