USMNT Legend Slams Alexi Lalas Claims, Insists Gregg Berhalter Won’t Be Fired Even If Lost to Uruguay

There has been a lot of speculation over Gregg Berhalter‘s future with the USMNT. The American head coach is reportedly on his last legs if his team cannot make it to the knockout stages of the Copa America. Team USA will be in action tonight as they take on Uruguay in their final group-stage fixture. While a win will secure a place in the quarterfinals, a draw or a loss will leave the team hanging on Panama’s result. The USMNT’s clash against Uruguay could play a big role in deciding Berhalter’s future with the team.

A section of experts including former players Alexi Lalas and Herculez Gomez have spoken out against the manager, claiming he hasn’t been able to help the team grow and should be shown the door irrespective of the results from Copa America.

However, not everyone is against the idea of having Gregg Berhalter at the helm. Former USA star turned coach Eric Wynalda commented on the American head coach’s future the previous night. Wayna on his X handle fired subliminal shots at both Lalas and Gomez, stating, “Confirmation that if the US happens to lose to Uruguay and fail to qualify for the knockout stage of Copa America Gregg Berhalter will continue to be the coach. Zero chance of the Federation making a change at this time People need to just accept the fact that he’s our coach.”

This is Berhalter’s second stint as he was the head coach of the USMNT between 2018 and 2022, which ended due to legal turmoil, involving a domestic abuse case against him came to light. However, after months of investigation determined the incident as ‘isolated’, Berhalter was rehired and given a contract through the 2026 World Cup. Despite the US Soccer showing faith and support in him, the 50-year-old manager has not been able to make an impact considering the Yanks’ disappointing performances.

Pressure is mounting on the USMNT head coach and it will be interesting to see if the federation maintains its trust in the manager despite a poor string of performances. Meanwhile, it’s not a surprise that former USMNT icons expressed their disagreement with Gregg Berhalter’s coaching. While Alexi Lalas held nothing back saying the learning from these cycles is that this team is not able to do anything better than it has done in the past and that Berhalter is going to lose his job, here is what Gomez said.

Herculez Gomez rips into USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter

Ex-USMNT star Herculez Gomez didn’t hesitate to criticize the American head coach after his team lost to Panama. Gomez claimed the team was stagnating under Gregg Berhlater and should have parted ways with the manager a while ago.

While talking on ESPN, Gomez stated, “I asked for him to step down or the federation to let him go after they were 10 seconds away from getting bounced by Jamaica at home in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Nations League. What kind of message are you sending? You, the federation to the fans with the World Cup looking and your golden generation and this is the standard.”

Do you think Gregg Berhalter deserves to stay with the USMNT if he cannot get the team into the knockout stages of the Copa America? Sound off in the comments below.