Tag: Gregg Berhalter

Why Gregg Berhalter, USMNT coach, is not coaching USMNT at Gold Cup

The USMNT coach won’t coach the USMNT at the Gold Cup. What gives?

U.S. men’s national team coach Gregg Berhalter is not doing the thing most would expect a U.S. men’s national team coach to do during a tournament the U.S. men’s national team is playing in: coach.

That is to say, after Berhalter was officially named to his former post last week, U.S. Soccer said that interim B.J. Callaghan would still be in charge through the Gold Cup.

Callaghan, who was Berhalter’s assistant for several years, just led the USMNT to a CONCACAF Nations League title. His head coaching resume, brief as it may be, is at least successful.

Additionally, this will not be the A-team the U.S. brought to the Nations League, with the Gold Cup roster mostly comprised of players on the fringe.

But still, it seems a bit odd for a head coach — especially one like Berhalter who is so familiar with the team already — to not do the very thing his job title suggests during a major international competition.

This issue was posed to U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker at last week’s re-introductory press conference for Berhalter. Crocker suggested that Berhalter will actually be more useful to the USMNT doing non-coaching things for the next few weeks.

“What we didn’t want to create was the environment of you know, Gregg puts his boots straight back on, slides back into the environment, and it’s very much business as usual,” Crocker said. “There’s some real big-ticket items around some real strategic stuff over the next couple of seasons that we need to map out first.”

After saying the U.S. is in “good hands” with Callaghan for the Gold Cup, Crocker added that having a former Berhalter assistant in charge provides continuity that will free Berhalter himself to begin planning a strategy for the 2026 World Cup.

“It gives myself and Gregg the real great opportunity of spending some real time together, working through and piecing together the framework of that strategy for 2026. We can then bring that back to the staff and players and start to get their input to really develop it together collectively.”

The USMNT kicks off the Gold Cup on Saturday against Jamaica.

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Berhalter confirms ‘intriguing’ Club America talks before USMNT interview

Berhalter may have been close to a Mexico City move

Those rumors linking Gregg Berhalter to the Club América job? The man himself says they were legit.

Speaking to reporters after his return as the U.S. men’s national team head coach on Friday, Berhalter confirmed that he and the Liga MX power held talks. Per the 49-year-old, that process was only interrupted by U.S. Soccer setting a date for an interview.

“Regarding Club América, one thing I’d say is I had never dealt with them before, and I was really impressed with the level that they were working at,” said Berhalter. “The staff, the management, everything…I think it was a intriguing possibility.”

Berhalter explained that he wouldn’t have been able to forgive himself for turning down the USMNT’s call, and expressed gratitude that Club América was amenable to him interviewing for his old job.

“One thing I told them when I got the date for [the USMNT] interview is, ‘I have to do this interview. I know that we have something that we’re discussing, but I have to go through this because I would regret it the rest of my life, if I never gave myself the opportunity.’ And so thankfully, they were accommodating.”

Berhalter’s ‘options’ were real

Following a U.S. Soccer investigation into a domestic violence incident involving him and his now-wife Rosalind which ruled that he was still eligible for the USMNT job, Berhalter said that he “had options.”

Club América director of football Santiago Baños discussed the Berhalter rumors on Wednesday, and the Mexico City side wasn’t alone in pursuing the New Jersey native. Berhalter was also reportedly in the running to become Sparta Rotterdam’s next manager, with Dutch outlets listing him as a finalist to take over the Eredivisie club. However, he did not address the rumors of a possible return to the Netherlands, where he started his professional career and spent six seasons as a player.

With a history of success in MLS and experience coaching in Europe with Swedish side Hammarby, Berhalter would have likely been a strong candidate for open posts on both continents had U.S. Soccer not made their decision earlier this week.

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Berhalter admits there’s ‘work to do’ to repair relationship with Reyna

The returning head coach is aiming to regain the trust of one of his top young players

U.S. men’s national team head coach Gregg Berhalter has admitted that he has “work to do” to repair his relationship with Gio Reyna.

After six months away from the team following the expiry of his contract and an extensive process of interviews, Berhalter has returned as USMNT head coach.

The end of Berhalter’s time in charge was marred by a scandal that began with him unwittingly revealing that he nearly sent Reyna home from the World Cup in Qatar.

Reyna responded to Berhalter’s comments by admitting he let his “emotions get the best of me” at the World Cup, but also expressing his dismay that the coach’s words made their way into the public sphere.

Reyna’s parents Claudio and Danielle would then kick off a painful and public imbroglio by telling U.S. Soccer leadership the details of a 1992 incident of domestic violence between Berhalter and his future wife.

Speaking at his introductory press conference on Friday, Berhalter admitted that he will have to fix his relationship with the Borussia Dortmund attacker.

