US Soccer was requiring prior to Betty being hired that all the coaches had to reside in Chicago. Did you know he still resides in the UK? Did you know Betty didn't attend the Uruguay game or any of the Copa games? What might be so important that the Sporting Director not come to our last real competitive games prior to the World Cup that we are hosting? Betty decided it was more important for him to attend the Euros. He doesn't understand what the uproar is about? Even non soccer sports broadcasters are calling out the lack of progress and he is insulated in Europe. Let that sink in.
One of my sources is Derick Richie of 'The Straight Red Card' podcast who use to write for this very forum. He won't divulge his sources if he did he would not have any. Among the notables that have been on his show are Lala's, Meola, Wynalda, noted soccer journalist Meg Swanick and many others.
im going to semi maybe defend crocker a little he clearly was told when he was hired that they were looking for long term improvement in the entire set, usmnt, usynt, uswnt. maybe he and maybe us soccer didn't view the copa and the 26 wc as part of that long term plan. maybe his plan is well beyond that and they are all resigned to the fact the two tournaments wouldn't go well. Also lets not forget what tyler adams...the heart of the usmnt...the player that never gives up said before the copa. when he was asked about his outlook for the copa he replied 'I think it’s great to have this little pre-run, but I think we’re more focused on our performances in this and how we can develop, rather than necessarily just the results or not.'. meaning the tournament didn't really mean anything to him its about how this sets them up for 26. I am sure thats what he is telling crocker and the board.
I'm not worried about any of the stuff about him being away from the team. He's the technical director, not the coach. No role to play on gameday. He's an administrator. How he responds to this recent tournament will dictate how I feel.
Ok then find a source to prove him wrong..... We are now a nation of citizen journalists thanks to twitter and other social media. He has sources prove him wrong. You are waiting for some talking head on ESPN or Foxsports to say what's happening. He has more connections in American soccer than about three or four of you that post in here. Apologies to Brian S. you are one of the three or four. BTW He has appeared on Derik's show also.
I didn’t know that Crocker wasn’t at the Copa America. If he wasn’t, he should be tarred and feathered. I don’t care if he’s the coach or not, you’re in charge of this program, unless you have some horrible family emergency, that’s an unforgivable offense. At the same time, he’s on thin ice anyways for re-hiring Berhalter.
Another thing is it’s a shame that we didn’t put more of a priority on the Copa America. The hype going into it seemed half hearted. And the results were worse. We should be demanding to be in this tournament every 4 years. As this should be considered our Euros. And we should take it every bit as seriously as that.
I will not give US soccer and Crocker a pass on this. They were lowering expectations before the tournament started. Well guess what US Soccer you were successful in that at least.
I think if someone who is not particularly reputable, has no track record of credible scoops, and is just a guy with a podcast the burden is on him to prove himself credible. Just because someone calls themselves a citizen journalist doesn’t make them one or mean they should be believed. Especially someone with zero track record compared to some of the more credible reporters out there. The burden is on him to prove himself accurate. Having more connections than me within US Soccer is an extremely low bar and doesn’t really mean anything in terms of being a credible source. It’s confirmation bias to think someone is credible just because what they say confirms your priors.
"burden is on him to prove himself credible." If you call someone a liar the burden of proof is on you.
Imagine prior to Copa you had everyone in Soccer media calling this "A Golden Generation" and then just before the tournament was to start they started lowering expectations. "Ohh its just part of the process." Well they were very successful in lowering expectations.
no that isn't what confirmation bias is haha if you hear it from one place...then another thats some level of confirmation and nobody has said the meeting didn't happen, there weren't arguments and crocker didn't have to be flown in from europe to attend.
I mean yes someone who claims to have inside sources but has zero track record shouldn’t automatically be believed.
Zero track record! I gave you a partial list of big soccer names that have appeared on his show. You do not get people like that to appear if you don't have some sort of access and have developed sources.
And what story has he ever broken? And what sources would he have that reporters like Steven Goff and Doug McIntyre don’t have within USSF? Tannenwald at the Philadelphia Inquirer has been having conversations with sources at USSF about this exact topic. And suddenly these people stop talking to the reporters they’ve given scoops to for years and instead are giving the real story to some random guy with a podcast? It’s nonsensical.
It’s an interesting dynamic that the same people who were really upset that Earnie Stewart required the coach live in Chicago are really upset about reports (which may not be true) that the sporting director barely spends any time there.
Crocker is an administrator with a lot more duties than just overseeing the USMNT. How he responds to the result is what matters more. He didn't actually attend the last Women's World Cup either. But......................he was the one who showed Andonovski the door as coach of the women's team (allowed him to fall on his own sword) and hired Emma Hayes (one of the best club coaches in the women's game). The previous general manager, Kate Margraf, stuck with Andonovki despite the alarming Olympics performance. Cost her the job as her contract wasn't renewed. That's the mistake that USSF leadership can't replicate. The team was not going in the right direction towards the World Cup. Yes, Matt Crocker is now in charge of the women's team. All youth teams; both boys and girls. All extended national teams as well. Basically, everything that's going on within US Soccer on the Sporting side. He has a very different job description then Brian McBride had. Matt Crocker IS NOT the "general manager" of the USMNT like Brian was.
I don’t care if he doesn’t even like to watch soccer. Sit your butt down, and support the team, if you’re a member of the staff.
You guys want the Sporting Director to be present in US games at the US then hire a local Director. But if they do it would be someone with experience in MLS or some retired USMNT player living here in US. When they do that the fan base goes crazy saying this is nepotism and an old boys club. Anyone hired from within the US circle would be seen as no improvement from US fan base. They hired someone from abroad that won't live here and US fans complain. USSF makes it a requirement they have to live in Chicago and US fans complain.
I don’t agree with the rhetoric, but yeah, you’re right. Copa was a big effing deal. What the hell????
Fair enough. This guy might be credible or he might not be. But surely you understand that most of us are going to be massively skeptical.