Gregg Berhalter deflects question on USA soccer future after World Cup exit to Holland
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Gregg Berhalter deflects the question about the future of US soccer after the World Cup exit to the Netherlands, with a polarized coach who will not have a contract at the end of the tournament: “In the coming weeks, I will think about what’s next “
USA coach Gregg Berhalter refused to shed any light on his future with the team after their 3-1 loss to the Netherlands, with the possibility of him coaching the team at the 2026 World Cup apparently in doubt.
The US, Canada and Mexico will jointly host the next edition of the tournament, where the US’s young roster will be at its strongest in less than four years, and US Soccer will want to make sure it has the right man in charge afterward. of a decent performance in Qatar.
But the contracts for Berhalter and his staff only run until the end of this tournament, and it seemed uncertain on Saturday whether he would continue with the national team.
Gregg Berhalter’s USMNT coaching career might be over after he was hired in 2018
“I’ve only been concentrating on the World Cup, achieving things with this group,” he said after the game when asked about his future.
“In the next two weeks, I’ll clear my head and think about what’s next.”
The withdrawal of the United States from the tournament has led many fans to call for Berhalter’s dismissal.
Berhalter consoled Christian Pulisic after the game, where the talisman assisted the only goal
The 49-year-old frustrated the fanbase with some of his personal decisions over the course of the tournament, including the scant use of Gio Reyna and an unwillingness to play Tim Weah as the No. 9.
Related to this, his decision not to bring forwards Jordan Pefok or Ricardo Pepi to the tournament was considered curious by some.
And while the USA (three goals in four games) struggled to score in this tournament, it wasn’t all bad for Berhalter.
The Netherlands advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals in Qatar with a 3-1 victory over Team USA.
The team looked extremely organized defensively at first, not conceding a single goal from open play until Saturday’s knockout game against the Netherlands.
US Soccer may decide to bring in a fresh face for the next World Cup cycle, but Berhalter’s work in revamping the team deserves recognition.
After being signed by the team in December 2018 after they failed to qualify for that year’s World Cup, he would lead the team to the Gold Cup and Nations League titles.
He also helped recruit dual nationality players like Sergino Dest and Yunus Musah, who have become vital members of the team.