🇺🇸 Gregg Berhalter’s USMNT tenure: Success or failure?

Rewind all the way to 2017 in Couva, Trinidad and Tobago. After a 2-1 defeat, the United States failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1986. A low point in the organization’s history.

As a result, sweeping changes were made inside U.S. Soccer. Going after duel nationals became a priority, the aging USMNT stars such as Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore, and Michael Bradley were eased out to bring in a younger, fresher generation.

The keys to that generation were ultimately handed to Gregg Berhalter nearly a year later, then the Columbus Crew manager and one of the most highly regarded coaches in MLS.

But more than five years later, the Berhalter era has ended catastrophically, flaming out of the Copa América on home soil in the group stage.

The question remains, however. Was Berhalter’s time as USMNT boss a success?

Statistically, yes, Berhalter was a roaring success as head coach of the Stars and Stripes.

He compiled a record of 44 wins, 17 draws and 13 losses in 74 matches equalling 29 wins, nine draws and seven losses in official competitions. He won the most trophies of any USMNT manager, amassed the most points-per-game of any USMNT manager, and finished with the best goal differential of any USMNT manager.

The former Crew man led the side to what most would recognize as a successful 2022 World Cup campaign, righting the wrongs of 2017 by qualifying out of CONCACAF before making it to the quarter-finals where his side, the youngest at the tournament, suffered defeat at the hands of a superior Dutch outfit.

At that point in time, the United States reigned supreme in CONCACAF and were hitting their marks in global competition. But perhaps the evolutions should have come after Qatar.

After initially letting Berhalter walk away when his contract ended in 2022, U.S. Soccer eventually circled back to rehire him, announcing their intent to see him lead the team towards the 2026 World Cup.

There was a sense of stagnation among the supporters, as the time seemed right to evolve and take the next step after a successful four years under Berhalter, never-mind the off-field issues surrounding his return.

As Copa América rolled around, that sense of stagnation turned into resentment. Berhalter appeared to become a scapegoat for any USMNT exploits that weren’t seen as a step towards world domination.

The chance to change the narrative came this past month as the Stars and Stripes started their Copa América campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win against Bolivia. Catastrophe struck from there, however.

With defeats in their final two group games, the United States crashed out at the group stage, becoming the first-ever host nation to do so in the competition.

As a result, Berhalter was relieved of his duties just a week later, leaving a sour taste in the mouth as his tenure came to an end.

So was his time as head coach a success? You have to say yes.

Ushering in a new generation of young, European based talent while simultaneously putting a stranglehold on CONCACAF can not be overlooked.

It may have ended in a fiery crash, but the United States Men’s National Team is left in a better place than when Berhalter took over.

With that being said, the time for U.S. Soccer to set their sights on more prestigious managers to lead this generation is now. With 2026 becoming visible on the horizon, the next move could be a future-altering one.