After months of World Cup prep, playing in Qatar, elimination by the Netherlands, expiring contracts, domestic violence investigations, dishonor at the hands of the Reynas, multi-million dollars paid in a quest for coaching, and half of the year spent with two interim managers – Gregg Berhalter remains the head coach of the US men’s national team.
It’s the most anti-climactic ending to one of the most scandal-ridden sagas in federation history — but U.S. Soccer has confirmed that Gregg Berhalter will be reinstated as head coach.
Around the time of the CONCACAF Nations League semi-final between the US and Mexico on Thursday night, reports emerged from The Athletic that Berhalter would be thrown back into the fold as the boss of the USMNT.
BJ Callaghan, the team’s current interim manager, will continue to coach the team through the CONCACAF Gold Cup, US Soccer says.
‘I want to thank [sporting director] Mat [Crocker]and the entire American Football Federation, for the trust they have placed in me,” Berhalter said in a statement.
Gregg Berhalter has been reappointed as head coach of the US men’s national team
“I am grateful to be given the opportunity to build on our World Cup performance and contribute to this exciting time in football in our country.
“The entire squad and staff have worked incredibly hard to establish our identity on and off the pitch.
“We look forward to continuing our journey together to make our fans and our nation proud.”
After a World Cup campaign that ended in a Round of 16 defeat to the Netherlands – but widely seen as a success – Berhalter’s contract expired with no extension offered.
This was partly due to a scandal involving alleged domestic violence in 1992 between Berhalter and his wife Rosalind.
An in-depth investigation into the evening’s events was prompted after US Soccer was informed by Claudio and Danielle Reyna – Gio Reyna’s parents – of anger that their son was not achieving top minutes at the World Cup.
That investigation by the law firm of Alston & Bird found that both Rosalind’s and Gregg Berhalter’s accounts were accurate and that Gregg committed no further acts of violence.
But in the weeks following that revelation, several people left US Soccer and a newly hired sports director, Matt Crocker, jumped at the opportunity to interview candidates.
Matt Crocker evaluated coaching candidates through various filters and tests
“As I embarked on this quest, my focus was on finding someone with the right vision to take this program to new heights in 2026,” Crocker said in a statement.
“Gregg has that vision, as well as the experience and growth mindset on and off the field to take this team forward.
Appointing the right head coach for a national team is a critical decision that reflects the identity of US Soccer and lays the foundation for growing soccer nationwide for years to come.
“I am convinced that Gregg is the right person for the job and I look forward to working with him.”
According to a statement from US Soccer, candidates in the coaching search were evaluated for multiple reasons, including “building lasting relationships with staff and players, planning and effectively driving a vision-led identity, pushing innovation and boundaries, and make a decisive decision’. maker.
within these categories [Crocker] used advanced data analytics, advanced statistics and advanced recruiting methods to profile and rank each candidate.
“Candidates have been assessed through all those filters over the course of several weeks and passed a whole series of practical and psychological tests.”
Although Berhalter’s teams lacked finishing ability, they looked strong defensively and in midfield
Under Berhalter, the United States emerged from the group stage of the World Cup – their third consecutive knockout round in the tournament.
While the team looked sound defensively and had good possession of the ball, they lacked power in the final third, eventually scoring just three goals in four games.
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