Tag: Anthony Hudson

Ex-USMNT coach Hudson: Players at big clubs creates ‘illusion’ about team’s quality

Being at a big club isn’t the same as being a key player for a big club, says the ex-USMNT interim

Former U.S. men’s national team assistant coach Anthony Hudson has said that the number of players at big European clubs creates an “illusion” about how good the team truly is.

Hudson took over as U.S. under-20 men’s national team head coach in 2020, then moved to the USMNT as an assistant coach in 2021.

When Gregg Berhalter’s contract expired at the end of 2022, Hudson stepped in as interim head coach for the USMNT, departing in May 2023 to take over as head coach of Qatari club Al Markhiya.

Hudson, who only lasted a handful of games at Al Markhiya, appeared on beIN SPORTS this week to discuss the USMNT after Berhalter was dismissed as head coach.

According to Hudson, fans may hold unrealistic expectations over the team due to the number of players at big European clubs. For Hudson, being at one of those sides isn’t the same as being a key player there.

“They don’t have a huge amount of depth and they’re still building,” Hudson said. “But unfortunately the perception is because all these players are in big clubs around the world, but they’re not key players in their clubs in Europe. This is where I think it’s a little bit of an illusion about where they’re at.

“But it’s a team with a lot of promise. They need someone in there that is going to really command respect of those young players and play an aggressive front-foot style of football. They’ve got a lot of attacking players, a lot of speed, dynamic players, and what it means to be American is to be brave, and it’s to go after teams, and you need a coach with that type of staff.”

Despite his view that the USMNT’s overall quality may be overrated by some fans, Hudson added that the team’s desire to succeed is still exceptionally high.

“I hope some of the American fans hear this, because I think they need to: Those players really, really care about playing for the national team,” Hudson said.

“Even if the performances weren’t great at the Copa América — the sending off [by Tim Weah against Panama] didn’t help them — but if people have a question about what the national team means to those players, it’s undoubted. Those guys love playing for their country, they’re desperate to put football, that team, on the map and make an impact. I know that for sure.”

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Ex-USMNT coach Anthony Hudson takes over Qatari club Al Markhiya

Hudson is heading to the Qatar Stars League

Anthony Hudson’s new job is no longer a mystery.

The former USMNT coach — already holding the post on an interim basis — left his role at the end of May for an unspecified “new opportunity.” That gig turns out to be to take over as the head coach of Qatari club Al Markhiya, who announced the news on Tuesday.

“Our club officially contracted with the English coach, Anthony Patrick Hudson, to train the team for a period of two seasons,” read a club statement from Al Markhiya. “Our team had finished last season in seventh place, after presenting good levels immediately after its promotion to the first division, and seeks in the new season to appear at good levels and occupy a better position than the one it achieved last season.”

The Doha-based club finished a middling seventh in the 2022-23 season, which concluded in March. While that is mid-table in the 12-team league, Al Markhiya finished eight points behind sixth-place Al Gharafa and only six points clear of the league’s relegation playoff.

Al Markhiya is not known as one of the Qatar Stars League’s biggest clubs, having been promoted up from the second division for this past season and playing their Qatar Stars League home games in a rotating series of venues around Doha. The club’s top players include Oman national team playmaker Jameel Al-Yahmadi and the gloriously named former Inter Milan youth prospect Zé Turbo. No current Qatar national team players are on Al Markhiya’s books at the present.

Hudson’s time running the USMNT was, through no real fault of his own, a strange journey. The team was in a holding pattern after Gregg Berhalter’s contract ran out, and while Hudson’s biggest games in charge were CONCACAF Nations League group stage wins over Grenada and El Salvador.

However, his brief tenure also saw numerous recruiting successes, including Folarin Balogun and Alex Zendejas both opting to represent the United States over other prominent options.

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Who is B.J. Callaghan, the second interim USMNT head coach this year?

The 41-year-old will get an unexpected chance to coach the U.S. at two important tournaments this summer

Anthony Hudson looked set to lead the U.S. men’s national team through the CONCACAF Nations League and Gold Cup as interim head coach.

But that’s the thing with the “interim” title — it is impermanent by its very nature and if something better comes along, you really can’t blame any temporary boss for jumping at it.

That’s exactly what happened on Tuesday when Hudson departed for a “new opportunity” just a couple weeks before the Nations League semifinal against Mexico.

