There has been some big USMNT news this weekend as a new sporting director for U.S. Soccer is set to be hired, Christian Pulisic has been urged to join Aston Villa and Antonee Robinson made his 100th appearance for Fulham.
USMNT news: Who is the new sporting director?
U.S. Soccer is in need of a new sporting director to replace Earnie Stewart who departed earlier this year. The next person in the role will start the ball rolling for the appointment of the next permanent head coach of the Stars and Stripes.
The Athletic has reported that “Southampton director of football operations Matt Crocker is set to be named the U.S. Soccer Federation’s sporting director, multiple sources familiar with the hiring process told The Athletic on Sunday. Those sources requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the hire.”
Crocker has spent two spells at the Premier League side, with his most recent time at the club from 2019 to the present. The Saints are currently the bottom side in English football’s top flight and are on their third manager of the season.
The director would have been involved with the club talking to Jesse Marsch about taking over as manager after the sacking of Nathan Jones. Marsch is wanted by many to be the next head coach of the USMNT and depending on how those talks went, then the American could be back in the frame for being Gregg Berhalter’s permanent successor.
USMNT news: Christian Pulisic to Aston Villa
Christian Pulisic was recently left out of both legs of Chelsea’s defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League. He needs to move in order to get regular playing time and football reporter Mark Ogden has urged him to join Aston Villa.
Speaking to ESPN, Ogden said, “I think he would be good for Aston Villa, I think Unai Emery is a smart coach who would get the best out of him. So if Aston Villa has got the ambition to get him I think it would be a good move for him.
This is just speculation but the transfer would be logical for Pulisic to join another team in the Premier League where he could play regularly and one that should have European soccer for next season.
USMNT news: Antonee Robinson joins Fulham’s 100 club
Robinson made his 100th appearance for Fulham in his side’s 2-1 victory over Leeds United in the Premier League on Saturday. The result is big from a USMNT perspective. Both Robinson and Tim Ream played 90 minutes for the Cottagers and the win leaves them ninth in the division.
However, it was a bad day for Brenden Aaronson and Weston McKennie who were both taken off in the 65th and 80th minute respectively. Tyler Adams was not involved due to injury. Leeds is now just one point above the drop zone in the division and relegation would have a big impact on where these players will be playing their soccer next season.
