‘He’s holding us back’: USMNT fans want Gregg Berhalter FIRED after World Cup exit to Holland

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‘It’s holding us back’: USMNT fans want Gregg Berhalter FIRED after World Cup departure to Holland, with his use of Gio Reyna and Brendan Aaronson BEATEN by frustrated supporters

US fans are calling for Gregg Berhalter to be fired as coach after the team’s elimination from the World Cup on Saturday.

Team USA was knocked out of the tournament with a 3-1 loss to the Netherlands, abruptly ending the growing sense of optimism surrounding a talented young team.

The Netherlands needed just 10 minutes to take the lead through Memphis Depay. Daley Blind doubled the lead, but when Haji Wright came from behind, there was hope for the US to fight back.

US fans have called for Gregg Berhalter to be sacked as coach after his World Cup exit

US fans have called for Gregg Berhalter to be sacked as coach after his World Cup exit

USA was beaten 3-1 by the Netherlands and fans criticized Berhalter's setup with the team

USA was beaten 3-1 by the Netherlands and fans criticized Berhalter’s setup with the team

Some said Berhalter was holding the team back and wanted to see more of Reyna and Aaronson.

Some said Berhalter was holding the team back and wanted to see more of Reyna and Aaronson.

1670130965 719 Hes holding us back USMNT fans want Gregg Berhalter FIRED

It only lasted five minutes, when Denzel Dumfries scored the Netherlands third to book a place in the quarter-finals.

And after the game, fans called for a coaching change to get the best out of the team in time for the 2026 World Cup, where the US is co-hosting along with Mexico and Canada.

High on the American fans’ list of concerns was Berhalter’s use of Gio Reyna and Brendan Aaronson. Surprisingly, Dortmund star Reyna didn’t start a game, but was thrown at halftime against the Netherlands. Otherwise, he played the last seven minutes against England.

Aaronson, meanwhile, made four consecutive substitute appearances in Qatar and Berhalter mainly opted for a three-man midfield in the tournament with Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie and captain Tyler Adams.

Reyna entered at halftime for the USA against the Netherlands, but otherwise played only one more game.

Reyna entered at halftime for the USA against the Netherlands, but otherwise played only one more game.

Midfielder Brendan Aaronson (right) made four consecutive substitute appearances for Qatar

Midfielder Brendan Aaronson (right) made four consecutive substitute appearances for Qatar

‘Why doesn’t Berhalter start Reyna and Aaronson?’ a fan put on Twitter. “They are the most talented players in USMNT, even more than Pulisic.”

Another wrote: “(Jesús) Pereira had no business being out there today, Berhalter needs to explain to me why he was so reluctant to start Reyna or Aaronson at all!”

On a broader level, some fans felt that Berhalter’s tactics hampered the team in Qatar.

“I firmly believe that the USMNT has gotten to where it is despite Berhalter, not because of him. He is holding us back,” said one supporter.

Another opinion was: ‘Louis van Gaal (the Netherlands coach) had a master class today, not that we gave him much to think about.’

Berhalter said it was a difficult result to accept and praised his team's effort during the World Cup.

Berhalter said it was a difficult result to accept and praised his team’s effort during the World Cup.

For his part, Berhalter admitted that the loss would be hard to take.

“This is a tough one to drive, it’s such a good group of guys, such a tight-knit group of guys and we came up short today, but not for lack of trying, not for lack of effort,” Berhalter said.

“I think the guys put everything they had into this game and unfortunately we lost it.”