The U.S. Soccer Federation is set to make a crucial decision regarding the future of United States men's national team manager Gregg Berhalter by the middle of next week. This decision comes after the USMNT's disappointing exit from the group stage of the 2024 Copa América, culminating in a 1-0 loss to Uruguay. The team's journey in the tournament included a 2-0 victory over Bolívia and a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Panama.
Following the team's failure to progress in the Copa América, U.S. Soccer's sporting director Matt Crocker announced plans for a comprehensive review of the team's performance in the tournament. The focus will be on identifying areas for improvement as the team looks ahead to the 2026 World Cup.
This timeline mirrors the process that followed the U.S. women's national team's exit from the 2023 Women's World Cup, where then-USWNT manager Vlatko Andonovski resigned 11 days after the team's elimination in the round of 16.
The decision on Berhalter's future will be made by a group that includes USSF president Cindy Parlow Cone, CEO JT Batson, VP of sporting Oguchi Onyewu, and Crocker. Sources suggest that support for Berhalter within the USSF Board of Directors is waning, with a more negative sentiment towards him than ever before.
Berhalter, who took over as manager in December 2018, successfully guided the USMNT to qualification for the 2022 World Cup after the team's failure to qualify for the 2018 edition. The team reached the knockout stages of the World Cup, eventually losing to the Netherlands in the round of 16.
His contract was not renewed following the disclosure of a past domestic violence incident involving his wife, which was brought to light by the parents of U.S. international Gio Reyna. An investigation largely supported Berhalter's account of the incident, leading to his reinstatement in June 2023.
Since his return, the USMNT's performances have been inconsistent, including struggles in the Concacaf Nations League against Jamaica and a heavy 5-1 friendly defeat to Colombia.
