Commentary
World Cup 2026 success and the limitations of the next USMNT coach
- by Paul Kennedy @pkedit, Dec 8, 2022
A report by ESPN's Jeff Carlisle about U.S. national team Gregg Berhalter on Wednesday set off new hysteria on the little world of soccer Twitter:
"USMNT boss Gregg Berhalter weighs up Europe move amid new contract talk - sources."
The part about new contract talks is what got people going.
I'd started by asking, would anyone in Berhalter's position do anything differently? The same for his federation bosses. Feel each other out? See what the market bears?
Do I think Berhalter did a good job over the last four years of rebuilding the USMNT program?
He'll probably never get enough credit for building a strong culture within the team and guiding his young players through the early parts of their careers until long after he leaves. Probably the only more underappreciated coach in the history of the men's national team is Lothar Osiander and what he did in 1986-88.
Did the USMNT meet expectations at the 2022 World Cup? Yes, by any reasonable standard, it did just fine.
But those expectations will ramp up wildly for 2026 when the USA is co-host. At a minimum, quarterfinal or bust.
Should Berhalter be the coach to take the USA to the 2026 World Cup?
I'd say two things:
1. As much as Berhalter has laid the groundwork for what comes next with the USMNT, he should move on. He was a member of the 2002 and 2006 World Cup teams and should know as well as anyone the difficulties U.S. head coaches have had in their second cycles. That camaraderie and bond — his players call it a "brotherhood" — Berhalter worked so hard to foster only lasts so long in the same way.
2. Pick anyone to succeed Berhalter -- any big-name club coach like Pep Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp or a national team coach like Joachim Loew or Didier Deschamps, who both won World Cup titles in their second cycles with their teams -- and there's no guarantee that the new coach will do any better than him in 2026.
I'd go further and say most of what will impact the USA's success the next time around will be beyond the control of the national team coach.
First and foremost, it will be how the core of stars do in Europe.
It cannot be overstated how important was the big-game experience of the players Berhalter started in the deciding group stage match against Iran — nine players on clubs in big five European leagues and six with Champions League experience.
The next World Cup will come quickly — it's almost only three and a half years away. What that means is the decisions Christian Pulisic and his U.S. teammates getting renewed attention on the transfer market make now about their next moves will be huge because in most cases they will take them right up to 2026.
One thing Berhalter or his successor will have to come to terms with is the current limitation of the U.S. player pool. Are there any young dominating center backs with great ball skills out there right now? Or as Berhalter pointed out and was mercilessly pillared for misstating his background, a goalscorer like Memphis Depay? What you see is what you get in terms of players just breaking into MLS teams or starting out in Europe.
What can be done, though, is accelerate both their international experience and showcase their talent for the player market is make sure every available player is released for the 2023 Under-20 World Cup and 2024 Olympics.
Probably the most important single U.S. national team experience of the last five years in the run-up to Qatar 2022 was Tab Ramos' 2019 U.S. U-20 World Cup quarterfinal team that produced two 2022 World Cup starters — Sergino Dest and Tim Weah — and might have produced a third if Chris Richards had not been hurt. Dest went from the U-20s to breaking into the Ajax starting lineup in preseason camp a month later and soon committed to the USA. Weah made it a point to play for the U-20s, and he soon made a $10 million move from PSG to Lille.
The U.S. men's national team program has been presented with a unique opportunity of knowing now it has qualified teams for the 2023 Under-20 World Cup and 2024 Olympics. There's no guarantee that clubs will accede to the federation's requests to release players, but building for the 2026 World Cup is a mighty incentive to send the best Olympic men's soccer team ever assembled to Paris in 2024.
Photo: Chris Brunsklil/ISI Photos
I cannot believe the USSF is even considering this! I saw the headline about contract negotiations, and I felt like Michael when he found out Toby was back from Costa Rica.
His roster selections and lineups were suspect. He didn’t adjust before and within each match at the proper moments. His subs were questionable, at best. We need a top-notch manager for the next cycle that deserves the position not based on nepotism, the quality of their behind-the-back bounce passes, or what Jordan’s they wear. I am just done with him, along with many other US fans. The current pool of players and ones coming through the pipeline deserve better.
You served a purpose, Gregg. Leave your keys, turn off the lights, and walk away. Don't let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya. Good night and God bless.
