Gregg Berhalter was dismissed as the U.S. men’s soccer coach on Wednesday, following the team’s first-round exit from the Copa America, which cast doubt on his suitability to lead the team into the 2026 World Cup.
Berhalter’s second term as coach ended 10 months after his return, where he had aimed to “change soccer in America forever.” During his second stint, the U.S. team had seven wins, six losses, and one draw, bringing his overall record to 44 wins, 17 losses, and 13 draws.
Sporting director Matt Crocker, who rehired Berhalter, will now recommend his replacement. The team is scheduled to play friendlies against Canada and New Zealand in September.
“Our immediate focus is on finding a coach who can maximize our potential as we continue to prepare for the 2026 World Cup, and we have already begun our search process,” Crocker said in a statement.
Crocker and USSF president Cindy Parlow Cone issued statements but did not make themselves available for media questions.
Speculated candidates to replace Berhalter include Jurgen Klopp, Thierry Henry, Marcelo Bielsa, Jesse Marsch, Hugo Perez, Pellegrino Matarazzo, David Wagner, Steve Cherundolo, Jim Curtain, Massimiliano Allegri, and Mauricio Pochettino.
Salary could be a potential issue. Berhalter earned $2,291,136 in 2022, including $900,000 in bonuses for the team qualifying for the World Cup and reaching the second round. A top-level men’s coach could pressure the USSF to increase the salary of newly hired women’s coach Emma Hayes.
The World Cup is set to return to the United States in 23 months, with the Americans’ opener on June 12, 2026, in Inglewood, California. The only competitive matches with the full player pool before then are likely in the CONCACAF Nations League.
Berhalter, who turns 51 on August 1, was the first American to coach the national team after playing for it at a World Cup. He was hired as the U.S. coach in December 2018 after stints with Sweden’s Hammarby (2011-13) and Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew (2013-18).
He led the U.S. to CONCACAF Nations League titles in 2020, 2023, and 2024, and to another with a B team in the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup. His players supported him, stating he fostered a culture that united the group.
This support led to Crocker rehiring Berhalter five months after his initial contract expired amid an investigation of a decades-old domestic violence allegation brought to the USSF’s attention by the Reyna family, who were upset over Gio Reyna’s limited playing time at the World Cup. A law firm retained by the USSF found no legal obstacle to rehiring Berhalter.
Critics cited a lack of success against teams outside the region and struggles on the road against Central American rivals. The U.S. secured the region’s final automatic World Cup berth on goal difference, with the second-youngest team at the 2022 tournament in Qatar. The U.S. drew 1-1 with Wales, tied England 0-0, and defeated Iran 1-0 to reach the knockout stage, where they lost 3-1 to the Netherlands.
Player discipline issues also emerged: Defender Sergino Dest received a red card last November at Trinidad and Tobago for arguing with a referee, and winger Tim Weah was ejected from the Panama match for punching an opponent.
“Gregg has earned the respect of everyone within our organization and has played a pivotal role in bringing together a young team and moving the program forward,” Crocker said in his statement.
U.S. coaches have struggled in a second cycle. Bruce Arena led the team to a quarterfinal appearance in 2002 but failed to advance past the group stage in 2006. Bob Bradley’s team reached the second round in 2010, earning him a four-year contract extension, but he was fired 11 months later after a loss to Mexico in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final. Jurgen Klinsmann replaced him and led the team to the 2014 World Cup’s second round but was fired after poor results in the 2018 qualifiers. Arena returned but failed to qualify for the World Cup after a loss to Trinidad and Tobago.
The new coach will inherit players such as Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Tyler Adams, who have thrived in European clubs, while goalkeepers Matt Turner and Ethan Horvath and Reyna have struggled for playing time with first-tier teams.
