Less than 24 hours after The Athletic’s Paul Tenorio and Pablo Maurer broke news regarding the future of the open United States Men’s National Team head coaching position, the US Soccer Federation announced Gregg Berhalter was returning.
News of Berhalter’s return to the USMNT broke as players entered the locker room at halftime in last night’s 3-0 victory over Mexico in the Concacaf Nations League semifinal.
Berhalter’s contract with the Federation expired following the 2022 World Cup, which saw the United States advance out of the Group Stage and exit in the Round of 16 following a 3-1 loss to the Netherlands.
The Blazing Musket is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Drama unraveled as the calendar flipped to 2023 as the United States launched an investigation into an altercation revolving around Gregg Berhalter’s actions in 1991 on January 3rd. Following a three-month investigation, the independent investigation found no fault in the US’ hiring of Berhalter. Despite his acquittal, the head coaching position remained open as Anthony Hudson and B.J. Callaghan led the team through international friendly and Concacad action.
Newly hired Sporting Director Matt Crocker said his focus was on “finding someone with the right vision to take this program to new heights in 2026.” Crocker praised Berhalter by saying, “Gregg has that vision, as well as the experience and growth mindset on and off the field to move this team forward. Appointing the right head coach for a National Team is a crucial decision that reflects U.S. Soccer’s identity and lays the foundation to grow soccer across the country…Gregg is the right person for the job.”
Berhalter said he’s “grateful to have the opportunity to build on our achievements at the World Cup and to contribute to this exciting time for soccer in our country. The entire group of players and staff have worked incredibly hard to establish our identity on and off the field. We look forward to continuing our journey together to make our fans and our nation proud.”
Berhalter’s return to the sideline will have to wait a little as interim head coach B.J. Callaghan will guide the US through the Concacaf Nations League and the Gold Cup later this month and into July.
While many have questioned Berhalter’s time with the US, the stats show he hasn’t been the worst. Gregg rejoins the US staff holding a 37-11-12 (.717) record, the best winning percentage in USMNT history. Berhalter also has a .750 winning percentage in official competition play. Most impressively, Berhalter led the US to 17 wins in 2021, the most in a calendar year.