Same old noise and lies from the crowd trying to hurt American Soccer. Two moguls want to make European soccer dominant in America, are suing US Soccer, and it appears are spreading this constant set of anti-US Soccer talking points. This person just buys in to that anti-American rhetoric 100%.
I'd like to see improvement in our USMNT. Berhalter may, or may not, be the best way forward. But this poster doesn't know soccer and doesn't support American soccer.
Donald; Links to these 2 Moguls.???
Look up Rocco Commisso and look up Relevent Sports.
ANd learn some facts. Berhalter's brother was not a part of the coach hiring process. Completely uninvolved. If you don't like GGG as our coach then you have only Dutchman Ernie Stewart to blame -- not nepotism. And recognize that Berhalter's brother has no role with Stewart or the technical side of US Soccer. The nepotism charge is vapid and erroneous.
I would have preferred a different coach that a young Berhalter. I like older coaches for our USMNT. But I can at least be fair and objective.
Donald, where do you get your information about USSF? My understanding is that the chief commercial officer was on the board of directors. He is back now as the executive VP, but I guess you will say he will have nothing to do with the rehiring of his brother either.
Had to Research that one Bob....
Turns out Jay B. Is NOW ExVP of MLS.!!!
Now we know why so many "Useless" MLS Players were Chosen.!!!
JayB. was Not involved in the Direct Hiring of his Brother Ggg,
Jay B. WAS involved in the Hiring of the Man who Hired Ggg...
Ernie Stewart.!?!?!?... My, My...
"What a Tangled Web We Weave, When we try to Decieve"
Just Coincidences... Nothing to See here...
"Gambling" in Casablanca.!?!?!?... I'm Shocked.!!! ;)
"These are Not the Droids you are Looking For".!!!
Jedi Mind Tricks, I Tell you.!!!
Don, at least R&R are American Moguls, out Trying to make a Buck on the ICC and LaLiga ...
Hopefully they can bring back The COSMOS.!!!
Flabbergasted that bringing him back is even a thought. Costa Rica scored as many goals in 3 games as the US in 4. The mess it the attacking end & on dead balls is a coaching issue. As Frank states, there are few that fit the quality of Lewandowski or Harland. The way the modern game is played more opportunities fall to midfielders than # 9's. Sargent did a good job for the minutes he had in Qatar. Bring in a coach that has some creativity in the attacking third. PLEASE!
Amen
If Ggg is Brought Back... I will be Done with US Soccer... Maybe Posting in General....
I quit Political Posting Threads after the Last Presidential Election; because the "Talking Heads"(Rush, Hannity, Levine, etc..etc .. ) said, that if Trump Lost, "The Country is Finished"... And they are Correct....
The Country is on a Suicidal Spiral to "The Fall of The Roman Empire" (Just Witness that as Bad as Things are in the Country, The Republicans could only Barely Win the House, Lost the Senate.!!!)
At Least the USMNT was Rediscovering the "Spirit of '76"(Witness that ALL PLAYERS, Stood with their Hands over their Hearts during the Playing of The National Anthem)
The Talent was there for Soooooo Much More than this "Gumby" lncompetent, Inept, In-Bred, Nepotistic Coach.
I made the Mistake Last Time, of saying that JK should stay as Coach, after taking the Team to the 2nd Round...
Well; "Fool me Once, Shame on You... FOOL ME TWICE, SHAME ON ME.!!!"
Therefore if Ggg is IN, I'M OUT.!!!
I am now, at this moment, 100% behind Berhalter so we can once and for all get rid Santiago 1314's inane comments.
Well Donald, You just Validated my Point:
WOKE People, like yourself, are in Favor(Vote) for Ineptitude, Corruption(Nepotism), Deciet and Decline in our Soccer(Country).
They would "Cut-Off Their Nose to Spite their Face".
Just because they don't LIKE a Person, Regardless the Consequences.
Hey Don, you still in Favor of keeping Ggg, after he Threw Gio Under the Bus.???
Talking about "Internal Team" Locker Room stuff in an Open Conference.!?!?!?
Just to be Clear;
Santiago 1314 replied, December 5, 2022 at 9:51 p.m.
