April 26 – Matt Crocker has been appointed sporting director of the US Soccer Federation, leaving relegation-threatened English Premier League Southampton to take over from Earnie Stewart.
Crocker, who was director of football operations at Southampton and had already announced last December he would be leaving the club at the end of the season, will take the reins officially on August 2 but will spend the weeks before supporting the US women’s national team in the build-up to the World Cup, which kicks off in Australia and New Zealand on July 20.
“Twelve of the last 13 years, the U.S. women’s national team has had an unbelievable record of being the number one team,” Crocker told reporters at a news conference on Tuesday. “But that gap is getting closed all the time.”
The United States are seeking an unprecedented third consecutive title and fifth overall.
“There’s more professional leagues across Europe and the world now,” said Crocker. “The players are fitter and stronger because they get to train every day in a professional environment… the chasing pack is, you know, is right on our heels.”
Crocker’s main task thereafter will be to find a new head coach for the US men’s team which has been without one since Gregg Berhalter’s contract expired on December 31. Anthony Hudson has been serving as the team’s interim coach – and most recently led the USMNT to a 1-1 tie vs. Mexico.
Berhalter is reportedly still in the frame to be rehired according to media reports.
“I guess what I see from the current team is an aggressive, a forward thinking and a fearless team that went to the World Cup and did some great stuff,” said Crocker. “I’m really, really keen to make sure that we produce a coach that can replicate and continue to drive forward some of those behaviours.”
In June the US men defend their Nations League title in Las Vegas and their Gold Cup title which follows immediately after, culminating in the final in Los Angeles at the SoFi Stadium.
Crocker, who exits Southampton after three years, added: “This is a tremendous opportunity to build an elite programme and to help raise the level of soccer in the United States.”
“I am looking forward to working with the entire U.S. Soccer community, including coaches, clubs, and players at all levels, to develop a clear and consistent playing philosophy and to identify and advance talent across the country.”
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