“I’d certainly acknowledge there’s work to do,” Berhalter said.

“Gio is an important player to this team. He’s an extremely talented individual. And I have the obligation and the commitment to coach him like I coach every other player, and I want to get the best out of him.

“We know that if we can unlock his talents, he’s going to be a game-changer for this program. So there’s work to do and part of it is working together with Matt [Crocker, U.S. Soccer sporting director] and trying to rebuild the relationship that we know will be important moving forward.”

Crocker said he put all of the USMNT coaching candidates through stress tests around communication and leadership, and he came away convinced that Berhalter would be able to fix the Reyna situation.

“We went through the whole process of stresses in those areas,” Crocker said. “And it came out clear that Gregg was an individual that had a huge amount of of leadership skills and competencies.”

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The soccer world reacts to Gregg Berhalter’s stunning USMNT return

People are angry, happy, confused, and non-plussed

Gregg Berhalter is back as the U.S. men’s national team head coach, and people are handling the news with calm, measured thoughts.

And why wouldn’t they? It’s been a completely normal process in which Berhalter’s contract ran out just as he became embroiled in a scandal sparked by his closest friends and a domestic violence incident in 1992. That was quickly followed by U.S. Soccer seeing its sporting director Earnie Stewart and USMNT general manager Brian McBride both depart, two interim coaches, and a new sporting director arriving amid all of that.

So obviously, it has not been normal at all. U.S. Soccer’s path back to Berhalter saw even his strongest backers take pause as the search dragged on through the winter and spring months. The USMNT player pool largely endorsed a return…except for some notable exceptions.

The rhetoric is heated up in the strangest way, just hours after the USMNT went out and clobbered Mexico in a way it arguably never has before. Here’s just a sample of the red-hot (or ice cold) reactions flying around online:

After all of that, Gregg Berhalter is back as USMNT head coach

The former USMNT coach has completed a stunning return after six months away

Gregg Berhalter has completed a stunning return to his position as U.S. men’s national team head coach.

Following the expiration of his contract at the end of 2022 and a salacious scandal involving Claudio and Danielle Reyna, the chances of Berhalter being reappointed for another cycle looked slim.

But after taking charge of the USMNT from 2018 through the 2022 World Cup, U.S. Soccer has confirmed that Berhalter will return to lead the team through the 2026 World Cup on home soil.

Berhalter returns after two of his previous assistants — first Anthony Hudson and now B.J. Callaghan — coached the USMNT in 2023 on an interim basis.

U.S. Soccer said Callaghan will remain in charge through the Nations League final against Canada on Sunday, and the Gold Cup that will run from late June through mid July.

“I want to thank Matt [Crocker, U.S. Soccer sporting director], and the entire U.S. Soccer Federation, for the trust they’ve placed in me,” said Berhalter.

“I’m grateful to have the opportunity to build on our achievements at the World Cup and to contribute to this exciting time for soccer in our country. The entire group of players and staff have worked incredibly hard to establish our identity on and off the field. We look forward to continuing our journey together to make our fans and our nation proud.”

In March, a U.S. Soccer investigation concluded that Berhalter and his wife Rosalind were forthcoming about a 1992 incident of domestic violence that was brought to the federation’s attention by the Reynas — whom the report criticized heavily.

Berhalter, U.S. Soccer concluded, was still a candidate for his old job.

Crocker was hired in April and a number of candidates were linked to the vacant position, with Crocker reportedly interviewing more than 10.

But Berhalter rose to the top of the candidate pool, in part due to the vocal support of some of the USMNT’s top players.

Most notably, the typically reticent Christian Pulisic gave Berhalter a full-throated endorsement while slamming the Reynas during an interview in March.

Brenden Aaronson told Pro Soccer Wire in March: “I think Gregg was amazing for the time that he was here. The record doesn’t lie.”

Matt Turner and Antonee Robinson have also offered their support, while Tim Weah said of Berhalter last week: “Hopefully he comes back.”

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Gregg Berhalter … rehired as USMNT coach? U.S. soccer fans are so mad

Really? Why?

This is kind of a surprise, don’t you think?

After a disappointing World Cup for the United States Men’s National team that was followed by the bizarre Gio Reyna family controversy which was an awful look for the Reynas, it felt like head coach Gregg Berhalter wouldn’t be coming back.

But: No. After the USMNT beat Mexico 3-0 on Thursday night, news broke that Berhalter would be brought back to coach the men’s national soccer team.

Although there are some who think that’s the right call, I saw a bunch of fans and experts questioning the move. Here’s a roundup from Twitter:

Will Gregg Berhalter be the next Club America coach? We may know this week

Berhalter is in demand on both sides of the Atlantic

Gregg Berhalter has said he has options, and Club América may well be on his list.

