When Gregg Berhalter took over as the head coach of the U.S. men’s national team five and a half years ago, the team was in a tough spot. The infamous loss to Trinidad and Tobago in 2017 that led to the U.S. missing the World Cup in Russia was a wake-up call for the program. It exposed the flaws in the development of young talent in previous cycles. Berhalter was brought in to move the team forward.
After a disappointing performance in the Copa America, questions have arisen about Berhalter’s future with the team. The U.S. Soccer leadership will evaluate his performance in the coming days. While Berhalter believes he is the right person to lead the team into the 2026 World Cup, the final decision rests with the federation.
Berhalter’s tenure has seen a mix of experienced players and young talents. He has focused on building a team for the future, with an eye on the 2026 World Cup. Despite some successes, the past year has been challenging for the team. The recent failure to advance in the Copa America has raised doubts about Berhalter’s leadership.
Players have expressed support for Berhalter, praising his work ethic and the team’s culture. However, there are concerns about whether the team has reached its full potential under his guidance. The lack of significant wins against top opponents and recent losses have highlighted the need for improvement.
The decision on Berhalter’s future will have significant implications for the team’s prospects in the upcoming World Cup. While there are questions about his leadership, finding a suitable replacement could prove challenging for U.S. Soccer. The coming days will be crucial in determining the team’s direction moving forward.