Gregg Berhalter has been dismissed as the coach of the U.S. men’s national soccer team after an underwhelming performance in the Copa America.
The U.S. Soccer Federation announced the decision on Wednesday following the team’s disappointing exit during the group stage of the tournament held in the United States.
“We are now focused on collaborating with our Sporting Director Matt Crocker, leveraging his high-level experience to ensure we find the right person to lead the USMNT into a new era of on-field success,” stated U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone in the announcement regarding Berhalter’s departure.
The U.S. team started their Copa America campaign last month with a 2-0 win against Bolivia in the competition, which includes teams from South America, Central America, North America, and the Caribbean.
Expectations were high, with many experts predicting the U.S. team to advance from Group C. However, a 2-1 loss to Panama on June 27 significantly hindered their chances. The match was plagued by a red card for Tim Weah, who was sent off for throwing a punch at a Panamanian player, leaving the U.S. one man down just 18 minutes into the game. Panama secured their win with a goal from José Fajardo in the 83rd minute.
The U.S. team’s journey ended with a 1-0 loss to Uruguay, a formidable South American team and 15-time Copa America champion, on July 1.
This tournament was seen as the last opportunity for the U.S. to face strong international competition in official games before the 2026 World Cup, which the country will co-host with Mexico and Canada. The early exit was viewed as a setback, especially following their performance in the 2022 World Cup under Berhalter’s leadership.
Berhalter, 50, had been the first American to coach the national team after playing for it in a World Cup. He was appointed in December 2018 after managing Sweden’s Hammarby (2011-13) and Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew (2013-18).
His tenure involved leading a generation of young American soccer talent, including players like Tim Weah, Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, and Antonee Robinson, all of whom play regularly for European clubs. Berhalter guided the U.S. to two CONCACAF Nations League titles and a 2021 Gold Cup victory.
In the 2022 World Cup, the U.S. emerged from a group that included England, Wales, and Iran, but were eliminated in the round of 16 by the Netherlands with a 3-1 defeat.
Despite the team’s World Cup exit, Berhalter received strong public support from some players who praised his ability to foster team unity. This support led to his rehiring five months after his initial contract ended, with an investigation into an old domestic violence incident involving Berhalter concluding it was an isolated event and posed no legal risk in rehiring him.
Sporting Director Matt Crocker mentioned that the team’s recent performance in Copa America “fell short of our expectations.”
With less than two years before the World Cup returns to American soil for the second time, the federation is keen to find a new coach. The opening match is scheduled for June 12, 2026, in Inglewood, California.
“Our immediate focus is on finding a coach who can maximize our potential as we prepare for the 2026 World Cup, and we have already started our search process,” Crocker said following Berhalter’s departure announcement.