As the newly appointed sporting director of the U.S. Soccer Federation, Matt Crocker has been tasked with overseeing national team ecosystems and articulating a vision for the sport’s future.
He will need to navigate the labyrinthine of player development — “his passion,” he said — and apply his 25-plus years of experience in the English game, most recently with Southampton in the Premier League.
But the massive decision standing at the forefront — hiring a men’s national team coach — is what could end up defining his tenure.
“Clearly we want to get a head coach — and the right head coach — to lead the program in place as soon as possible,” the Welshman said Tuesday.