The Mexico City club is without a coach after Fernando Ortíz’s resignation in May, and reports from TUDN and ESPN have both said that the former (and still possibly future?) U.S. men’s national team boss is a strong candidate to take over at Estadio Azteca.

Those reports gained steam after remarks from the club’s director of football Santiago Baños, who acknowledged the Berhalter rumors among a long list of other prominent names linked to the Águilas job.

“There’s been a list of 37 [candidates] that has come out, including Berhalter, [Eduardo] Coudet, [André] Jardine, [Hernán] Crespo, [Fernando] Gago,” Baños said on an appearance on TUDN show Línea de 4. “That’s just today, in addition to those that have come in recent weeks.”

Baños took the time to rule out Javier Aguirre, one of the many candidates being bandied about, but notably did not do the same when Berhalter’s name came up.

Adding to the situation, Baños gave a broad description of what América wants out of their next head coach, and it aligns with the general perception of who the 49-year-old Berhalter is as a manager.

“We want someone young, with up-to-date ideas, a clear methodology,” explained Baños. “Someone offensive-minded, able to keep possession and high pressure.”

Whether their top choice is Berhalter or anyone else on the apparently endless list, the club plans to announce their hire by Saturday.

“Now, we are very advanced in the negotiation,” said Baños. “I hope that we will have news on Thursday, between Thursday and Friday, and that he joins the group on Saturday in Salt Lake City for the friendly against Toluca.”

Berhalter also linked to Sparta Rotterdam

América may be the most prominent club job Berhalter has been publicly linked with, but it’s certainly not the only team on the list.

On Tuesday, Rijnmond Sport reported that Berhalter is one of the final five candidates in consideration to take over at Eredivisie side Sparta Rotterdam. Sparta has been in the market for a new head coach after former boss Maurice Steijn was hired away by Ajax, a move that was officially announced on Wednesday.

Berhalter played for Sparta early in his career, spending 1996-98 with De Kasteelheren. However, there are some other familiar names said to be in the running, including two former FC Cincinnati head coaches in Jaap Stam and Ron Jans.

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Weah says he hopes Berhalter returns as USMNT coach

Another key USMNT player backs Berhalter

The U.S. men’s national team is still without a permanent coach, but forward Tim Weah knows who he’d like to see get the full-time job.

Speaking with TUDN during the USMNT’s camp for their upcoming CONCACAF Nations League knockout matches, Weah voiced his support for former head coach Gregg Berhalter.

Asked about the development of a stronger mentality in high-pressure games against Mexico — like the Nations League semifinal coming up on June 15 in Las Vegas — Weah gave the credit to his old coach.

“I think this question takes me back to Gregg. These past few games [against Mexico], Gregg has really kept us together,” said Weah. “Gregg, B.J., the whole staff, has really kept us as a unit. I think that’s what is our main focal point, it’s that we’re definitely a family. And no one can take that away.

“Gregg really helped us form this type of relationship with each other. So, he was a huge, huge, important part of this team. So hopefully, hopefully he comes back.”

In CONCACAF’s most ferocious rivalry, the USMNT — currently under the stewardship of interim coach B.J. Callaghan — has claimed an edge, going unbeaten over nearly four calendar years. In particular, the USMNT won three huge matches between the sides in 2021: the Nations League final, the Gold Cup final, and a World Cup qualifier in November of that year.

If Mexico doesn’t beat the USMNT next week, it will mark six straight matches in the rivalry without an El Tri win, tying the longest such run in the rivalry’s history (a six-game spell from August 2011 to April 2015).

Berhalter’s situation with the USMNT is an unprecedented one, with the coach meeting pre-tournament expectations at the 2022 World Cup before seeing his contract end while U.S. Soccer was in the midst of a review process of the entire qualifying cycle.

Before the federation could finish that process, a scandal involving Gio Reyna’s playing time, his very angry parents, and a long-buried instance of domestic violence broke into full public view, leaving Berhalter’s position very much in question.

Compounding the situation, U.S. Soccer’s leadership has seen significant change. In January, sporting director Earnie Stewart left the federation for a prominent role at PSV, while Brian McBride’s time as USMNT general manager also came to an end. U.S. Soccer announced in April that they had hired Matt Crocker away from Southampton to take over the sporting director job, but the native of Wales doesn’t start in his position on a full-time basis until August.

Callaghan isn’t even the federation’s first interim coach amid all of this change. Anthony Hudson held the job for a few months before being announced as the new head coach at Qatari club Al Markhiya on Tuesday.

In backing Berhalter — who has never ruled a return out — Weah joins a growing list of USMNT players who have voiced their support. Christian Pulisic has stumped for Berhalter on multiple occasions, while Matt Turner and Antonee Robinson have also characterized their experiences under Berhalter as positive.

