Tag: U.S. soccer

Euro 2024-winning Spain coach Luis de la Fuente interested in USMNT job

Could one of the world’s top international coaches be interested in the USMNT?

There is a major new name in the mix for the U.S. men’s national team head coaching position.

On Sunday, the day he led Spain to the Euro 2024 title, Luis de la Fuente’s representatives confirmed to the Washington Post they had reached out to U.S. Soccer to express interest in the USMNT job.

The 63-year-old’s stock is at an all-time high after guiding Spain through Euro 2024 with seven wins from seven matches, culminating in a 2-1 victory over England in Sunday’s final in Berlin.

La Roja also registered wins over Croatia, Italy, Germany and France en route to the title, its record fourth men’s European championship.

The USMNT position has been vacant since Gregg Berhalter was dismissed last week in the wake of the team’s stunning group-stage exit at the Copa América.

Several names have already been mentioned as potential replacements, with Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy and LAFC boss Steve Cherundolo both indicating they may be interested when recently quizzed on the job.

De la Fuente has been a coach in Spain’s national team setup since 2013, taking charge of the under-19 and under-21 teams before coaching the under-23 team at the Olympics in 2021. He was named senior national team coach in 2022, and just signed a contract extension through 2026 last month.

If the Spain boss is truly interested, he would seemingly be near the top of the list of candidates. But it is worth considering just how real De la Fuente’s interest truly is.

On the CBS Sports Golazo Network, Spanish journalist Guillem Balague speculated on Monday that De la Fuente may be looking to use U.S. Soccer as leverage to push the Spanish federation to offer him a larger contract.

According to Balague, however, there is another Spanish coach who may have more concrete interest: former Liverpool and Real Madrid boss Rafael Benítez.

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U.S. Soccer sporting director Crocker wants Berhalter replacement by September

Crocker is targeting a two-month coaching search, but has plans in place if it goes longer

U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker has said he would ideally like to have a new U.S. men’s national team head coach in place by September.

U.S. Soccer announced on Wednesday that Gregg Berhalter would be relieved of his duties, nine days after a loss to Uruguay confirmed a stunning group-stage exit at the Copa América.

In U.S. Soccer’s announcement, Crocker said that the search for Berhalter’s replacement was already underway. In a call with reporters later on Wednesday, the sporting director said he was targeting September’s FIFA window — which will see the USMNT face Canada on Sept. 7 and New Zealand three days later — to have a new coach in place.

However, Crocker added that he had “a really robust contingency plan” in place if a new coach wasn’t hired by then.

The length of U.S. Soccer’s search will be a major talking point after the team’s past two USMNT coaching hires have come at end of elongated processes.

Bruce Arena resigned in November 2017 after the team’s stunning failure to reach the 2018 World Cup, but Berhalter was not named as his successor for 13 months.

After Berhalter’s contract expired at the end of 2022, it would be another six months (which included a major scandal) until U.S. Soccer ultimately decided to re-hire him for a second stint.

This time, Crocker is hoping to shorten that timeframe down to two months. As far as which coach actually comes in, Crocker said that money and nationality would not be limiting factors.

“We are looking for a serial winning coach, a coach that can also build on the work that has already been put in place,” Crocker said.

“I just want to get the best coach possible that can help the team win,” Crocker added. “Whether they’re from the U.S. or elsewhere.

“It’s a really competitive market out there, salary-wise, and we have to be competitive to get the level of coach that I believe can take the program forward in terms of achieving the results that we want on the field.”

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U.S. Soccer reportedly reaches out to Klopp over USMNT job

When it comes to the ex-Liverpool boss, U.S. Soccer is shooting its shot

When it comes to Jürgen Klopp, U.S. Soccer is shooting its shot.

According to a report in The Independent, the federation has already reached out to the ex-Liverpool coach just one day after firing Gregg Berhalter as U.S. men’s national team head coach.

However, The Athletic would later report that Klopp turned down the federation’s advances.

