SEATTLE, WASH. – Sounders FC today announced that it has hired Tyler Cox as the club’s new Director of Analytics. Cox brings over eight years of experience with Arsenal Data Analytics to Sounders FC, where he will report to General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey and drive the analysis of player targets and First Team performance. Cox replaces Ravi Ramineni in the role, who leaves following nine years with the club.
“It has been an honor to work with a pioneer in the analytics space in Ravi Ramineni,” said Lagerwey. “When he first joined us from Microsoft, analytics departments did not exist within MLS organizations. Ravi built our operation from the ground up and created an entire branch of our club that has been fundamental to our competing for and winning multiple championships. As our analytics founder, we will be forever grateful for his contributions to the Sounders. Ravi is ready for bigger things and we eagerly anticipate his deserved ascension into a leadership role in his new endeavor.”
“We are excited to add Tyler Cox from Arsenal,” Lagerwey continued. “He brings a level of experience to our department that is tough to find. We think his personality and expertise will help us continue to forge our objective, evidence-based processes across all aspects of our soccer team. We look forward to working with Tyler.”
Cox, a Seattle-area native and Western Washington University alum, has spent most of his professional career working in various data analytics roles for Premier League club Arsenal FC, including Video Analyst, First Team Analyst, Recruitment Analyst and Data Scientist.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to join my hometown club and work with Garth, Brian, Craig, Sean and the rest of the staff,” said Cox. “I look forward to joining such a successful organization and keeping the Sounders at the forefront of soccer analytics.”
Ramineni departs Sounders FC after nine years, joining sports analytics startup Blue Crow Sports Group in Houston, Texas in a leadership role. Blue Crow has current and planned sports investments in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
“It's been a great nine years with the Sounders where I learned a ton and was part of an amazing group of individuals year after year. I’ve had so much fun doing something that I only dreamed of,” said Ramineni. “I want to thank Adrian, Garth, Brian, Craig and all the coaches, players and staff past and present that made my journey with the Sounders incredibly fulfilling and fun. I also want to thank our amazing fans who helped make my tenure here an unforgettable experience. I will miss being around the team and Seattle but nothing can take either out of me.”
After joining Sounders FC in 2012 as a Sports Scientist & Performance Analyst, Ramineni eventually progressed to become Sounders FC’s Vice President of Analytics & Research in 2021.
“Working with Ravi this past year has redefined how I personally view the scope and power of analytics,” said Sounders FC Senior Vice President of Soccer Operations & Sporting Director Craig Waibel. “His relentless pursuit to impact the Sounders organization positively through objective data was truly unique and remarkably effective. He is not only deserving of the opportunity he has accepted, but will surely succeed in his new endeavor.”
Sounders FC continues to prepare for the 2022 season, kicking off the competitive calendar with a home-and-away series against F.C. Motagua in the 2022 Concacaf Champions League. Seattle plays in Honduras on February 17 before hosting Motagua on February 24 at Lumen Field. The Rave Green’s 2022 MLS campaign begins at home on February 27 vs. Nashville SC.