Yes Phillip,
Ggg had a CF; that was on a Hot Steak in Holland, and had Saved his Job in Honduras and Jamaica ... If Ggg was so "Bent" on Players that had Familiarity with the Opponent, and had Looked at the Brackets, it was a 50/50 chance(70/30 once Mane went out) that USA would be playing Holland in the Round of 16.... What a Jack A$$ and Back Stabber as a Coach... No way he can Stay, as he Omitted, For No Reason, 9 players that will be in the Next Pool...
Tillman, Pepi, EPB, McKenZIE, Mihalovic, Slonina, Steffen, Hoppe, Trusty,
For the likes of "Oldies" that won't be in Next Pool, and Didn't have any POSITIVE IMPACT(or Playing Time) in this World Cup.
Long, Roldan, Johnson, ... Morris, Moore, Yedlin, Acosta.
Throw In the way he "Burned" players on the Bench, Like;
Reyna, Scally, Horvath, Aaronson, Jesus, LDLT(How can LDLT, NOT Make the Field versus Holland.!?!?!?)
I mean; Which players Really want to Play for Him.???
Throw in the way he "Burned" his Favorites like;
Zardes, Arriola, Letget, Yueill, ( not to say that they Belonged, but, the way Ggg DisHonestly led them On)
And then there is Brooks; When the Team needed a CB/Sweeper to bring the Ball Upfield on the Dribble to Create 2v1 against Dutch Man-To-Man in the Midfield, We had Zimmerman and Ream stuck On The Ball, and Trapped into Passing Lanes that LVG had Set-Up for the Steal.
Ggg is Incapable of Coaching at this Level, and Worse, he is Incapable of Player Management and Selection at this Level.
Who can Believe a Word He says.!?!?!?
And More;
Santiago 1314 replied, December 7, 2022 at 2:46 p.m.
You are Spot on Charles;
One thing I would say about Yedlin,(I have always been a Fan of his)
Wouldn't it have been better to give the Minutes he Played; to Scally.???
Yedlin didn't Hurt us, and even had the Hockey Assist for the Haji Goal.!
But think of all the LOST Development Time accrued in just this World Cup,(Not to mention in 4 years of Qualifiers and Practice Games)
Acosta >>> LDLT(Cardosa-Busio)
Ream >>> EPB
Zimmermann >>> CCV
Morris >>> Tillman
Long >>> McKenZIE
Johnson >>> Slonina (Steffen)
Roldan >>> Pepi
Moore >>> ANYBODY.!!!
9 WASTED SPOTS.!!!
All that Training Time Lost.!
All that Bench Time Lost.!!
All that Video Review Analysis Lost.!!!
All the "Brotherhood" Time Lost on the Training Field, Hotel, Bus, Bench, Locker Room, Eating together, "Wenching" together...
The Lost Experience of Getting Eliminated from the World Cup, and Watching the other Team Celebrating... (I always read an Article about Some Losing Team the in Finals, that comes back to win the Championship the Next Year, and they alway remark on how they Sat in the Dugout or Crouched on the Field as the other team got the Trophy, and Said; "NEXT YEAR WE ARE NOT FALLING SHORT.!!!")
ALL REASONS THAT GGG SHOULD NOT BE RETAINED
Preach Santi
With the job Tab Ramos has done with some of these players in the age groups, perhaps he should receive some consideration. He has experience in the American coaching culture, and his USMNT resume is as stong as there is when paired with that playing experience.
My Preverence is for a Coach with at Least a WC Semi-Final Experience.
I think that at the Bear Minimum The Team should make it that far.
If we are Forced to Pick an American, then Hugo would probably be my Next Choice.
Senior National Team Coaching Experience(even if it is only El Salvador)....
Well Versed in Recruiting Dual Nationals...
UnQuestionable Playing ability in his day...(These Young Studs of ours are going to need someone they can Respect)
As the Home Team, I expect us to be on "The Front Foot" against BUNKER and Counter Teams.
We will need someone who can Develop the Necessary Patterns of Play to Break down the Bus, infront of the Opponents Goal.
I could have gone with Tab, but, His only PRO Senior Coaching Experience was at the Dynamo,
and that was a Disaster(Probably Not really his Fault, But.!?!?!?)
