‘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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