U.S. Men’s National Team Firing of Coach Gregg Berhalter: Justified Decision or Missed Opportunity?

U.S. Men’s National Team Fires Coach Gregg Berhalter After Disappointing Copa America Exit

The U.S. men’s national team has made the difficult decision to fire coach Gregg Berhalter following their group stage exit from the Copa America. The tournament did not go as planned for the USMNT, who had hoped for a deep run but instead suffered defeats, including an unexpected loss to Panama.

Berhalter’s second stint as head coach saw the team struggle to make the necessary improvements, with performances falling short of expectations. Despite the promising talent in the player pool, the USMNT failed to show significant progress under Berhalter’s leadership, leading to his dismissal.

The blame does not solely lie on Berhalter, as the U.S. Soccer Federation also faces scrutiny for re-hiring him last year. The decision to bring Berhalter back was met with skepticism, and the disappointing results of the past year have raised questions about the federation’s recruitment process.

With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, the USMNT must quickly find a new coach who can elevate the team and address the issues that have hindered their performance. While the search for a replacement has begun, it is clear that U.S. Soccer must make a choice that raises few questions and sets the team on a path towards success in the upcoming tournament.

As the USMNT looks to turn things around and fulfill their potential, the pressure is on the federation to make the right decisions and ensure that the team is ready to compete at the highest level in 2026.