In stepped assistant B.J. Callaghan as the USMNT’s second interim head coach this year, with the 41-year-old set to lead the team as it aims to defend both of its continental titles.

Callaghan is a name that likely wasn’t familiar to many fans outside of the die-hards, so who is the man that will coach the USMNT this summer?

Rising through the Philly ranks

New Jersey native Callaghan played four seasons at Ursinus College, about an hour outside Philadelphia. He then coached at various youth clubs in the Philadelphia area before returning to college as an assistant coach at Saint Joseph’s and then Villanova University.

It was during his time at Villanova that Callaghan connected with Jim Curtin, who would eventually become the head coach of the Philadelphia Union.

Callaghan joined the Union’s academy as a coach in 2012 and when Curtin was elevated to head coach in 2014, he brought Callaghan up with him as an assistant.

“He was someone I called in right away,” Curtin told The Athletic. “A lot of people tend to go with maybe guys who you formerly played with or did a favor for someone. But I did it in a way where I chose a person I trusted and I knew had a high soccer IQ and could help facilitate the messages we wanted to get across… And he has been the most important guy in my development as a coach, to be honest.”

Moving to U.S. Soccer

Callaghan’s reputation for developing players with the Union, including current USMNT members Brenden Aaronson, Mark McKenzie, Zack Steffen and Auston Trusty, saw him join the national team’s staff in 2019.

First working as the strategy analyst, Callaghan was later promoted to assistant coach ahead of the 2021 Nations League and Gold Cup.

Callaghan is currently the longest-serving member of the USMNT technical staff, and he’ll now get a big — and unexpected — chance to coach the senior side at two important tournaments this summer.

“B.J. has been an integral part of the USMNT staff during the last four years as this young team has grown and developed,” U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker said. “Working alongside Anthony Hudson these last five months, we are confident he is prepared and ready to lead this group in the summer tournaments.”

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Hudson leaves USMNT on eve of summer tournaments

B.J. Callaghan will step in as the team’s second interim head coach this year

U.S. Soccer has announced that interim U.S. men’s national team head coach Anthony Hudson has left the team for a “new opportunity.”

In Hudson’s place, assistant coach B.J. Callaghan has been elevated to head coach for the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League and Gold Cup.

“B.J. has been an integral part of the USMNT staff during the last four years as this young team has grown and developed,” U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker said in a news release.

“Working alongside Anthony Hudson these last five months, we are confident he is prepared and ready to lead this group in the summer tournaments. We are grateful to Anthony for the tremendous job he did and wish him success in the future.”

Hudson coached the U.S. U-20s and served as a USMNT assistant before being appointed interim head coach this year after Gregg Berhalter’s contract expired. With Callaghan in place as the team’s second interim this year, the search for a permanent head coach will continue.

Hudson’s time as USMNT coach was highlighted by the capture of two prized dual nationals in Alex Zendejas and Folarin Balogun.

“I would like to thank U.S. Soccer for the opportunity to be part of such a great team of players and staff,” Hudson said. “It’s been an honor to represent the national team and one that I have truly valued and enjoyed. The group is in good hands with B.J., and I’m excited to watch and support the team as it continues to grow and reach the heights we all know they are capable of.”

Callaghan, who joined U.S. Soccer in 2019, is currently the longest-serving member of the USMNT technical staff. He initially served as the team’s strategy analyst before being promoted to assistant coach.

“I understand the responsibility of the job and am honored to have the opportunity to build upon the progress this group has made the last four years,” Callaghan said. “Together, we have built a strong culture and a great understanding of how we want to play, and we expect to continue to build on that progress. Our goal is clear: defend both of our CONCACAF titles.”

The USMNT will face Mexico on June 15 in the Nations League semifinal, with the final scheduled for three days later. The U.S. will then kick off the 2023 Gold Cup against Jamaica on June 24.

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U.S. Soccer has held talks with USMNT head coach candidates

The federation has “had a number of conversations with some of the candidates”

U.S. Soccer has conducted initial conversations with some candidates for the still-open U.S. men’s national team head coaching job.

The federation’s new sporting director Matt Crocker, in an interview with U.S. Soccer, said that informal meetings with candidates for the USMNT job have already begun.

“What we have is a list of candidates who based on our initial research we think will fit the profile. We already have had a number of conversations with some of the candidates,” said Crocker, who does not begin his full-time duties until August 2. “In some instances a candidate may hold a current position, in which case we must be very respectful to their clubs and always make sure any communication begins with them.”

