Gregg Berhalter’s tenure as the manager of the United States men’s national team came to an abrupt end after a disappointing showing at the 2024 Copa America. Despite hopes that the tournament would be a springboard to success at the 2026 World Cup, the USMNT failed to advance past the group stage for the first time in its history. This lackluster performance underscored the lack of progress made by the team since the 2022 World Cup, raising serious questions about Berhalter’s leadership.
The decision to remove Berhalter was made after a 10-day review process conducted by U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker. This review included consultations with key figures within the organization, such as president Cindy Parlow Cone and vice president of sporting Oguchi Onyewu. The process also involved polling board members to gauge their opinions on Berhalter’s performance and whether he should remain as the team’s manager. Ultimately, the decision was reached to part ways with Berhalter in order to seek new leadership for the USMNT.
Following Berhalter’s dismissal, Matt Crocker took on the responsibility of leading the search for a new head coach for the national team. The focus was on finding a coach who could maximize the team’s potential and lead them to success at the upcoming 2026 World Cup. The search process has already begun, with candidates both from within the U.S. and internationally being considered for the position. The goal is to have a new coach in place by the time of the team’s September friendlies.
Increased Expectations
The firing of Gregg Berhalter comes at a time when expectations for the USMNT are on the rise. The team’s respectable performance at the 2022 World Cup raised hopes for future success, but subsequent struggles under Berhalter’s leadership have dampened those expectations. Calls for his replacement grew louder after lackluster performances in competitions such as the Concacaf Nations League, culminating in the disappointing showing at the Copa America.
Berhalter’s tenure as the USMNT manager was marked by efforts to rebuild the team with a new generation of players and a possession-based style of play. While there were some positive moments, such as winning the Concacaf Nations League, the overall results were inconsistent. The team’s performance in World Cup qualifying highlighted the challenges they faced under Berhalter’s leadership, ultimately leading to the decision to make a change at the helm.
The firing of Gregg Berhalter reflects the high expectations and demands placed on the United States men’s national team. The underwhelming performances at the Copa America exposed the team’s lack of progress and raised doubts about Berhalter’s ability to lead them to success. The search for a new head coach presents an opportunity for the USMNT to turn a new leaf and strive for greater achievements in the future.