Southampton's Patel appointed Director of Analytics for US Soccer
Natasha Patel: Has worked for Southampton in two separate spells spanning a decade
Written by Simon Austin — May 14, 2024
Southampton’s Natasha Patel has been appointed Director of Analytics for US Soccer, working with their men’s, women’s and youth teams.
The move reunites her with Matt Crocker, the Sporting Director of US Soccer who was previously Director of Football at Southampton. It also comes at an exciting time for the Federation, with the opening of its first National Training Center due for 2026, as well as co-hosting the Men’s World Cup in 2026.
Patel, who was our guest on Episode #64 of the TGG Podcast, is currently Assistant Academy Director at Southampton and one of the most experienced women working in men's professional football.
She has worked for Southampton in two separate spells spanning a decade. Patel joined Saints' embryonic analysis department in 2011, going on to lead it as Head of Performance Analysis. In 2019, she left to take up the same role with New York Red Bulls in the MLS.
Speaking to the TGG Podcast, she remembered: “When I went out there, I didn't know anyone. I'd come from a football club I'd been at for nine years, where I'd spent my twenties and loved every minute, and moved across the world.
“It really tested me and everything I thought about myself: the good, the bad and the ugly. And that's part of why I went. I'd been part of a great department, a great football club, and wanted to go to somewhere new and really test myself.”
At the end of 2022, Patel got the chance to return to her beloved Saints as Assistant Academy Director. TGG understands that Saints will now recruit for a replacement to assist Academy Director Andy Goldie.
Speaking to the TGG Podcast about her future ambitions, Patel had said: “Any club, any organisation that I want to go into longer-term has to be aligned with my values and future ambitions. You give so much time and energy, I think you really want to be fully involved - and I'm all-in in everything I do.
“Hopefully that takes me to meeting more people and new experiences. You only get one life and I want to make sure I enjoy it and maximise it - with myself, but also my friends and my family as well.”
Patel begins her role with US Soccer at the start of June.
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