Crocker reiterated that U.S. Soccer, who since Gregg Berhalter’s contract ended in December has left the USMNT under the leadership of interim head coach Anthony Hudson, is heavily emphasizing a long-term view on the hire before laying out a timeline for the evaluation process.

“The plan is to conduct a series of interviews in June and narrow down the list of candidates,” explained Crocker. “From there, we will engage the finalists in another evaluation activity. Our aim is to have our new coach in place by the end of summer, although it’s possible that club circumstances could impact the timeline.

“We have a strategy in place that includes having a diverse group of voices involved in the process. We have identified the qualities and characteristics we think are necessary for the next coach and are moving along with initial conversations and outreach.”

No candidates have been confirmed yet. Jesse Marsch has come up frequently as a hypothetical candidate, though neither he nor U.S. Soccer has said anything to indicate even preliminary conversations between them. In March, Jose Mourinho made sure to note that no one had called him, while Hoffenheim manager Pellegrino Matarazzo and France legend Thierry Henry have both indicated some level of interest in the job.

Crocker: Hudson doing ‘fantastic job’

In the meantime, Hudson is set to carry on through the upcoming Nations League finals and this summer’s Gold Cup. From Crocker’s perspective, Hudson and his staff have been very successful in what is an odd situation on the international level.

“I think Anthony Hudson, [assistant coach] B.J. Callaghan and the rest of the staff have done a fantastic job keeping the program moving forward,” said Crocker. “There has been no drop in standard, and as you’ve seen several players who had a choice to represent more than one country have chosen the United States during their tenure and Anthony and his staff deserve tremendous credit for that.”

Under Hudson’s watch, dual nationals like Folarin Balogun, Alex Zendejas, and Timothy Tillman have all moved to play for the USMNT, turning what was a period of uncertainty within the system into a fruitful stretch. Hudson has thus far declined to say whether he wants to be among the full-time candidates.

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USMNT Nations League roster: Brooks, Balogun named to preliminary squad

Anthony Hudson included big names new and old

The U.S. men’s national team has released a 60-player preliminary roster for its upcoming CONCACAF Nations League matches.

Coach Anthony Hudson was free to include Folarin Balogun after the Reims striker chose the USMNT in a high-profile recruiting win. Meanwhile, veteran center back John Brooks — who recently expressed hopes of a recall after nearly two years in the wilderness — was included in the squad.

Hudson will have to cut this group down to a final 23-player roster no later than June 5. The USMNT will play Mexico at Allegiant Stadium just outside Las Vegas on June 15, with either a final or third-place game taking place on June 18.

Balogun is joined by some intriguing potential USMNT newcomers. He’s not the only dual national in the frame for a possible first cap, with Timothy Tillman — who recently filed for a switch of allegiance from Germany to the U.S. — on Hudson’s roster.

24-year-old defender Marlon Fossey, who hasn’t been called in for a U.S. Soccer team since his days with the Under-20s in 2017 and remains eligible for the U.S. and England, joins them on the list after a breakout season in Belgium with Standard Liège.

Some notable names were also left off despite the huge preliminary squad size. Paxten Aaronson, whose club Eintracht Frankfurt refused to release him for the U-20 World Cup, headlines that list. FC Cincinnati’s Roman Celentano was overlooked, while injuries have kept Tim Ream, Cameron Carter-Vickers, and Malik Tillman out of the squad.

Notably, there is no overlap with the U-20 World Cup squad, with that tournament potentially running through June 11. That means no spot in the team for top future prospects like Cade Cowell, Jonathan Gómez, Kevin Paredes, Gabriel Slonina, Caleb Wiley, and Josh Wynder.

