S. Berhalter
Vancouver Whitecaps · CONCACAF Gold Cup · Midfielder · #16 · USA · 24 yrs
S. Berhalter news
Berhalter backs Lewandowski to take Chicago Fire ‘to the top’ ahead of MLS return
Robert Lewandowski has joined the Chicago Fire, and Gregg Berhalter feels the striker will prove to be a real difference-maker for his team. The post Berhalter backs Lewandowski to take Chicago Fire ‘to the top’ ahead of MLS return appeared first on SoccerNews.
USMNT CRASHES OUT! USA 1-4 Belgium Immediate Live Reaction & Post-Mortem with Taylor Twellman
The World Cup dream is officially over for the United States after a disappointing 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the Round of 16. On this live reaction episode of The Cooligans, Christian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros process the team's mental and fundamental breakdown alongside MLS on Apple TV's Taylor Twellman. The guys dissect glaring defensive errors from Sergiño Dest, a crushing mistake by goalkeeper Matt Freeze, and Christian Pulisic's injury exit. They highlight Malik Tillman and Sebastian Berhalter as the few players who stepped up with confidence and heart. Finally, they look to the future, questioning Mauricio Pochettino’s likely departure and debating the deep-seated cultural and developmental overhauls required for US Soccer to turn the corner.
Mauricio Pochettino delivers preliminary injury update on Christian Pulisic after USMNT defeat to Belgium
After the USMNT's 2026 World Cup exit against Belgium, head coach Mauricio Pochettino issued a preliminary injury update on star Christian Pulisic. Christian Pulisic‘s limping exit during the USMNT‘s 4-1 defeat to Belgium added another layer of concern to an already painful evening for the last host nation standing in the 2026 World Cup. Now eliminated in the Round of 16, head coach Mauricio Pochettino offered a preliminary update on his star player’s condition. As reported by The Athletic‘s Tom Bogert, Pochettino said at his post-match press conference that he believes Pulisic twisted his ankle after his failed shot attempt in the second half. Medical tests are still to follow to determine the full extent of the injury and whether it will pose a problem heading into the 2026-27 club season. With the USMNT trailing 2-1 at Seattle Stadium, Pulisic was one of the more dangerous American players looking to spark a comeback, but was unable to create a decisive chance. In the 52nd minute, he got into a shooting position from the edge of the box, only for Youri Tielemans to get a foot in and snuff out the opportunity at the last moment. Play was halted shortly after as Pulisic remained on the ground, having made contact with Tielemans’ foot as he attempted the shot. The stoppage did little to halt Belgium’s momentum, with Matt Freese spilling the ball moments later to allow Hans Vanaken to extend the lead to 3-1. Mauricio Pochettino says he thinks Christian Pulisic twisted his ankle but he hopes it's not serious and he'll be able to reintegrate with AC Milan ahead of the 2026-27 season. https://t.co/17NiEkxcpD— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) July 7, 2026 Unable to continue, Pulisic was substituted off in the 59th minute for Sebastian Berhalter, taking his place on the bench visibly emotional and unable to impact the game in front of the home supporters. Pochettino expressed hope that the injury is not serious and that his captain will be fit to return to AC Milan for the start of preseason preparations. With Ruben Amorim now at the helm in Milan, the club is building toward a new project under fresh leadership. A preseason tour of Scotland is scheduled for late July, with a friendly against Celtic in Glasgow on the 25th among the first fixtures planned, and the hope is that Pulisic will be fully recovered well before then. Pochettino on USMNT’s elimination: ‘It wasn’t our day’ The USMNT had shown real promise throughout the tournament, and Pochettino’s project appeared to be gaining momentum following the win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, only for Belgium to bring it to an abrupt end. Costly individual errors compounded the damage and ultimately sealed the fate of the last co-host still standing in the competition. With his contract situation still unresolved, Pochettino was candid and took personal responsibility at his post-match press conference: “I congratulate Belgium. They were better than us. That is not to find excuses, because we didn’t show what this team normally can show. We need to assess this game and we need to see why we didn’t approach it in the same way as the rest of the World Cup. Maybe the explanation is easy: it wasn’t our day, collectively or individually. Of course, the person with the most responsibility is myself. And yes, we need to see and check what we did, because it wasn’t the performance or the way that we normally play.“
Meet Wisconsin-born Esmir Bajraktarević, the man who could bring down the US
The former New England Revolution midfielder came up through the US system, but felt a pull toward his parents’ homelandEsmir Bajraktarević’s uture offered two options with little overlap.Born and raised in Appleton, Wisconsin, a Midwestern river town where Harry Houdini also came of age, Bajraktarević’s development took him from the nearby Chicago Fire’s academy to the New England Revolution. He began representing the United States at youth levels, first the U-19s and then the U-23s. He was included in Gregg Berhalter’s squad camp in January 2024, making his senior debut against Slovenia. He was involved at Olympic level too, helping the US qualify for Paris 2024. Continue reading...