Berhalter was dismissed in the aftermath of the USMNT’s surprise group-stage exit at the Copa América, with U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker saying on Wednesday that a search for Berhalter’s replacement is already underway.

That search has taken the federation to Klopp, who would be something of a dream candidate despite his lack of experience at the international level.

Klopp just finished a wildly successful nine-year spell at Anfield, winning eight major trophies including the Premier League and Champions League.

Ex-USMNT stars Tim Howard and Alexi Lalas have called on the federation to target the charismatic German, with Howard even going as far as offering to personally fly to Spain to convince the 57-year-old.

Klopp is still seen as something of a long shot for the position, as he’s been clear that he intends to take a break from management after becoming burned out over his spell in Liverpool. He even suggested he could be done coaching altogether.

The pace of the international game, however, is less challenging than the daily rigors of the club game, which could be appealing to Klopp.

But Klopp also reportedly made $19.1 million per season at the end of his Liverpool contract, a figure nearly 10 times what Berhalter made as USMNT coach.

It’s unclear if U.S. Soccer has the ability to convince Klopp — financially or otherwise — that the USMNT is the right project for him to take on. Regardless, the federation is at least going to try.

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Gregg Berhalter sacked as USMNT head coach

A group-stage exit at the Copa America proved too much for Berhalter to overcome

Gregg Berhalter’s time as U.S. men’s national team head coach has come to an end.

Fox Sports first reported that Berhalter has been dismissed in the wake of the team’s stunning group-stage exit at the Copa América, which was confirmed last week with a 1-0 defeat to Uruguay.

U.S. Soccer confirmed the reports shortly thereafter, releasing a statement on Wednesday.

“I want to thank Gregg for his hard work and dedication to U.S. Soccer and our men’s national team,” said U.S. Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone. “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, in a statement supplied by U.S. Soccer to media, claimed “full responsibility” for the early Copa exit.

“I want to thank the U.S. Soccer Federation for entrusting me to lead this team for the past five years,” read Berhalter’s statement. “Representing our country is a tremendous honor and I am proud of the identity we have built on and off the field.

“It was very gratifying watching this team improve over the years and I remain grateful for the lifetime bonds created with our players, coaches, and staff members. The Copa América result is extremely disappointing and I take full responsibility for our performance. Our approach and process was always focused on the 2026 World Cup and I remain confident that this group will be one of the great stories in 2026.”

Per the federation, Crocker has been tabbed with the task of hiring Berhalter’s replacement, a search U.S. Soccer says is already underway.

“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,” said Crocker. “Our immediate focus is on finding a coach who can maximize our potential as we continue to prepare for the 2026 World Cup, and we have already begun our search process.”

Berhalter had been under increasing pressure following the Copa, with former players, pundits, media members and supporters all calling for a change.

The move caps a stunning reversal just one year after U.S. Soccer re-hired Berhalter with the express aim of taking the team through the 2026 World Cup on home soil.

Berhalter’s contract expired at the end of 2022, leaving his status unknown after the USMNT exited the 2022 World Cup in the last 16. A salacious scandal involving Claudio and Danielle Reyna would follow, which appeared to end any chance Berhalter had of regaining his old position.

However, after an extensive search process, U.S. Soccer confirmed that Berhalter would return to the position he had already held for four years.

But results since Berhalter’s reappointment have been disappointing, with the coach under major pressure even before the U.S. embarked on an ultimately doomed Copa América campaign.

Fox Sports added that U.S. Soccer figures to have a new, full-time coach in place before the next USMNT fixture, which is a September 7 friendly against Canada.

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One moment from the USMNT’s loss showed exactly why U.S. Soccer must move on from Gregg Berhalter

It was the weakest mentality from a coach.

The U.S. men’s national team had a prime opportunity heading into this summer to raise the program’s profile and take a major step forward ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Instead, the USMNT’s Copa America run ended in an embarrassing elimination in the group stage — a disappointment that falls squarely on head coach Gregg Berhalter.

But one moment, in particular, from Monday’s 1-0 loss to Uruguay will be impossible to overlook. It showed exactly why Berhalter is not the person to lead the most talented generation in the USMNT’s history beyond that match.

