On this episode of Side Story Sports, host Nic Finelli sits down with Skye Reymond, the Senior Director of Data Science at U.S. Soccer, to explore how data is shaping the future of the sport in America — from the stadiums we fill to the communities still waiting for their first touch on the ball.

A former college soccer player and mathematician, Skye now leads the team responsible for turning raw numbers into strategy, using analytics to guide everything from ticketing and digital engagement to outreach in underserved soccer markets. We unpack how her models drive decisions in real time, how she's preparing for the 2026 World Cup, and how growing up with a love for the game shaped the way she approaches her work today.

You’ll hear about her unexpected path from the pitch to programming, how synthetic data can simulate fan behavior, and why mapping a person’s soccer identity might be one of the sport’s most powerful new tools.

Plus, in our rapid-fire Stoppage Time segment, Skye reveals her favorite unplugged ritual, which player she'd be most like on the field today, and what truly recharges her when the data never sleeps.

This is the side story of how numbers are not just informing the game — but growing it — one insight at a time.

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