USMNT vs Turkiye: Confirmed lineups for the 2026 World Cup Group D game
The confirmed lineups for the 2026 World Cup Group D match USMNT vs Turkiye. The new tiebreaker system introduced for the 2026 World Cup has created scenarios in which some teams have nothing left to play for. That is the case in Group D, where the USMNT have already reached the next round while Turkiye have been eliminated. It is a great chance for the USMNT to continue building on a strong tournament so far, with two victories that secured first place in the group. In contrast, Turkiye have been eliminated after two defeats. The USMNT are top of the group with 6 points, with their spot already secured because they won the head-to-head match against the teams that could tie them. Australia are second with 3 points and an even goal difference, while Paraguay are level on 3 points with a -2 goal difference. USMNT vs Turkiye lineups For this match, Mauricio Pochettino opted for this lineup: Turner; Scally, Trusty, M. Robinson, McKenzie; Berhalter, McKennie; Aaronson, Reyna, Weah; Pepi. Pochettino can rotate the team (Jamie Squire/Getty Images) For Turkiye, Vincenzo Montella picked this lineup: Çakir; Çelik, Elmali, Bardakçi, Kabak; Özcan, Kökçü, Güler, Yildiz, Yilmaz, Aydin. USMNT’s next match With first place in the group already secured, the USMNT know they will play on July 1 in San Francisco against a third-placed team. While the opponent has not been confirmed yet, Bosnia and Herzegovina should be the rival unless a number of outcomes occur in the final matches.
As USA World Cup barbs fly, the Socceroos get motivated to have the final word
Australia lean into their underdog status while fans and media build hype around highly anticipated Group D matchThe poisoned words have added sizzle to the Socceroos’ clash against the USA, and underlined the Australians’ belief in their status as underdogs. Commentators have described the Socceroos as a “lay up” for the Americans. That they don’t have any good players. That they are nothing but an average team with a “smug” coach.USA midfielder Sebastian Berhalter – even as some teammates took a more conciliatory tone on Wednesday – chose to continue the war of words: “I think one [of this team’s core beliefs] is that we’re American. We don’t take shit.” Continue reading...
Christian Pulisic credits one brutal piece of Gregg Berhalter’s feedback that changed his career and shaped him into USMNT leader ahead of 2026 World Cup
Now preparing for another World Cup on home soil, the 27-year-old has opened up about a pivotal moment that helped alter the trajectory of his career and ultimately made him a stronger player. With the 2026 World Cup just 12 days away, Christian Pulisic finds himself carrying the hopes of an entire nation once again. The Milan star has become the face of the United States national team, while former coach Gregg Berhalter remains one of the key figures who helped shape his development during the early stages of his international career. Pulisic’s journey to becoming the leader of the USMNT has included moments of success, difficult setbacks, injuries, and enormous expectations. Now preparing for another World Cup on home soil, the 27-year-old has opened up about a pivotal moment that helped alter the trajectory of his career and ultimately made him a stronger player. In fact, few American soccer players have faced the level of scrutiny that Pulisic has experienced throughout his career. Since breaking through at Borussia Dortmund as a teenager, he has carried expectations wherever he has played. Those expectations followed him during his time at Chelsea and have remained ever-present since his move to Milan. During a recent appearance on The Cooligans podcast, Pulisic discussed the pressure that comes with being the biggest name in American soccer. Despite the constant spotlight, he explained that he has learned how to separate outside noise from what happens on the field. “Everyone loves to bring up all the pressure and tell me about the pressure. I’m used to it,” the forward said. “I’ve lived like this for quite some time now. There’s always pressure there. For me, I just try to do my best to live in the moment. I wouldn’t trade what I do for the world.” The winger acknowledged that criticism comes with leadership responsibilities, especially when representing the national team at major tournaments. Pulisic’s career-changing conversation with Berhalter While discussing his development, Pulisic revealed that one conversation with Berhalter years ago had a lasting impact on his career. Back in 2019, the then-USMNT coach challenged one aspect of Pulisic’s approach that he believed was contributing to recurring injury problems. At the time, the young star did not immediately embrace the criticism. However, as the years passed, he began to understand exactly what Berhalter was trying to tell him. The advice centered around the intensity of Pulisic’s training sessions compared to the intensity he displayed during matches. Gregg Berhalter and Christian Pulisic of United States Berhalter believed the winger’s body was struggling because there was too large a gap between how hard he trained and how hard he competed on matchdays. The coach suggested that greater consistency in preparation could help reduce injury risks and improve performance. Initially, Pulisic was skeptical. Like many talented young players, he believed he already understood what was required at the highest level. Over time, however, he reconsidered the advice and made meaningful changes to his daily routine. “I