Gregg Berhalter, the coach of the United States men’s national team, has been fired following the team’s disappointing performance at the 2024 Copa América. This decision was announced by the U.S. Soccer Federation after the team failed to advance past the group stage, losing to Uruguay and Panama.
The hope was that the Copa América would serve as a stepping stone for success at the 2026 World Cup, which the U.S. is hosting alongside Canada and Mexico. However, the team’s lackluster performance highlighted the lack of progress made since the 2022 World Cup.
The decision to remove Berhalter was made by U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker after a thorough review process involving consultations with key members of the organization. The search for Berhalter’s replacement has already begun, with Crocker leading the efforts to find a coach who can maximize the team’s potential for the upcoming World Cup.
The disappointment at the Copa América is amplified by the fact that as hosts, the U.S. will not have any World Cup qualifying matches to help them prepare for the tournament. The only other tournament before 2026 is the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup.
Berhalter’s tenure as coach began in 2018, with a focus on rebuilding the team with a new generation of players and a possession-based playing style. While there were some positive results, including winning the Concacaf Nations League, the team’s performance post-2022 World Cup has been underwhelming.
The search for a new coach is underway, with big names like Jürgen Klopp, Thierry Henry, and others being speculated as potential candidates. The goal is to have Berhalter’s successor in place before the team’s September friendlies.
The decision to part ways with Berhalter signals a new era for the USMNT, with a renewed focus on achieving success on the international stage. The team’s progress will be closely monitored as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup.
