U.S. Soccer appoints Anthony Hudson as USMNT head coach for January camp

U.S. Soccer confirmed Gregg Berhalter will not lead the USMNT at the upcoming January camp in Carson, California. Sporting Director Earnie Stewart announced Anthony Hudson will serve as head coach, as the team prepares for two international friendlies against Serbia and Colombia. 

The news comes after U.S. Soccer confirmed the launch of an independent investigation after learning of an allegation against USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter on December 11, 2022.

The investigation is currently being led by Jenny Kramer, BJay Pak and Chris Marquardt of Alston & Bird LLP and remains ongoing.  

Gregg Berhalter took to Twitter on Wednesday to explain the allegation, revealing a domestic abuse incident between the head coach and his wife 31 years ago.

The social media post went on to insinuate that an individual blackmailed Berhalter with this information, approaching U.S. Soccer with a story that would “take him down.”

Danielle Reyna, the wife of former USMNT captain Claudio Reyna and mother of current player Gio Reyna, admitted to leaking the information to U.S. Soccer. 

“With the ongoing investigation and U.S. Soccer’s full review of the USMNT program following the conclusion of the 2022 FIFA World Cup still underway, Hudson will be joined in Los Angeles by fellow World Cup assistant coach B.J. Callaghan and Under-20 Men’s Youth National Team head coach Mikey Varas in selecting and managing the roster for the friendlies against Serbia and Colombia.”

At the moment, Gregg Berhalter’s future with the organization remains unclear. His contract as head coach of the US men’s national team has since expired, and no update has been given on his continued involvement. 

Though U.S. Soccer did confirm that it is customary to hold a review for each head coach following a four-year cycle.

“In the past, the customary review of the past four years of the entire program following a World Cup would begin in the summer, well ahead of any year-end contract expiration. The unique  November-December timing of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar significantly reduced the amount of time that the Federation would have to conduct a proper assessment prior to the end of the head coach’s contract.”