USMNT Nations League preliminary roster

Goalkeepers (5): Drake Callender (Inter Miami), Ethan Horvath (Luton Town), Sean Johnson (Toronto FC), Zack Steffen (Middlesbrough), Matt Turner (Arsenal)

Defenders (21): John Brooks (Hoffenheim), Reggie Cannon (Boavista), Sergiño Dest (AC Milan), Marlon Fossey (Standard Liège), DeJuan Jones (New England Revolution), Aaron Long (Los Angeles FC), Mark McKenzie (KRC Genk), Matt Miazga (FC Cincinnati), Shaq Moore (Nashville SC), Jalen Neal (LA Galaxy), Erik Palmer-Brown (Troyes), Bryan Reynolds (KVC Westerlo), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United), James Sands (New York City FC), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach), John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls), Auston Trusty (Birmingham City), DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)

Midfielders (19): Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Kellyn Acosta (Los Angeles FC), Tyler Adams (Leeds United), Taylor Booth (FC Utrecht), Gianluca Busio (Venezia), Johnny Cardoso (Internacional), Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo), Julian Gressel (Vancouver Whitecaps), Richie Ledezma (New York City FC), Weston McKennie (Leeds United), Djordje Mihailovic (AZ), Aidan Morris (Columbus Crew), Yunus Musah (Valencia), Paxton Pomykal (FC Dallas), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Alan Soñora (FC Juárez), Tanner Tessman (Venezia), Timothy Tillman (Los Angeles FC), Jackson Yueill (San Jose Earthquakes)

Forwards (15): Paul Arriola (FC Dallas), Folarin Balogun (Stade Reims), Tyler Boyd (LA Galaxy), Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas), Matthew Hoppe (Hibernian), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders), Jordan Pefok (Union Berlin), Ricardo Pepi (Groningen), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund), Josh Sargent (Norwich City), Brandon Vazquez (FC Cincinnati), Tim Weah (Lille), Haji Wright (Antalyaspor), Alex Zendejas (Club América)

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USMNT boss Hudson: Aidan Morris was ‘fantastic’ vs. Mexico

The 21-year-old impressed against El Tri in just his second cap

Anthony Hudson was full of praise for Aidan Morris, who impressed in just his second U.S. national team cap during Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Mexico.

Hudson brought Morris off the bench in the 64th minute of the Continental Clásico, with El Tri holding a 1-0 advantage after Uriel Antuna’s second-half opener.

As Hudson shifted to a three-man back line in search of an equalizer, Morris helped steady the midfield with an accomplished performance that also displayed the physicality he brings to the center of the park.

The USMNT would eventually grab a late equalizer through Jesús Ferreira, securing a 1-1 draw that made it five games unbeaten against El Tri.

Morris, 21, has already had a breakout 2023, earning his first two USMNT caps and scoring three goals for the Columbus Crew while starting all eight of the club’s MLS matches so far.

Last week, the Crew signed their academy product to a new contract through 2026.

In his post-game press conference on Wednesday, interim USMNT coach Hudson said he was happy with what he saw from Morris — a player he knows well from their time together with the U.S. U-20 side.

“I was so pleased for Aidan Morris, I thought Aidan was fantastic,” Hudson said. “I’ve known Aidan since he was with the [under] 20s and followed him ever since. And he’s a young man that just keep stepping up. Whatever challenge is put in front of him, he’s always going to step up to it. He’s a tough, tough, tough character. So I was pleased with Aidan.”

With the USMNT lacking a robust supply of defensive-minded central midfielders, Morris could be ready to step into a bigger role as the team prepares for a summer with the CONCACAF Nations League finals and the
Gold Cup.

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USMNT coach Hudson says Continental Clasico is about ‘making the fans proud’

Hudson: “Every single time we get together, players need to prove and perform”

The U.S. men’s national team finds itself in a strange position heading into the first-ever Continental Clásico on Wednesday (10:00pm Eastern, HBO Max, TBS, Telemundo, Universo and Peacock).

The USMNT will play Mexico outside of a FIFA international window, which means both an unusual roster and a limited time to get prepared. Hudson’s squad all had club games this past weekend, and will head back for weekend fixtures in MLS, Liga MX, and the USL Championship.

“It’s been such a short camp,” Hudson told reporters in a Tuesday press conference. “We’ve been here for two days. There’s not been a lot of training, yesterday was a walk-through. So there’s not been a huge amount of opportunity to do things together or for the guys to do things together.”

Hudson said that the USMNT’s January camp — which included 13 players on the roster for Wednesday’s clash with El Tri — is going to have to play a role in the group’s coordination given that the team’s time in Arizona will not consist of any full-fledged, high-intensity training sessions.

“We’ve had the majority of these guys in January. So, it was great to see them back then, and we had more time together,” said Hudson. “We’re fortunate, we got a really good group of people, and we have good senior players that we know will always try and do their best for the team and for the new players coming in.”

