007 – Tyler Heaps – US Soccer Federation Director of Sporting Analytics

In this episode, Tyler Heaps discusses how US Soccer uses analytics in all facets of the organization from player performance to coaching and game strategy.

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VALUE BOMBS

• Five key areas US Soccer is using analytics on a daily basis; Opposition and self-analysis, Player pool monitoring and tracking, Looking for bigger picture trends in the game, Physical health and injury, Live and in game use.
• Articulating through data how to help coaches think differently is something US Soccer prides themselves on doing very well.
• Relationships between general manager, coaches and sport scientists are very important to collaboratively make better processes for efficient game analysis, looking at the right relevant data and looking at bigger picture context.
• Given lack of people resources it’s important that analytics staff can act as “Jack of All Trades”.
• Challenge is for all staff to stay standardized on the same processes.
• Most important aspect for a career in sports analytics is about the relationships created and conversations with coaches. In order for anyone in analytics to be successful you have to be in with the coaching staff so that your work can be used.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• US Soccer Federation
• Soccer Analytics 101 – Trivia Question Source

SPONSORS

• Terry L Frederick - Sports Analytics Consulting