Just take a look:

Following the USMNT’s shocking loss to Panama on Thursday, the team needed either a win (and maintain a goal-differential lead on Panama) or some major help from bottom-feeding Bolivia in its match against Panama. Now, the USMNT should have gone into its matchup with Uruguay with the sole focus on winning. If anything, the coaching staff and players should have ignored the Bolivia-Panama game entirely. It would have taken a miraculous result to make the match relevant.

Yet, in the 65th minute, word started to spread around Arrowhead Stadium that Bolivia had equalized against Panama, meaning the USMNT would have been through if both scores held at the time. Berhalter appeared to signal that Bolivia scored to his players right before Uruguay lined up for a free kick. And, of course, Uruguay scored seconds later on a goal that should have been ruled offside by VAR.

The fact that Berhalter even acknowledged the Bolivia score during the match was a huge problem, though. It showed the weakest mindset of relying on others instead of pushing forward to win on the USMNT’s own right. Heck, even Ted Lasso knew to ignore other score lines and never play for a tie. That’s how far the USMNT have fallen with Berhalter’s rehire. Dude is getting out-coached by fictional characters.

And worst of all: It made no sense to even communicate the score to the players because Bolivia-Panama still had 30 minutes left to play. It wasn’t like Bolivia had pulled off the tie. And Panama would respond with two more goals to make the USMNT in need of a win that it should have been playing for all along.

After 2026, the USMNT won’t get another opportunity to host a World Cup with a competitive talent pool for decades. And if Berhalter continues at the job, U.S. Soccer would have willingly wasted that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. While Berhalter’s body of work is disqualifying, that single moment should have been the final straw.

U.S. fans are ready for a change — that’s for sure.

This was how Twitter/X reacted

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Korbin Albert’s Pride jersey earns highest bid at auction for LGBTQ+ charity

The midfielder’s jersey was sold for more than $4,000 — the highest bid of any USWNT or USMNT player

Korbin Albert’s Pride-themed jersey has earned the highest bid in an online auction of shirts worn by 49 U.S. women’s and men’s national team players in June.

U.S. Soccer auctioned off the jerseys worn by the USMNT and USWNT during Pride Month, with all proceeds benefitting You Can Play, a charity that, per a federation release, “helps promote a safe and inclusive environment for the LGBTQ+ community.”

All of the rainbow-numbered jerseys were signed by players and then put up for auction throughout June, with the bidding ending on Sunday, the last day of the month.

Albert’s kit earned a bid of $4,052 from a user known as Daniel G. That offer easily topped the second-highest winning bid of $3,014, which came in for Alex Morgan’s jersey.

That Albert’s jersey topped all bids is, of course, ironic, given the controversy that has surrounded the midfielder since fans discovered anti-LGBTQ+ activity on her TikTok account back in March.

Albert apologized after the posts were publicized, and has since been rebuked by USWNT players past and present for her social media activity.

The 20-year-old has continued to be a key member of the USWNT’s midfield, appearing in all 10 of the team’s games this year.

Albert was named to the USWNT Olympic roster last week, with head coach Emma Hayes insisting afterwards that the midfielder is working hard behind the scenes and fully understands the damage that her posts could cause.

“I can say firsthand that having spent limited time with Korbin, she really is a lovely person and someone who really values the most important things, and that she’s spending time working on herself as we all do,” Hayes said.

“I look forward to building on that with her, and I want everybody to know that my job is to make sure I keep doing that. I want the fans to really embrace Korbin because I think she’s a tremendous human being.”

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U.S. Soccer ‘disturbed’ by racism toward USMNT players after Panama loss

The federation said multiple USMNT players had been targeted

U.S. Soccer said it was “deeply disturbed” after several U.S. men’s national team players were sent racist comments online following Thursday’s defeat to Panama.

The USMNT fell 2-1 to Panama in the Copa América, a result that could lead to a group-stage elimination if the U.S. doesn’t defeat Uruguay on Monday.