On the other hand, Joe Scally and Matt Miazga have offered hints that they’d prefer someone else be in charge. Thierry Henry and Pellegrino Matarazzo are among the big names to acknowledge some level of interest in becoming Berhalter’s full-time successor.

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‘We’re not a club team’ says Scally in swipe at ex-USMNT coach Berhalter 

Scally doesn’t want the USMNT ‘overthinking on the field’

For Joe Scally, there’s beauty in simplicity when it comes to the U.S. men’s national team.

The Borussia Mönchengladbach defender told Fútbol Americas on Wednesday that he felt Gregg Berhalter’s USMNT approach was too complicated.

“We’re not a club team, you know?,” said the 20-year-old when asked what qualities he wants to see in the next USMNT boss. “We need to just understand the simple tactics, simple system that we can all apply, that brings out the best in all the players. Not something to where it’s too complicated and you’re overthinking on the field.”

Scally — who is enjoying a strong season with Gladbach, appearing in all but three of their Bundesliga matches — was one of the few outfield players that didn’t appear during the World Cup, and had previously admitted that he was surprised that he didn’t get on the field in Qatar.

The former NYCFC defender didn’t necessarily want to trash Berhalter, acknowledging that “his ideas were good, [we] definitely played well in the World Cup.” However, he seemed to take issue with Berhalter’s more involved system, echoing a critique that has been offered from some corners of the fanbase over the years.

“The national team brings the joy out of the game, you’re playing for your country, you know, you’re just there with that extra fight,” explained Scally. “Knowing you have the crest on your chest should bring out everything you need in the game, not confusing tactics and all this… as a player, when you’re on the field and you’re overthinking things, it leads to silly mistakes and silly things where you’re not yourself, and you can’t express yourself. So I think that was one of the things that didn’t work out.”

It’s not clear whether Scally and Berhalter will be working together any time soon. U.S. Soccer appears likely to stick with interim head coach Anthony Hudson through this summer’s CONCACAF Nations League and Gold Cup. The federation has appointed Matt Crocker as their new sporting director, but the Englishman will not start in the job on a full-time basis until August 2. U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone said that the federation would like to settle on a new USMNT head coach by the end of this summer.

Berhalter’s contract with the federation ended in December 2022, amid a conflict with Gio Reyna’s parents Claudio and Danielle — both former national team players themselves — and has now been a free agent for over four months.

Since then, the takes on whether he should get another chance or not have been distinctly mixed. Christian Pulisic backed Berhalter, as have starters Antonee Robinson and Matt Turner. On the other hand, former USMNT star DaMarcus Beasley said he didn’t see how his former teammate could continue in the job.

Berhalter himself has said that he “has options” in terms of his next coaching post, though he has not ruled himself out of the running to come back with the USMNT.

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Gregg Berhalter has two more backers: Antonee Robinson and Matt Turner

After Christian Pulisic, two more USMNT players are offering support to their former coach

Two more U.S. national team World Cup starters have offered their support to Gregg Berhalter, with Antonee Robinson and Matt Turner agreeing with Christian Pulisic’s assessment of the coach’s “extremely unfortunate” situation.

Berhalter coached the USMNT to the round of 16 at the World Cup before his contract expired at the end of 2022. In the meantime, a scandal around his personal life has exploded into public view.

Irked by Berhalter’s treatment of their son Gio, the coach’s close friends Claudio and Danielle Reyna revealed a 1992 domestic violence incident involving Berhalter and his future wife to U.S. Soccer officials.

Pulisic hit out at the Reynas’ “childish” behavior in an interview with ESPN last week, lamenting the position they had put the coach and his family in.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Robinson praised the work Berhalter did with the USMNT while echoing Pulisic’s words about the difficult position into which he’d been placed.

“I think he did a very good job creating a style of play that suited a lot of the players that he brought in,” the Fulham left back said. “Getting a lot of talented players together, obviously quite young guys like Yunus [Musah] started when he was manager. And then [he got us] on the same page, bringing us to the World Cup where we didn’t do as well as we’d have liked to, but we still did I think very well in footballing performances that we’re all proud of.

“It’s situation that’s off the pitch and unfortunate having past things brought up, especially when it’s things that have been dealt with and could influence his life now. So on a personal level and a professional level, that’s unfortunate. I just hope it all gets resolved on his side really quickly and he can move on from it.”

Turner agreed, praising the culture that Berhalter created with the USMNT.

“From the outside, it’s not as clear the connection that he created amongst the group, the selections, the like-mindedness of people,” the goalkeeper said. “And it became this culture that sort of policed itself, which I think can be pretty rare when it comes to national teams getting together.

“We’re grateful for all the work that he put in and think we really did thrive during his tenure, and we’ll see what the future holds.”

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