New Jersey native and original MetroStar Tab Ramos has been appointed as U.S. Soccer’s Youth Technical Director.
The three-time World Cup veteran — who has been the head coach of the U.S. Under-20 National Team since 2011 and led them to the 2013 U-20 World Cup — will stay on in that role, U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati announced Tuesday.
“I’m excited and honored for the opportunity to guide the development of our youth players and coaches as we continue to strive to improve our National Team program,” said Ramos, who starred at St. Benedict’s in Newark and was the first player signed by MLS, where he played seven years with the MetroStars.
“We’ve already seen a more connected program as the philosophies that Jurgen [Klinsmann] is implementing with the senior team are being shared across all the youth teams. I’m looking forward to continuing that process, and implementing other elements as well to help our players and coaches improve as much as possible.”
Ironically, Ramos replaces Claudio Reyna — another St. Benedict’s grad and former MetroStar/Red Bull — as Youth Technical Director. In that capacity, he will oversee the long-term strategies for development of both coaches and players at the youth level, working closely with Klinsmann and the Youth National Team coaches.
“Tab is the ideal person to fulfill this very important role,” Klinsmann said. “He’s been with the Senior National Team on a regular basis in order to understand our holistic approach and be able to spread the messages through our Youth National Teams as well the U.S. Soccer Development Academy.
“Bringing Tab on as Youth Technical Director is an important step to continue connecting the dots between all areas of player development, including coaching education, parent education, the college game and our grass roots.’’
Ramos was credited with bringing a more technical style to the U-20 side. The U.S. reached the U-20 World Cup in Turkey, and after being drawn in the proverbial “Group of Death” with Spain, France and Ghana, they managed a 1-1 tie with eventual champion France. They lost to Spain and Ghana, the eventual third-place finisher.
“Tab’s combined knowledge and experience with youth players and the National Team program made him an ideal candidate for this position,” Gulati said. “Along with an impressive playing career, Tab has built a notable reputation as a coach, starting at the youth club level and now with the Under-20 Men’s National Team.
“We’re extremely pleased to have him oversee our Youth National Team programs as we continue our goal of improving the development of our young players.’’
Reyna left to take a front office position with fledgling New York City FC. The expansion MLS side is co-owned by the Yankees and the English Premier League club Manchester City, where Reyna played during his career.