Berhalter will return as coach of the US national team – sources

Sources said that the deal is nearing completion and will continue until the 2026 World Cup. An official announcement by the American soccer team about Berhalter, who led the United States in the 2022 World Cup, is expected on Friday.

Berhalter, 49, was hired in December 2018 after failing to qualify for that year’s tournament and led the Americans to the last 16 of last year’s World Cup, where they were eliminated with a 3-1 loss to the Netherlands. The United States earned an automatic berth to the 2026 World Cup as co-hosts with Mexico and Canada.

Berhalter led the Americans to 37 wins, 11 losses, and 12 draws and was discussing a new contract with NFL sports director Ernie Stewart when Giovanni Reyna’s family, annoyed at his lack of playing time in Qatar, contacted the union about allegations involving Berhalter. In a 1992 encounter with the woman who would become his wife.

Gio Reina’s parents – former USA captain Claudio Reina and midfielder Daniel Egan – were furious that Berhalter had discussed his issues with Gio at a management conference after the World Cup, which, with Gio not specified, was clearly about the 20-year-old midfielder. years. .

The USSF retained Alston and Byrd’s legal team to investigate the 1992 encounter, and the law firm said in a March 13 report that while Berhalter’s behavior “likely constituted a misdemeanor offense of assault against a female,” he did not improperly withhold information when it was charged. set it.

“There is no basis for concluding that the employment of Mr. Berhalter would create legal risks for an organization,” the report said.

On 26 January Stewart announced his resignation and was replaced in late April by Southampton’s Director of Football Operations Matt Crocker, who was tasked with leading the search for a new manager. Crocker said he plans to make a decision by late summer.

Earlier Thursday, Jesse Marsh’s agent, Ron Waxman, tweeted that his client would not become the US coach. Marsh was the favorite for the job.

Anthony Hudson, one of Berhalter’s assistants, became an interim coach on January 4 and coached the Americans to two wins, one loss and two draws, then resigned on May 30 to become coach of the Qatari club Al-Markhiya.

Another assistant, PJ Callahan, replaced Hudson and led the US team into the CONCACAF Nations League semi-finals against Mexico on Thursday night, with a resounding 3-0 victory that saw the Americans qualify for the finals against Canada.

ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle and Jeremy Schaap contributed to this story. Information from the Associated Press was also used.