Following the game, U.S. Soccer released a statement condemning the comments that it said several players received.

“U.S. Soccer is aware of and deeply disturbed by the racist comments made online and directed at several of our men’s national team players following tonight’s match,” the statement read.

“There is absolutely no place in the game for such hateful and discriminatory behavior. These actions are not only unacceptable but also contrary to the values of respect and inclusivity that we uphold as an organization.

“U.S. Soccer stands firmly against racism in all forms and will continue to support our players.”

The federation did not name any of the players targeted, but striker Folarin Balogun and defender Chris Richards both shared racist messages they received on Instagram after the game.

In addition to the statement, U.S. Soccer said it had contacted CONMEBOL and would offer mental health services to its players and staff.

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How to buy U.S. vs. Panama Copa América tickets

The USMNT defeated Bolivia 2-0 on Sunday evening. Catch the next U.S. in person, limited tickets remain for Thursday’s matchup against Panama in Atlanta.

The U.S. men’s national team started off its Copa América tournament with a dominant 2-0 win against Bolivia.

Captain America Christian Pulisic kicked things off with a goal in just the third minute of the game.

WATCH: Christian Pulisic’s beautiful opening goal against Bolivia

Pulisic wasn’t done, earning an assist on the only other goal in the game, and leading the team to the top of Group C.

Next up, the Stars and Stripes head to Atlanta to take on Panama at 6:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday, June 27.

SHOP: USMNT vs. Panama Copa América tickets

Limited tickets still remain for Thursday’s showdown at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. As of publication, the cheapest ticket available was $83, while the cheapest available suite ticket was $359.

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How to buy U.S. vs. Panama Copa América tickets

The USMNT defeated Bolivia 2-0 on Sunday evening. Catch the next U.S. in person, limited tickets remain for Thursday’s matchup against Panama in Atlanta.

The U.S. men’s national team started off its Copa América tournament with a dominant 2-0 win against Bolivia.

Captain America Christian Pulisic kicked things off with a goal in just the third minute of the game.

WATCH: Christian Pulisic’s beautiful opening goal against Bolivia

Pulisic wasn’t done, earning an assist on the only other goal in the game, and leading the team to the top of Group C.

Next up, the Stars and Stripes head to Atlanta to take on Panama at 6:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday, June 27.

SHOP: USMNT vs. Panama Copa América tickets

Limited tickets still remain for Thursday’s showdown at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. As of publication, the cheapest ticket available was $83, while the cheapest available suite ticket was $359.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop U.S. vs Panam Copa América tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/JpXbRWD”]

Apple TV to broadcast final three rounds of 2024 U.S. Open Cup

The seven games will be available for free

U.S. Soccer has announced an agreement with Apple TV to broadcast the final three rounds of the 2024 U.S. Open Cup on MLS Season Pass.

The seven games will be available free to any user with an Apple ID.

MLS Season Pass will broadcast the quarterfinals (July 9-10), semifinals (August 27-28), and the final (September 25), with the last-eight pairings determined on Wednesday night after the conclusion of the round of 16.

The deal is only through the remainder of the 2024 tournament, with broadcast details — and indeed, the fate of the Open Cup itself — unknown beyond this season.

After initially trying to pull all of its clubs out of the Open Cup, MLS eventually agreed to field eight of its 26 American teams in this year’s competition.

That agreement is only good through the 2024 edition, with further discussions yet to take place on the format moving forward.

Of those eight teams in the Open Cup this year, five have reached the quarterfinal stage. The other three remaining clubs are from the second-tier USL Championship.

Below are the quarterfinal pairings, with the final schedule and venues for all matches still to be confirmed. The home side is listed first in each pairing.

2024 U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals

  • Sporting Kansas City (MLS) vs. FC Dallas (MLS)
  • Atlanta United (MLS) vs. Indy Eleven (USL-C)
  • Sacramento Republic (USL-C) vs. Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
  • Los Angeles FC (MLS) vs. New Mexico United (USL-C)

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