I think the Team is Probably beyond, or at least we Hope it will be Beyond, the "Balls-to-The-Walls" Peter Vermes approach.(Man, what would have this Last Window have looked like with Peter in Charge of the Youngsters.!!!)(Pretty much the same analysis for Marsch)
I wonder about Dalic and his Command of English...Amazing job for such a Small Country.
Low would be about the Best of this List. Then Martinez.(Though it seems like he UnderAcheived with Belgium)
Van Gaal.??? Too Old, to Coach, but maybe with the Right Support Staff, a Good "Manager"
Deschamps.??? Seems more about the Players than the Coach.
Southgate... Ggg 2.o
2018
France-Deschamps
Croatia-Dalic
Belgium-Martinez
England-Southgate
2014
Germany-Low
Argentina-Sabella
Holland-Van Gaal
Brazil-Scolari
2010
Spain-Del Bosque
Holland-Van Marwijk
Uruguay-Tabarez
Germany-Low
2022 Still to be Determined.
Brazil-Tite
Croatia-Dalic
France-Deschamps
England-Southgate
Argentina-Scaloni
Holland-Van Gaal
Portugal-Santos
Morocco-Regragui
Kennedy makes some very good points. From GB's perspective, if he has good offers (and I'll bet he does), he should probably take them. The bar will be much higher next time around, and there are an inordinate number of people who already hate him and will lose their minds if he's reinstated.
From the team's perspective, I think GB has done a lot to develope a strong base for a run in 2026. He has built a good team culture and has given opportunities to a lot of people, so the pool is large (and getting larger). I think GB will benefit (as much as his players) from his experience at this WC. And the next one is coming sooner that we think (as PK pointed out) because of the odd scheduling. I don't know if a longer relationship with the team will inevitably cause problems or not; I could see that going both ways. From the team's perspective, I think it's a tough call.
Kent, "Good Team Culture".???
I wonder if the u25s on the Team Liked being "Babysat" and have their Hands Held by the 9 Over-25s that Shouldn't have been on the Roster and will NO WAY be on the 2026 Roster.. 3 of which where Totaly UNUSABLE and 4 that Shouldn't have been Used and 2 that Were there by "Luck" ...I'll bet the u25s would have Preferred to have some other Energetic Youngsters like themselves instead of being Treated like "Bed Wetters"
These 3 were UNUSABLE;
1. Johnson (Slonina or Steffen could have used the Experience. It is NOW Wasted on Johnson)
2. Aaron Long(Sands Could have sat the Bench as Well as Long, and NOW that Experience is Wasted.)
3. Roldan(Pepi would have been Better Player and gotten Experience, that is NOW Wasted)
For the FEW Minutes that these Next 4 Players Played, it was NOT worth the Loss of Developmental and Experience Time that other u25s could have gotten.
4. Moore(Probably should have been Cannon, But he Ate up and Wasted Scally Developmental Time)
5. Yedlin(Ate up More of Scally's Minutes. Would have brought Bello, to be Back Up to Wingback/Lt Forward Jedi.)
6. Acosta(Hardly Played, his Time could have better been given to Cardoso. Good enough to Play in D1 Brazil, but NOT for USMNT.???... Developmental and Experience time WASTED)
7. Morris(Should have been Tillman. Lot of time went into Recruiting him, Tranferreing him to team to Play on, and then NOT Pick him.!?!?!?.... No Bueno)
These 2 got LUCKY...
8. Zimmermann(Was OUT of the Team "Forever" last OCT. until Brooks pulled out...Should have been McKenZIE)
9. Ream(Was OUT of the Team "Forever" until Richards got Hurt...Should have been EPB)
In the Final Analysis; NOT ONE OF THESE 9 PLAYERS HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THIS WORLD CUP... Some Held there Own, for the Few Minutes they Played...Some were a Disaster... Some didn't see the Pitch.... But, I don't think anyone can make a Case that they were Difference Makers and Deserved to be there ahead of Younger Players for the Current and Future Squad.
Santi, only exception for me (and a big one) from the players listed is that Ream was absolutely critical to getting out of the group. Thank god GGG came to his senses just in time to select at least ONE CB who is anywhere near WC-level on the ball (CCV close but can't be relied upon aside a partner who is useless on the ball).
