Episode #76 of the Training Ground Guru Podcast, in association with Genius Sports, is with US Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker.

Matt has been in role for almost three years and is responsible for setting the Federation’s sporting vision and performance strategy across all 27 national teams.

2026 is going to be a huge year for both Matt and US Soccer, with the opening of a new national training centre in Georgia and hosting a home World Cup. 

Before joining US Soccer, the proud Welshman was Head of Coaching and Development for the English Football Association and Director of Football for Southampton. I spoke to him about his career, about his current role and about his ambitions for this summer and beyond.

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SHOW NOTES =>

01:57: Opening of the new National Training Centre.

06:48: Big year ahead, with a home men's World Cup in the summer.

08:30: Almost three years in post now - reflections so far.

13:07: Pay to play in United States/ what is being done to make football more accessible for all. 

16:18: Academy system in US compared to in England.

17:37: Composition of the senior squads - mostly based in Europe or at home?

19:13: Is this summer's World Cup key to growing the game in US?

20:52: What would constitute success for US at the World Cup?

23:10: How impressed have you been by Mauricio Pochettino? 

24:42: Was it hard to land Pochettino and Emma Hayes?

25:54: US Women winning the Olympics just 10 weeks after Hayes had been appointed

27:37: Do the two Head Coaches - and others within the Federation - provide challenge for you?

28:58: How Hayes keeps him "on his toes."

29:44: Will Pochettino get longer with his players than eg Thomas Tuchel in run-up to World Cup. 

31:18: Personal journey - starting his career at Cardiff City. Influence of Gavin Tait.

34:26: Joining Southampton as Academy Manager in 2006.

37:41: Pochettino developing young players at Southampton.

39:20: Joining Football Association as Head of Coaching and Player Development in 2013.

41:05: Three mentors: Dan Ashworth, Dave Reddin and Kirk Vallis.

44:04: Benefits of hiring people from outside football/ having diversity of ideas and experience.

46:10: Returning to Southampton as Director of Football in 2019.

50:49: Joining US Soccer as their second ever Sporting Director in 2023.

52:23: Confidence had been "rock bottom" after Southampton.

54:16: Difficulty of sticking to a long-term plan at a club.

56:02: One of first things he did was reappoint Gregg Berhalter as Men’s Head Coach through to the 2026 World Cup. A year later he was sacked after early exit in Copa America.

57:25: Ambitions for the future - return to grassroots coaching.