Gregg Berhalter has been fired as the head coach of the US men’s national soccer team following their disappointing performance and early exit from the 2024 Copa America. The decision, announced on July 10, 2024, comes after the team’s failure to advance past the group stage, finishing third behind Uruguay and Panama.US Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone thanked Berhalter for his service but emphasized the need for a change, stating, ‘We need to find the right person to lead us to success’. Sporting Director Matt Crocker added that the team’s performance ‘fell short of the expectations we’ve set for the program,’ and announced that a comprehensive review would be conducted to improve results for the 2026 World Cup.Berhalter’s overall record during his tenure, which began in 2018, stands at 44 wins, 17 losses, and 13 draws in 74 matches. Despite leading the team to several achievements, including CONCACAF Nations League titles and a Gold Cup win, Berhalter’s struggles against top-tier teams outside the region and disciplinary issues among players contributed to his dismissal.The search for a new coach has already begun, with potential candidates including high-profile names such as Jose Mourinho, Joachim Low, and Zinedine Zidane, as well as MLS coaches like Wilfried Nancy and Steve Cherundolo. The US Soccer Federation aims to find a coach who can lead the team to success in the 2026 World Cup, which the US will co-host with Mexico and Canada.As the team prepares for upcoming friendlies against Canada and New Zealand in September, the focus now shifts to rebuilding and improving performance ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The new coach will face the challenge of addressing the issues highlighted by the Copa América performance and harnessing the potential of the young US squad.
Key points
- Gregg Berhalter has been fired as the head coach of the US men’s national soccer team after their early exit from the 2024 Copa America.
- US Soccer has begun the search for a new coach to lead the team into the 2026 World Cup, which the US will co-host.
- Potential candidates for the coaching position include high-profile names like Jose Mourinho and Zinedine Zidane, as well as MLS coaches.
- Berhalter’s overall record was 44 wins, 17 losses, and 13 draws in 74 matches, but he struggled against top-tier teams outside the region.