But your main point couldn't be more correct: GGG is guilty of wasting the opportunity over the entire cycle to A) get the best guys on the field to maximize chemistry of the top 12-13 outfield players and their ability to develop patterns together and B) maximize experience and and development of the youngest pups likely to contribute next cycle by INVESTING in them (Gio - truly in group A, Scally, young CBs, Luca, etc).
Seth; I was "Fooled" like you were...
A 20,000 ft View and I would Agree with you about Ream;
But, upon Deeper Analysis and Video Review, this is what I Came by to;
Santiago 1314 replied, December 6, 2022 at 9:54 a.m.
So, we come back to this; "Peter Principle" You Rise to the Level of your Incompetence.
Tim Ream;
I should have Stuck with my Original Assessment
"Santiago 1314 replied, November 9, 2022 at 11:22 p.m.
if Ream plays; WE Lose.!!!!"
His Third BIG Mistake was "The Charmer",
Let's Review the 1st Two:
"Santiago 1314 replied, December 1, 2022 at 1:31 a.m.
Correct you are MinB;
Amazingly enough... Ream has only made 2 Mistakes....
The YC he got for Adams,
And when he didn't get Outside to Cover for Jedi when the Ball got Thrown over his Head for the Cross that led to the Zimmerman PK play in the Wales game.
Kudos to Ggg for seeing the Problem and going with a 3rd CenterBack and playing a 5-4-1 to Close Out the Game, Instead of 4-4-2.
Ream knows that he gets Exposed out Wide and with only 1 CB partner, he was Afraid to go outside and help on the Quick Throw In...by Inserting Zimmermann at Sweeper, Ream was Pushed Out Further Left, but Not Exposed, because Jedi was TOLD to Stay Home."
Cont:
This YC for Adams occurrs at Minute 42 vs Iran, When Ream gets Caught 30 yards over the Half-Way Line, Misses the Ball and the Tackle/Foul and Adams had to chase from behind and Take down the Eye-Ranian Player.
The 3rd and Crucial mistake occurs at minute 8:12 Holland game..Ream gets Sucked into playing a Pass Across the Midfield to Dest, which Blind was Sitting there, waiting for it... UN-FORCED ERROR ... USA Never got the Ball back, until we Picked it up out of the Back of the Net at 9:40.
In the middle of that... We have Frank deJong dribbling circles around, Toying with, Jesus; in his own Penalty Area 8:55-9:03(I think Previous USA players would have known how to Deal with that.!!!!. Right AnklBrkr.???)
In that Build-Up to their Goal, we Tried to Press even when they Switched across the Back... GegenPress=Get the Ball in 6 seconds or FOUL... We did Neither... As the Press got Broken; there was One Last Chance to Kill the Play...
Depay Checked back into his own Half near their Center Circle, Adams had him All Lined-Up to Foul, but HE DIDN'T.!!!... WHY.??? Because it would have been a Yellow Card... His 2nd, and he would have Missed the Next Game versus Argentina.... THANK YOU TIM REAM.!!!
Later on I Discovered the 4th Ream Fa yuk Up...
The Real Back Breaker in the Holland Game.!!!
Santiago 1314 replied, December 7, 2022 at 2:08 p.m.
Yes Frank, you are Correct...
They Played us Man-to-Man;
Timber Virgil Axe
CP Jesus Weah
Dumfries Deroon Klassen FDJ Blind
Jedi McKenNIE Adams Musah Dest
Gakpo Depay
Ream ZIMM
They did Switch the M-T-M Match-Ups around a little, as we Dropped Adams or McKenNIE to Sweeper Position to try and Distribute the Ball Better. But, it was always M-T-M
Look at 42:40 ... Zimm just Boots a ball out of Bounds, Un-Forced ERROR, because Dest is MENTALLY and PHYSICALLY Gassed from almost Scoring a Goal(43:59) and Not Wide where he Needed to be.!!! (MINIMAL Pressure from Depay)
NO PERSONALITY/NO RESPONIBILTIY/NO SOCCER BRAIN from Zimmermann to either Dribble or Spin Back and Pass to the Gk. Kill the Game off to the Half.
45:00 ... Ream Forces a RIGHT FOOTED 30 yrd Pass into CP Checking Back in the Midfield... Ream was ALL ALONE ... He missed the Pass(Because he is NOT Rt Footed) and Put it Right Past the Outstretched Toe of CP... UN-FORCED ERROR... From The "Wise" Veteran.!!!
