Gregg Berhalter returns to the USMNT - But is it a good move?

The news first broken by The Athletic during the Concacaf Nations League semifinal between the United States and Mexico (3-0) is now official. Former US men’s national team head coach Gregg Berhalter will now return and guide the team to the 2026 World Cup. US Soccer confirmed the news on Friday afternoon. 

Berhalter saw his contract expire at the end of the 2022 World Cup. Allegations surrounding the conduct to his now wife while Berhalter was still in college and well-documented issues with current national team player Giovanni Reyna, as well as his family, has meant that US Soccer initially refrained from signing Berhalter to an extension. Instead, U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker conducted a worldwide search for a new head coach. Several names were linked, including former Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch. 

But rather than appointing a new manager, it will be the same old for the United States as Berhalter is now going to return to his former post and take over from interim manager B.J. Callaghan following the conclusion of the Gold Cup on July 17. “I’m grateful to have the opportunity to build on our achievements at the World Cup and to contribute to this exciting time for soccer in our country,” Berhalter said in a statement published by US Soccer. “The entire group of players and staff have worked incredibly hard to establish our identity on and off the field.” 

Berhalter returns – Focus on finding someone with the “right vision”

“When I started this search, my focus was on finding someone with the right vision to take this program to new heights in 2026,” Crocker said in a statement issued by the US Soccer Federation. “Gregg has that vision, as well as the experience and growth mindset on and off the field to move this team forward. Appointing the right head coach for a national team is a crucial decision that reflects U.S. Soccer’s identity and lays the foundation to grow soccer across the country for years to come. I am confident that Gregg is the right person for the job and looking forward to working in partnership with him.”

Although often criticized by fans and media alike for his statical tactical approach and leaving out players that have performed well in the top four leagues, Berhalter’s record speaks for itself. The 49-year-old has been in charge in 60 games and has had a points-per-game average of 2.05. According to the stats provider Opta, under Berhalter, the USMNT has scored 1.97 goals per match and allowed 0.67 goals per match in 60 matches under Berhalter, both are the best of any manager in the program in charge of a minimum of 10 games.

On paper, at least, those are impressive numbers. But there is also the fact that Berhalter has been coached off the park when they faced the Canadian men’s national team in World Cup qualifying twice, and his team also looked out of depth in the World Cup against the Netherlands (3-1). In other words, Berhalter will have to show that he has learned from his first tenure in charge and demonstrate that he has the ability to react to adversity during 90 minutes and be more tactically flexible.