thought about that more and make an effort to change the way I train and I way I prepare,” Pulisic explained. “It made a big difference in my career.” That simple adjustment eventually became one of the most important lessons of his professional life. Pulisic reveals how he deals with critics Pulisic also revealed how he handles criticism from fans, media, and social networks. Despite facing regular scrutiny, especially during difficult spells of form, he insists that most outside opinions no longer affect him. “I shut out 99% of that stuff that you probably hear; it really doesn’t affect me all that much,” he said. “It’s not nice to hear bad things about yourself or being scrutinized.” Christian Pulisic playing for the USMNT. The forward then explained why he remains motivated regardless of public opinion: “I’m just grateful I’m in this position. This is exa
Mauricio Pochettino explains decision to take 10 defenders in USMNT roster reveal for 2026 World Cup
After the USMNT's roster reveal, head coach Mauricio Pochettino explained the reasoning behind his decision to take 10 defenders to the 2026 World Cup. Mauricio Pochettino unveiled the United States Men’s National Team roster for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday, and one of the most discussed decisions was the inclusion of 10 defenders on the 26-man list. At the press conference following the announcement, the Argentine head coach laid out his reasoning. The USMNT’s official World Cup squad was released on Tuesday, May 26, with the 26 players who made the cut. The decision to bring 10 defenders, five of them center backs and five fullbacks, drew immediate attention given that it left the squad with six midfielders and seven forwards, prompting questions about the balance of the group. When asked to explain the fullback selections, Pochettino pointed to the positional versatility many of those players bring. “(Some fullbacks) can be wingers too. Sergiño Dest plays more as a winger or midfielder. And Tim Weah is more of a winger or striker and can play in different positions,” he said, referencing a group that also includes Max Arfsten, Antonee Robinson, Alex Freeman and Joe Scally. On the five center backs, Pochettino cited both tactical logic and injury risk management as driving factors behind the decision to select Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Miles Robinson and Auston Trusty. “It’s important to have enough bodies at center back, that’s why we have five, for different reasons. In the way that we assessed the situation of the 54 players on the provisional roster, we decided to include five because we wanted to be sure that we don’t take any risks,” the head coach said. Here to chase legacy on home soil. Mauricio Pochettino has selected the 26 players to represent the United States this summer. pic.twitter.com/S8sF7l0PMi— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) May 26, 2026 Noting that players like Tyler Adams, Cristian Roldan and Sebastián Berhalter could cover midfield roles, Pochettino further reinforced his point about positional flexibility across the squad. “Sergiño Dest in his club plays there, Alex Freeman as well. When we played against Jamaica, we used Antonee Robinson as a midfielder, and Tim Weah played as a winger there,” he added. Pochettino seeking maximum flexibility in his squad Across his 24 games in charge of the USMNT, Pochettino has consistently shown a willingness to change his shape and personnel depending on the opponent. While he has most frequently deployed a back four, the Argentine has also used a back three in significant matches against Uruguay, Ecuador and Japan, among others. That tactical adaptability is something Pochettino views as central to the team’s World Cup approach. “I think of plenty of possibilities to play. What we wanted to provide to the team is to have the best players and the right players to make the roster, and have this flexibility with different players so as not to give the opponent the ability to say, ‘We know exactly how they’re going to play,‘” he said. With friendly matches against Senegal and Germany on the horizon as final preparation, Pochettino believes that versatility will be a defining asset for the United States in the tournament itself. “We want to be flexible in a tactical way, and this roster gives us the possibility to play with a back four, a back three, with one holding midfielder, or without a holding midfielder and with more offensive players in front of the back three,” he added.
USMNT World Cup full roster: Alejandro Zendejas is in, Tanner Tessmann misses out
Gio Reyna, Sebastian Berhalter are includedDiego Luna is omitted despite strong formClub América winger Alejandro Zendejas is on the United States’ 26-man roster for this summer’s World Cup, while Lyon defensive midfielder Tanner Tessmann is not included. The selections are the most notable new information gleaned from head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s full World Cup roster, which was obtained by the Guardian and is authentic according to multiple sources with knowledge of Pochettino’s selections.The roster confirms Zendejas’s selection and Tessmann’s omission, along with the inclusion of Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Gio Reyna and the omission of Real Salt Lake’s Diego Luna, both attacking midfielders, choices that were first reported by the Athletic. US Soccer declined to comment on the roster, which will be officially announced Tuesday at a nationally televised event in New York City. Continue reading...