Holland took the ball, went down the Field and USA Never saw the Ball again until Picking it out of the Back of the Net at 45:38 . Wasn't even enough time for the kick-off.!!! .... Ream should have been the Leader and Just Knocked the Ball Back to GK, get to Half-Time and Get Re-Organized.
And what was Jesus doing back there Defending on a Throw-In in the Left Defender/Midfielders area.??? He accidently Flicked the Ball INTO THE MIDDLE, right to Klassen who played it to Dummfries, who Centered it to Blind.!!!
Musah was the Culprit,(thanks to Ream)..he was Wandering around in the Middle, instead of Marking Up.
But he was Gassed, because He and Jesus had Interchanged Position... Jesus was Checked back into Midfield and Musah was Pushed Up against Virgil, When REAM gave the Ball away.
Now Musah had to Run Back 60yards, to help and Jesus was already there, so he let Jesus Cover the Throw-In Area. Musah should have Covered His Player and Pushed Jesus back up Front.
So, instead of "Veteran Leadership" and Decision Making, we Got a ROOKIE Mistake from REAM
MISTAKE #4 (Remember what I said; "If Ream PLAYS, WE LOSE.!!!")
Also, CP Should have Taken a YELLOW CARD, on the Turn-Over just next to him... Would have gotten us to Half-Time 1-0... Like you have said....NON-SOCCER BRAINS on USA
And NOW, it comes out from ESPN, (Jeff Carlisle 8:34et) that Reyna was almost sent Home from WC... Was Confronted by
"As a staff, we sat together for hours deliberating what we were going to do with this player. We were ready to book a plane ticket home, that's how extreme it was."..."due to a lack of effort in training and in a pre-tournament scrimmage against Qatari side Al Gharafa SC, sources told ESPN."... "But the other thing we said to him was, you're going to have to apologize to the group, but it's going to have to say why you're apologizing. It's going to have to go deeper than just 'Guys, I'm sorry.' And I prepped the leadership group with this. I said, 'Okay, this guy's going to apologize to you as a group, to the whole team.'"..."What was fantastic in this whole thing is that after he apologized, they stood up one by one and said, 'Listen, it hasn't been good enough, you haven't been meeting our expectations of a teammate and we want to see change,'" Berhalter said during his speech. "They really took ownership of that process. And from that day on there were no issues with this player."
And now we know why Adams was Picked as Captain over Pulisic... He was a "Yes" man for Ggg... CP would have NEVER gotten into a Pissing Match with Reyna... He knows Ggg is a "Dufus"...
Soccer America... Time for some. JOURNALISM.!!!
Who was on this "Leadership Council".??? ...
Guarantee, they are the Over 25s that were Brought IN for "Experience/ Leadership"...
The (9) "RingWraiths"
Actually, they were Ggg ENFORCERS to keep the u25s "Under the Thumb" of Ggg
Oh, it's getting even Better;
Seems that Ggg, on his way back from Qatar, for some UnKnown, IDIOTIC Reason, stopped by something called;
"En route back home after the US was eliminated by the Netherlands, Berhalter spoke at the HOW Institute for Society’s Summit on Moral Leadership in New York on Tuesday."
"(Editor's note, Dec. 11, 8:25pm EST: Berhalter's comments were at a gathering held under the Chatham House Rule and were not meant to be public, but were erroneously greenlit for publication by someone representing the event organizers.)"
"When I took the group over, it was a very young team, and I thought, ‘Okay, I don't think it's fair to put the burden of leadership on one young player who may or may not be prepared for this.’ So we worked with a leadership council where we empowered seven guys on the team to help make decisions with the coaching staff, getting feedback from the players and trying to groom young leaders. And that was really successful."
We need Momma & Papa Reyna and Wynalda to come out with the Truth.... NOW.!!!
This Ggg is a Groomer/Manipulator CULT Leader and should NOT be Allowed Near Our National Team Players... "Stockholm Syndrome" ring a Bell !?!?!?!?
How is it,??? That you can be Preparing your Team for a World Cup, Not knowing how Far, in the Tournament you might be going;
But, you know about a Meeting on "Moral Leadership" that you can catch on your way back thru New York, after being ELIMINATED from the World Cup.!?!?!?... What about that "Decompression" time You Needed, before you Decide on if you want to stay as USMNT Coach.!!!
