United States coach Gregg Berhalter has been fired following his team's disappointing first-round exit at the Copa America, the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) announced on Wednesday.
The USSF stated that the 50-year-old former US international, who was reappointed to manage the team last year, has been relieved of his duties "effective immediately."
"We are deeply grateful to Gregg for his commitment over the past five years to the Men's National Team and to US Soccer," said US Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker.
"Gregg has earned the respect of everyone within our organization and has played a crucial role in developing a young team and advancing the program."
"We wish Gregg all the best in his future endeavors and are confident he will find success in his next coaching role."
Berhalter's dismissal follows the team's elimination from the Copa America in the group stage, after defeats to Panama and Uruguay, despite an opening win against Bolivia.
The early exit—marking the first time a Copa America host nation has been knocked out in the first round—prompted widespread calls from former players, pundits, and fans for Berhalter's removal.
The sacking comes just two years before the United States co-hosts the World Cup with Canada and Mexico in 2026, a tournament seen as a crucial opportunity to boost soccer's profile in the US.
Crocker confirmed that the search for Berhalter's replacement is already underway.
"Our immediate focus is on finding a coach who can maximize our potential as we continue preparing for the 2026 World Cup, and we have already begun the search process," Crocker said.
RELENTLESS SCEPTICISM
Since his appointment as US coach six years ago, Berhalter faced persistent skepticism, especially following the team's failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
Despite achieving respectable results in regional competitions—winning the inaugural CONCACAF Nations League and the Gold Cup in 2021—his performance against top-tier nations was often criticized.
He led the team to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, where they were eliminated in the knockout stages by the Netherlands, after advancing from a group that included England, Wales, and Iran.
However, Berhalter's tenure became uncertain after the Qatar World Cup due to a public dispute with the family of midfielder Gio Reyna.
His contract, which expired in December 2022, was not automatically renewed. During this period, the United States Soccer Federation conducted an investigation into a 1992 allegation of domestic violence involving Berhalter and his then-girlfriend, now his wife. He was subsequently cleared, and after a globally publicized search for coaching candidates, he was reappointed in June 2023.
This decision was met with criticism from many US fans, who felt it was uninspired and demanded a change.
The pressure on Berhalter intensified after the team's lackluster performance at the Copa America, especially as fellow American coach Jesse Marsch led Canada to the semifinals.
Despite the criticism, Berhalter maintained that he was the right person to lead the US into the 2026 World Cup, acknowledging that the team's performance in the Copa America was below expectations.
"I think collectively, the staff, the players, and the sporting department need to evaluate where we need to improve and how to do better," Berhalter said. "Our aspirations are higher. We know it's a talented team with great potential, but we didn’t show it in this tournament."