Welcoming Gregg Berhalter as USMNT Head Coach
The Glasshouses
New York City, New York
Tuesday, December 4, 2018 

“A Great Day for Soccer in America”

Good afternoon everyone! Thank you all for being there. I think I speak for all of us when I say that this is a great day for U.S. Soccer. It’s a great day for our U.S. Men’s National Team.  And it’s a great day for soccer in America. We are thrilled to welcome Gregg Berhalter as our new head coach for our U.S. Men’s National Team. 

Earnie [Stewart] is going to speak to the process that brought us here. Gregg is going to speak to his approach and his plans for the team. I just want to step back for a moment and put this announcement in context. 

Today is another example of the change that we’re bringing to U.S. Soccer. That includes making sure that soccer operations are run by soccer experts.

As part of our reforms at the Federation, we created a new Technical Development Committee co-chaired by board members and former National Team players Carlos Bocanegra and Angela Hucles. We reorganized our staff so that soccer operations are now overseen by both a technical leader—Nico Romeijn—and an administrative leader—Ryan Mooney. For the first time ever, we hired a General Manager for the men’s team, and I want to take this opportunity to commend Earnie.

 Earnie started on August 1, and he hit the ground running. Over three months, he led a very clear, very thorough and very professional process. In fact—with Earnie looking at an initial field of more than 30 candidates—it was probably the most inclusive and comprehensive search for a coach in our history. Earnie, you’ve done a fantastic job. And on Saturday the board voted unanimously to approve Earnie’s recommendation of Gregg.

So, a new Technical Development Committee, a new technical leader and administrative leader for soccer operations, our first-ever GM for our men’s team, and now a new head coach. In other words, the past 10 months at U.S. Soccer have been a time of real change. And with respect to our men’s team, the pieces are all falling into place—the foundation for success is being set—and we’re focused on the future.

We could not be more excited to welcome Gregg.  As a former professional player—both domestic and international—Gregg knows what our players look for in a coach. As a veteran of our Men’s National Team—and the first U.S. World Cup veteran to become head coach of the team—he knows what it means to wear the crest of your country. And as a coach who is at once both detailed and innovative—with experience internationally and in the MLS—he knows how to build winning teams.

Gregg isn’t just the right choice—he’s the best choice to push our men’s program forward with an identity and approach that will be uniquely and fiercely “U.S.”

So, Gregg—on behalf of all of us at U.S. Soccer, welcome. We’re thrilled that you, Rosalind and your children are embarking on this new journey with us. And we know you’re going to lead our men’s team to new heights.