Gregg Berhalter has been fired as the head coach of the United States men's national team after a disappointing performance at the Copa América, where the team was eliminated in the group stage.
Less than a week after the United States men's national team suffered a historic Copa América elimination, Gregg Berhalter's tenure as the team's head coach has come to an end.
Berhalter was appointed in late 2018, tasked with rebuilding the team following its failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. He guided the Americans back to the global showcase in 2022, where they advanced to the round of 16.
Gregg Berhalter Out as USMNT Head Coach
Despite the initial success, Berhalter's second term has been marred by inconsistent performances and disappointing results. The USMNT struggled in the Nations League and suffered a humiliating 5-1 defeat to Colombia in a pre-Copa exhibition.
In the Copa América, the team's hopes were dashed after a 1-0 loss to Uruguay. This marked the first time the United States had failed to advance from the group stage of a major tournament since 2007.
Berhalter finishes his tenure with a respectable record of 44 wins, 15 losses, and 13 draws. However, the recent string of poor results has ultimately led to his dismissal.
U.S. Soccer is now tasked with finding a replacement for Berhalter. The federation is expected to announce a new coach before the team's next match, a friendly against Canada on September 7th.
Potential candidates include former national team players such as Landon Donovan and Claudio Reyna. Other names being mentioned include current Major League Soccer coaches such as Jim Curtin and Bob Bradley.
The departure of Berhalter comes at a crucial time for the USMNT. The team is preparing to host the 2026 World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico.
The new coach will have the responsibility of building a cohesive and competitive squad capable of making a deep run in the tournament. With the clock ticking, U.S. Soccer must make a decision quickly to ensure a smooth transition.
While Berhalter's dismissal was inevitable given the recent results, his legacy as USMNT head coach remains complex.
He restored the team's confidence after the 2018 World Cup qualifying debacle and guided them to a number of notable victories. However, his inability to sustain that success ultimately cost him his job.
Berhalter's successor will face the challenge of building on the progress made under his predecessor while addressing the team's weaknesses. The USMNT is at a crossroads, and the next coach will play a pivotal role in shaping its future.
