U.S. men’s national soccer team coach Gregg Berhalter has been fired, officials said.
In a statement Wednesday, the U.S. Soccer Federation said Berhalter had “been relieved of his duties … effective immediately.”
“I want to thank Gregg for his hard work and dedication to U.S. Soccer and our Men’s National Team,” U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone said in a statement. “We are now focused on working with our Sporting Director Matt Crocker and leveraging his experience at the highest levels of the sport to ensure we find the right person to lead the USMNT into a new era of on-field success.”
Berhalter’s exit comes after the national team lost 1-0 to Uruguay in the Copa América tournament last week.
United States Soccer head coach Gregg Berhalter looks on before the game between the United States and Bolivia in a 2024 Copa America match, June 23, 2024, in Arlington, Texas.
Jerome Miron/USA TODAY Sports via Reuters, FILE
U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker has launched a search for Berhalter’s replacement, U.S. Soccer said.
“We are deeply grateful to Gregg for his commitment the past five years to the Men’s National Team and to U.S. Soccer,” Crocker said in a statement. “Gregg has earned the respect of everyone within our organization and has played a pivotal role in bringing together a young team and moving the program forward. We wish Gregg all the best in his future endeavors, and we know he will find success in his next coaching position.”
Berhalter, 50, initially served as head coach from 2018 through the expiration of his contract in 2022, before being rehired in June 2023 on a contract through the 2026 World Cup.
As head coach, he saw a 44-17-13 record in 74 matches and a 29-9-7 record in official competitions, according to U.S. Soccer. Under his tenure, the team qualified for the 2022 World Cup. The team ultimately fell to the Netherlands in the round of 16.
As head coach, he led the team to winning the 2021 Gold Cup and two Concacaf Nations League titles.
Gregg Berhalter, the head coach of the US men’s national soccer team, has been fired from his position after a disappointing performance in the recent World Cup qualifiers. The decision to let go of Berhalter comes after a string of poor results and lackluster performances that have left fans and critics alike questioning his leadership and tactics.
Berhalter, who took over as head coach in December 2018, was tasked with rebuilding the national team and guiding them to success on the international stage. However, under his tenure, the team has struggled to find consistency and has failed to deliver the results that were expected of them.
The final straw for Berhalter came after a humiliating defeat to Panama in the World Cup qualifiers, which saw the US men’s national team drop to fifth place in their group. This result effectively ended their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup, a major disappointment for a team that has a rich history in the sport.
Critics of Berhalter have pointed to his tactical decisions and team selection as major factors in the team’s poor performance. Many have questioned his ability to motivate and inspire his players, as well as his overall strategy on the field.
In a statement released by US Soccer, President Cindy Parlow Cone expressed her disappointment in the team’s recent performances and announced the decision to part ways with Berhalter. She stated, “We believe that a change in leadership is necessary at this time in order to move the team forward and achieve the success that we all desire.”
As the search for a new head coach begins, fans and players alike are hopeful that a fresh start will bring about positive change for the US men’s national team. With talented players at their disposal, including rising stars like Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie, there is optimism that the team can turn things around and compete at the highest level once again.
In the meantime, Gregg Berhalter’s departure serves as a reminder of the high expectations and pressure that come with coaching a national team. While his time in charge may have come to an end, his legacy will be remembered as a period of transition and growth for US soccer, with lessons learned that will hopefully pave the way for future success.
