FEDERATION NEWS
CHICAGO (April 25, 2023) – The U.S. Soccer Federation has appointed Matt Crocker as the next Sporting Director. The former English Football Association Head of Development Teams and Southampton Director of Football Operations brings more than 25 years of experience in player development and coaching with proven success at the club, youth, and senior international levels.
As Sporting Director, Crocker will oversee U.S. Soccer’s entire Sporting Department, focusing on the Men’s and Women’s National Team programs, Youth National Teams, and the Extended National Teams. Crocker will be responsible for setting U.S. Soccer’s sporting vision, overseeing the performance of all national teams, implementing the technical development plan, developing sporting culture, philosophy, ensuring greater communication, and sharing of best practices.
www.ussoccer.com
So what's your thoughts on this ussf choice for director?
"We asked Crocker for his account of how the English youth program has improved and also provide advice for coaches and parents of young players.
SOCCER AMERICA: How do you explain the recent success of England’s youth national teams?
MATT CROCKER: I think it’s a combination of a four-year project, a real clear vision about us wanting to be successful at the top senior level, targeting 2022 and podium finishes thereafter in terms of World Cups.
Working back, in 2012, 2013, when we first started this program, we built a clear strategy, put processes in place, put specific measurable targets for all of our teams, and created an aligned pathway from our youngest age group, under-15, through the senior team.
We’ve now got consistency in our environment both on and off the grass in terms of our coaching program, our system and style of play, how we’re recruiting, and what types of players we’re looking for to play in the various positions.
It’s not a fluke by any stretch of the imagination. We worked really, really hard in terms of getting consistency across all of our age groups. It’s a combination of getting buy-in from our staff, and also the players, and massively supported by the clubs, who helped us in terms providing the players to be successful in these tournaments.
SA: Was a change in playing style part of it?
MATT CROCKER: I wouldn’t say a change in playing style. Obviously, we have our DNA [Love the ball, love the game: Age-phase priorities] and our “in and out of possession” principles of what we want our teams to look like and the way we want to set ourselves out.
However, I just think it’s more to do with consistency and also focus. The focus was on us and what we were going to do, what we needed to do to win the game rather than be worried or scared of the opposition.
Obviously, we have to be aware of the tactical systems and key players of the opposition, but it’s more about us imposing our style on the opposition rather than us being fearful and potentially change the way we would like to play based on the opposition.
We have to be mindful, but it is more about setting the game plan about what we needed to do to win and sticking to our playing style philosophy in DNA.
www.socceramerica.com
CHICAGO (April 25, 2023) – The U.S. Soccer Federation has appointed Matt Crocker as the next Sporting Director. The former English Football Association Head of Development Teams and Southampton Director of Football Operations brings more than 25 years of experience in player development and coaching with proven success at the club, youth, and senior international levels.
As Sporting Director, Crocker will oversee U.S. Soccer’s entire Sporting Department, focusing on the Men’s and Women’s National Team programs, Youth National Teams, and the Extended National Teams. Crocker will be responsible for setting U.S. Soccer’s sporting vision, overseeing the performance of all national teams, implementing the technical development plan, developing sporting culture, philosophy, ensuring greater communication, and sharing of best practices.
U.S. Soccer Federation Appoints Matt Crocker To Role Of Sporting Director | U.S. Soccer Official Website
Former English Football Association Head of Development Teams and Southampton Director of Football Operations to Oversee all Technical Aspects of U.S. Soccer
So what's your thoughts on this ussf choice for director?
"We asked Crocker for his account of how the English youth program has improved and also provide advice for coaches and parents of young players.
SOCCER AMERICA: How do you explain the recent success of England’s youth national teams?
MATT CROCKER: I think it’s a combination of a four-year project, a real clear vision about us wanting to be successful at the top senior level, targeting 2022 and podium finishes thereafter in terms of World Cups.
Working back, in 2012, 2013, when we first started this program, we built a clear strategy, put processes in place, put specific measurable targets for all of our teams, and created an aligned pathway from our youngest age group, under-15, through the senior team.
We’ve now got consistency in our environment both on and off the grass in terms of our coaching program, our system and style of play, how we’re recruiting, and what types of players we’re looking for to play in the various positions.
It’s not a fluke by any stretch of the imagination. We worked really, really hard in terms of getting consistency across all of our age groups. It’s a combination of getting buy-in from our staff, and also the players, and massively supported by the clubs, who helped us in terms providing the players to be successful in these tournaments.
SA: Was a change in playing style part of it?
MATT CROCKER: I wouldn’t say a change in playing style. Obviously, we have our DNA [Love the ball, love the game: Age-phase priorities] and our “in and out of possession” principles of what we want our teams to look like and the way we want to set ourselves out.
However, I just think it’s more to do with consistency and also focus. The focus was on us and what we were going to do, what we needed to do to win the game rather than be worried or scared of the opposition.
Obviously, we have to be aware of the tactical systems and key players of the opposition, but it’s more about us imposing our style on the opposition rather than us being fearful and potentially change the way we would like to play based on the opposition.
We have to be mindful, but it is more about setting the game plan about what we needed to do to win and sticking to our playing style philosophy in DNA.
Matt Crocker on English youth soccer revolution (SA September 2017 interview)
On Tuesday, Crocker will be named U.S. Soccer's new sporting director, replacing Earnie Stewart.
www.socceramerica.com
