LOOKING FORWARD
U.S. Soccer did the right thing in sacking Berhalter, but now must get his successor right or face dire consequences down the road
Gregg Berhalter is looking for a new job today, while U.S. Soccer is looking for a new men’s national coach. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports)
By Michael Lewis
As I wrote on FrontRowSoccer.com earlier today, the other shoe dropped on Wednesday.
That would be the shoe that gave U.S. men's national team head coach Gregg Berhalter the boot.
Ten days after the USA's awful and embarrassing exit from Copa America, U.S. Soccer sacked Berhalter.
It was the correct decision, given that the Americans lost and eliminated on U.S. soil not being able to get out of the group stage. That is a non-no when a country hosts any big-time international competition.
And with the USA hosting the 2026 World Cup with Mexico and Canada, that cannot be repeated in less than two years’ time.
So much is at stake. The World Cup is supposed to grow the sport in this country, sort of a booster shot to what USA 94 did three decades ago (my lord, has it been 30 years since that World Cup?).
U.S. Soccer cannot afford another disaster with so much riding on the line.
Perhaps one reason why the federation took its time to make and announce its decision was because it wanted to do a thorough job on what Berhalter accomplished and didn't, and maybe understand what a financial hit it would take to jettison one coach and bring in another.
At this juncture, U.S. Soccer cannot afford to bring in any coach.
It will need to hire someone of stature.
You have heard the names that have been bandied about, but I'll share some of them with you:
Jurgen Klopp
The German of Liverpool fame. He tops many a list (media, fans and pundits). He certainly won't come cheaply. Perhaps the federation can find a sponsor or a potential one that is willing to invest some big bucks to secure Klopp. That is, if he wants to come to this country.
Steve Cherundolo
With all respect to the Los Angeles FC head coach, I just don't think hiring him at this juncture would do the trick. I would like to see him get more coaching experience. Don't get me wrong. He has done a marvelous job in LA, winning an MLS Cup and a Supporters' Shield. Besides, leaving the team in the middle of a season in which LAFC could be dancing around with the biggest trophy in MLS come December, could be devastating to the team.
Thierry Henry
No doubt the former French international and 1998 World Cup winner knows his stuff, and we'll see how he will fare when the French host the Olympic men's soccer tournament later this month. When he played with the New York Red Bulls from 2010-14, Henry was surly to the media (and that might be putting it mildly), and he was just a player. Unless he has changed (I doubt it), I think he would be like Godzilla with the media, not necessarily what the U.S. Soccer Federation would want when it wants to publicize the game.
Jesse Marsch
The former Red Bulls head coach, who directed Canada into the Copa America semifinals, would be an intriguing fit. He was an assistant to Bob Bradley when he directed the USMNT. Marsch did apply for the U.S. job in 2023, but the federation elected to go back to Berhalter. Would it be a sign of weakness and admitting a mistake if the USSF hired Marsch now? In May, he told CBS Sports Golazo Network in its "Call It What You Want" podcast: “I wasn’t treated very well in the process." Besides, Marsch might like the challenge of coaching Canada at the World Cup. He's got some coaching capital after Copa.
Marcelo Bielsa
A great soccer mind, who knows the game inside and out. But there is a problem or two. Bielsa doesn't speak any English, which is not exactly what the federation would want leading up to and during the world's greatest sporting event. And besides, Bielsa is more than a little eccentric, although there is nothing wrong about that (remember Bora Milutinovic?). He has a history of not looking the questioner into his or her eyes. I should know. At the 2004 Athens Olympics, I asked him a question or two during a press conference, and he never looked my way. I wasn't insulted. I had heard about his reputation. Besides, I'm not that ugly that people have to look away, am I?
Thomas Tuchel
Ah no. Please, please keep him away from Christian Pulisic. I thought he underused Pulisic at Chelsea and who knows what he would do today? Hopefully, he learned from that debacle. Let him coach another club team.
Jim Curtin
A good coach whose team (Philadelphia Union) is having a poor season. This is not the time. Perhaps someday as the USMNT head coach. Personally, I like Curtin. When I interviewed him or asked him a question, he rarely went sideways. Now, that is not the reason why you should hire a coach. But his honesty was a breath of fresh air compared to some of the BS I have heard over the years.
Hugo Perez
The former U.S. international, one of the best players this country has produced, directed El Salvador from 2021-23. Given the team's track record under Perez, not having won any competitions of consequence, I don't think he would be a viable candidate for the job. And I am not certain the USSF would hire Perez because he has been critical of the organization in the past.
Pellegrino Matarazzo
Perhaps another coach to be considered down the road. The Fair Lawn, N.J. native played at Columbia University and has forged a career overseas. He guided Hoffenheim to a seventh-place finish in the Bundesliga this past season, while earning a Europa League berth. Not too shabby, but like I said, not yet.
David Wagner
A former U.S. international (eight appearances), Wagner has called the shots for three clubs in as many countries - Schalke (Germany), Young Boys (Switzerland) and Norwich City (England). The latter is U.S. striker Josh Sargent's team. Wagner, however, was axed by the Canaries after the team failed in its promotion quest in May.
With the next set of friendlies not until September, the USSF doesn't have to hire someone right away.
The federation has to do some due diligence to make sure they bring in the right man.
The 2026 World Cup is only two years away.
As I said before, the U.S. cannot afford another early exit or a disaster, especially with the whole world watching.