Outrageous.!!!.. Hypocritical.!!!.
AIRING THE TEAMS "DIRTY LAUNDRY" IN PUBLIC.!!!!
Ggg is Technically still under Contract with USSF;
He should be FIRED IMMEDIATELY.!!!
Did his Bosses (McBride/Stewart) know about and Authorize this this "Side Trip" on the way Home.???
Then they should be FIRED ALSO.!!!
I do have to pile on here, but I'll be brief. Berhalter made a serious strategic blunder because he came into the job with an MLS mindset. As a result, his initial thinking about players shrieked MLS! Finally and very late he saw that he had to rely on players based in Europe, but by then it was far to late to develop greater team cohesion.
His choices for the final World Cup team are astounding, leaving Scally off the team, for example. Others have pilloried Berhalter for many of his other choices, again still relying too much on MLS players. Adding Ream at the last minute after ignoring him for several years? Dumb! Other player decisions even dumber.
Finally, Berhalter is a babe in the woods about match tactics and substitutions. Like Marsch at Leeds in the UK, Berhalter had a team trying to play with a ton of energy and aggression for a full 90, and the team knew no other way to play when they were gassed. There was no attempt whatsoever to develop different styles of play for different opponents and different match conditions. Instead it was pretty much 99 MPH and pressure. As a resull, the team could not make adjustments and it ran out of gas in the draw with Wales.
Could a better coach have gotten a better result? Maybe. Had the USMNT won its group, it would have drawn Senegal, maybe beatable maybe not, but lacking the Netherlands stature and COACH. Van Gaal thoroughly outcoached Berhalter.
Who will be the next USMNT coach? I hope not Ramos or another American. Maybe Martinez or Mancini, experienced international coaches who are looking for a job. Who else?
Ben, as it Turns Out...
Gregg's Brother is Executive Vice President of MLS.!!!
"The Fish Stinks from the Head.!!!"
Roberto Martinez, who used to coach Everton then Belgium, would be my first choice. But USSF doesn't like experienced outsiders who might challenge their MLS bias.
R2 I concurr Martinez would probably be the Best.
Hope he can do better than he did with Belgium.!?!?!?
Seems like he Under Achevied, or Maybe the "Golden Generation" of Belgium, WASN'T.???
This Donald guy is hilarious!!!!
Paul well done n appreciate your quality journalism. It's a stretch to state berkhalter should not have participated. Also no facts to support he went rogue. Read the HOW Institutes mission statement n their annual event agenda and note the distinguished participants n msybe you will understand that it's a awesome honor to be a participant - a huge one - links provided by Paul in the article. Makes complete sense for him to trust them to keep comments off the record because this is a world class organization. He was sandbagged by an incompetent staffer who cleared the article. Shit happens.
Tom;
Kid got Upset, when told by the Adult, "You ain't gonna Start or Play much"
Kid got Bratty,
Kid got "Put In His Place"
Kid made Adjustment
Kid got to Play some
Kid thought he had been Forgiven and Episode was Closed.
ADULT broke the Trust of the Team, when he Acted Like a Kid and Leaked Internal "Locker Room" information.
Who is going to Hold the Adult Responsible.!?!?!?
We still need to hear from the USSF, did Ggg have Approval to attend the Conference.???( USSF is paying the Guy Millions a year, He would have to Tell his Bosses where he was and what he was doing){I can't understand how USSF allowed him, 3 days after being ELIMINATED, to "Debrief" a Conference in NY and Not go back to Chicago and be "Debriefed" there first}
Did USSF pay for his attending the Conference in NY.???(Air fare, Car, Hotel, Food, Per Diem){USSF is a 501(c)(3) Non-profit, These Reimbursements have to be Noted on the "Public" Books and are Open Records}
Has Ggg been Disciplined by USSF for Breaking the "Moral Leadership" of the "Locker Room"
Was Ggg Really DUMB enough to Believe, in a Auditorium setting, that Anything he said would Not be Recorded and "Get Out".!?!?!?
Dumber than a Rock.???... or Pre-Calculated to Throw Gio and his Family, Under the Bus.???
He Should be FIRED, NOW... Set an example for Future Coaches.!!!