US Soccer names Crocker as new sporting director ahead of Women's World Cup

2023-04-26 12:45

US Soccer names Crocker as new sporting director ahead of Women's World Cup


US Soccer announced Matt Crocker as their new sporting director on Tuesday , appointing the former head of the UKFA's development team to support the Women's World Cup title defense.


Crocker , who is director of football operations at Premier League side Southampton, will officially take over on August 2 but will spend several weeks supporting the women's national team as they prepare for the World Cup, which will take place in Australia and France in July 2018 . New Zealand kicks off. July 20 . _

" In 12 of the past 13 years, the U.S. women's national team has had an unbelievable number one finish, " Crocker told reporters at a news conference on Tuesday. " But that gap has been narrowing. "

The United States is seeking an unprecedented third consecutive title and fifth overall.

" There are more professional leagues in Europe and the world now, " Crocker said. " The players are getting fitter and stronger because they're training every day in a professional environment ... You know, the chasers are behind us. "

His other main goal is to find a new head coach for the men's national team, which reached the knockout stages of last year's World Cup in Qatar.

 

US Soccer names Crocker as new sporting director ahead of Women's World Cup

A bitter row broke out between former coach Greg Behalter , United midfielder Gio Reyna and his parents, and the team was thrown into chaos after the game.

Berhalter 's contract expires on December 31 , but according to media reports, he is still in the framework of re-hiring.

" I think what I see from the current squad is a team that is aggressive, forward-thinking and fearless, they went to the World Cup and did some great things," said Crocker , who declined Comment on individual candidates.

" I really, really want to make sure we develop a coach who can replicate and continue to push some of those behaviors. "

Crocker left Southampton after three years, where he led the club's football operations, including the boys' first team, youth programs and women's and women's programmes. He left the club bottom of the Premier League's senior men's squad.

At the FA, he oversaw the England youth team's program from the Under -15s to the Under -20s .