US men’s soccer coach Gregg Berhalter was fired after a poor performance at the Copa America

Gregg Berhalter was fired 10 months into his second stint as U.S. men’s soccer coach, leaving the Americans searching for a leader less than two years before they host the World Cup.

Berhalter was fired on Wednesday, nine days after the team’s first-round exit from the Copa America raised doubts about whether he was the right man to remain in charge.

“The Copa America result was disappointing and I take full responsibility for our performance,” Berhalter said in a statement. “Our approach and process is always focused on the 2026 World Cup and I am confident that this group will be one of the great stories in 2026.”

After opening the Copa America with a 2-0 win over Bolivia, the US lost to Panama 2-1 while playing most of the match on short notice as Tim Weah was sent off, then lost in a 2-1 loss to Uruguay. The USA got seven wins, six losses and one draw in the second half, leaving their overall record at 44 wins, 17 losses and 13 draws.

When Berhalter returned to the bench last September, he announced the team’s goal was to “change soccer in America forever.” If it had happened, it would have been without him.

Athletic director Matt Crocker rehired Berhalter and will also make recommendations on his replacement. The team next plays in September friendlies against Canada and New Zealand.

USSF spokesman Neil Buethe would not make Crocker available to answer questions from The Associated Press.

“Our immediate focus is to find a coach who can maximize our potential as we continue to prepare for the 2026 World Cup, and we have begun the search process,” Crocker said in a statement.

USSF President Cindy Parlow Cone also issued a statement. He did not immediately respond to a text message seeking additional comment.

Jürgen Klopp, Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Marcelo Bielsa are among the alleged candidates to replace Berhalter, along with Jesse Marsch, Hugo Pérez, Pellegrino Matarazzo, David Wagner, Steve Cherundolo, Jim Curtain, Massimiliano Allegri and Mauricio Pochettino.

Salary can be an issue.

Berhalter earned more than $2.29 million in 2022, including a $900,000 bonus for America qualifying for the World Cup and reaching the second round. A top-level men’s coach could put pressure on the USSF to increase the salary of newly hired women’s coach Emma Hayes.

Only 23 months remain before the World Cup comes to the United States for the second time and the Americans play the opener in Inglewood, California, on June 12, 2026. The only competitive match with a full pool of players before that will be in the CONCACAF Nations League.

Berhalter, who turns 51 on August 1, became the first American to coach the national team after playing for the team in the World Cup. He was hired as the USA coach in December 2018 after serving with Sweden’s Hammarby (2011-13) and Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew (2013-18).

“I want to thank the U.S. Soccer Federation for trusting me to lead this team for the past five years,” Berhalter said. “Representing our country is an incredible honor and I’m proud of the identity we’ve built on and off the field. It’s great to see this team improve over the years and I remain grateful for the lifelong bonds we’ve made with our players , coaches and staff members.”

He led the USA to titles in the CONCACAF Nations League in 2021 and 2024, and another with the B team in the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2021. The players strongly support Berhalter, saying that he developed a culture that binds the group.

That support prompted Crocker to rehire Berhalter 5 1/2 months after his initial contract expired amid the investigation. from allegations of domestic violence dating back decades which was brought to the USSF’s attention by Reyna’s family, upset that Berhalter had limited Gio Reyna’s World Cup playing time. A law firm retained by the USSF said there are no legal obstacles to bringing back Berhalter.

Berhalter’s detractors point to a lack of success against teams outside the region and struggles on the road against Central American rivals. The USA earned an automatic World Cup finals berth in the region on goal difference, and became the second youngest team at the 2022 tournament in Qatar. The USA threw away a second-round lead in a 1-1 draw with Wales, tied England 0-0 and beat Iran 1-0 to reach the knockout stage, where the Americans played well in a 3-1 loss to the Netherlands.

Players have also lacked discipline: Defender Sergiño Dest received a red card last November in Trinidad and Tobago for arguing with the referee and Weah was sent off in the Panama match for headbutting an opponent.

“Gregg has earned the respect of everyone in our organization and has been instrumental in bringing our young team together and moving the program forward,” Crocker said in the statement.

The US coach has not been good in the second cycle.

Bruce Arena led the team to the quarter-finals in 2002, their best since 1930, then failed to qualify for the group stage in 2006.

Bob Bradley’s team reached the second round in 2010, earning a four-year contract extension only for the USSF to fire him 11 months later after the Americans blew a two-goal lead and lost to Mexico in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final.

Jurgen Klinsmann replaced him and led the team to the second round of the 2014 World Cup, before being sacked after opening the 2018 qualifying finals with a 2-1 defeat at home to Mexico and a 4-0 defeat in Costa Rica. Arena returned and the USA lost to Trinidad and Tobago on the final day of qualifying, ending seven straight appearances at the World Cup.

While the new coach inherited players such as Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams who have developed with European clubs, goalkeepers Matt Turner and Ethan Horvath and Reyna have failed to get playing time with the first-tier team.