Two years before the home World Cup: USA parted ways with coach Berhalter

It was over two years before the home World Cup: Greg Berhalter.
IMAGO/Icon Sportswire

Almost exactly a year ago, Gregg Berhalter was officially considered a big hope in the U.S. Soccer Association considering the 2026 home World Cup. But now there is a separation. Days after the initial round exit from the Copa America in the United States, which concludes Sunday with the final between Colombia and defending champions Argentina, the association announced that the national coach had been relieved of his duties with immediate effect. .

Despite an opening win in Group C, criticism of Berhalter was quick to surface after the US allowed Uruguay and Panama to go on top in Copa, although this was not mentioned in the official press release. “I want to thank Greg for his hard work and dedication to U.S. Soccer and our men's national team,” President Cindy Barlow Kohn Berhalter said with kind words.

Now sporting director Matt Crocker is tasked with finding a successor two years before the World Cup. “Our immediate focus is to find a coach who can maximize our potential as we prepare for the 2026 World Cup, and we have already begun our search,” Crocker said. “Greg has earned the respect of everyone in our company.”

Berhalter only returned to office in August 2023

Berhalder, who played professionally at Energy Codebus and 1860 Munich, became national coach for the first time in December 2018, won the Gold Cup in 2021 and led Christian Pulisic & Co to the Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup. Cup in Qatar. After that, his contract was initially not extended, while allegations from the past were made.

However, the now 50-year-old returned to the post on August 1. At the time, Crocker was still convinced that “Greg was the right person for the job.” And now Berhalter is finally leaving the association — with a record 44 wins in 74 games.