Despite the perception that this version of the USMNT is a sort of “B-team” without its European-based players, Hudson said the goal in camp is always the same.

“We have a really strong player pool, and I would say for every single time we get together, players need to prove and perform to make sure that they’re in the next camp. So, this is no different,” said Hudson.

USMNT could make ‘one or two changes’

The flip side of the equation is that it’s still USMNT vs. Mexico, and as such, both teams will be looking to get a win.

While Hudson acknowledged that “it’s tough to to make too many changes” given the lack of time to train on any new wrinkles, he said that the USMNT can still adapt in pursuit of a victory.

“I think Gregg [Berhalter] did a good job here, really, really clear [formation], playing 4-3-3. We’ve changed it slightly,” said Hudson. “I think the good thing about this team is that they’re quite used to a little bit of flexibility… I think the players are experienced enough and have trained enough with us to know that we can still talk about things and do things, and they can still execute it.”

From the USMNT side, that means “one or two [changes]” to their approach, adjustments made with the hope of not giving away too much ahead of June’s more high-profile CONCACAF Nations League semifinal. Balancing a desire to keep some aces up their sleeve for that match while still maintaining a mental edge in the series seems to be the idea at the moment.

For Hudson, that means keeping standards high regardless of the Continental Clásico’s newness, the lack of practice time, or the strangeness of the fixture date.

“The bottom line for us is that we have a group of players going out tomorrow really representing the badge, giving everything they got, making the fans proud.”

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Hudson: Club America turned down USMNT call-up for Zendejas

Hudson said he was disappointed but also highlighted America’s past cooperation regarding the winger

U.S. men’s national team head coach Anthony Hudson said he was “disappointed” to learn Club América would not release Alex Zendejas for next week’s game against Mexico.

The winger was not on the USMNT squad for the first-ever Continental Clásico, which will take place on April 19 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

That wasn’t for lack of trying, Hudson said, telling reporters on Wednesday that América opted to keep Zendejas back in Mexico City.

“The club politely declined and that’s well within their right to do that,” Hudson said. “And all I will say is we were disappointed because we would have loved to have had him here. I know he was desperate to come.”

Zendejas suffered a broken nose in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Monterrey, an injury he will play through before having surgery at the end of the Liga MX season. Hudson said the injury could have been a factor in América’s decision.

“Who knows if the situation would have been different if it wasn’t for his injury,” the interim coach added.

Hudson did, however, make a point to praise América for its cooperation in the past — specifically for allowing Zendejas to join the USMNT’s January camp this year while he was still deciding whether to represent the U.S. or Mexico internationally.

“The fact that we’re in this position, talking the way we are to Alejandro and have built this relationship with Alejandro, is because the club have been so good with us,” Hudson said. “They didn’t need to let him come in January and they’ve been really, really supportive. So we have no issues with that. We accept it.”

Zendejas officially committed to the USMNT over Mexico last month.

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Hudson: Balogun conversations went ‘really, really well’

“Now it’s down to him to make a decision”

Anthony Hudson has said recent talks with Folarin Balogun and his agent went “really, really well” as the striker nears a decision on his international future.

After leaving England’s U-21 setup over the most recent international break Balogun traveled to Orlando, where the U.S. men’s national team was based for two CONCACAF Nations League games.

Interim USMNT boss Hudson said that he had the opportunity to catch up with Balogun, who has scored 17 goals on loan with Reims this season to set off an international tug-of-war between the USMNT, England and Nigeria.

“We had some very good conversations with Flo and his agent, just sharing what we do, talking to him about where we see him in our team, allowing him just to get a feel for the country, the team, the guys,” Hudson told reporters on Tuesday.

“The conversations went really, really well, and then, since he and his agent went back to Europe, there have just been a couple of text messages and now it’s down to him to make a decision.”

Last week, England U-21 coach Lee Carsley said he would travel to France for a sit-down with Balogun as he aims to keep him a part of the Three Lions setup.

“I’ll just be making the point of how important he is to us,” Carsley told reporters.

“Hopefully we can talk a little bit about patience and understanding that he is going to have to keep doing what he’s doing to break through to the senior team.

“Like a lot of players in our squad, we’ve got a lot of players that are pushing. Hopefully, he can see that. I’ve been there myself as a young player, you’re in a rush and you want to get there quickly. Hopefully, I can convince him.”

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