Anthony Hudson named temporary USMNT head coach

United States Soccer has announced that Gregg Berhalter will not take charge of the team’s January training camp. Instead, Anthony Hudson has been named as the USMNT head coach for the camp and upcoming friendly matches.

Hudson previously managed the Bahrain and New Zealand national teams. He collected the 2016 Oceania Football Confederation Nations Cup with New Zealand. Also, the coach managed Major League Soccer side Colorado Rapids and the United States U20 team. Hudson joined the USMNT as an assistant coach in 2021.

Soccer organization investigating allegations

U.S. Soccer is currently investigating a domestic violence incident involving Berhalter and blackmail accusations. The USMNT head coach recently admitted to kicking his girlfriend in the legs during an altercation that took place 31 years ago. Berhalter is now married to the aforementioned woman.

The 49-year-old coach claims that someone contacted U.S. Soccer during the World Cup in Qatar saying that they had information on the incident. U.S. Soccer issued a statement on the unsettling issues.

“Through this process, U.S. Soccer has learned about potential inappropriate behavior towards multiple members of our staff by individuals outside of our organization. We take such behavior seriously and have expanded our investigation to include those allegations,” said U.S. Soccer.

Anthony Hudson not necessarily permanent USMNT head coach

Berhalter’s future with the USMNT is still up in the air. The Americans had a fairly up and down 2022 World Cup. Although they did progress through a tricky group stage, the USMNT were thoroughly beaten by the Netherlands in the knockout round. Berhalter made some interesting coaching decisions. He has held the head coaching role of the American team since 2018.

Hudson will now control the upcoming USMNT training camp and be on the sidelines for two friendly games. The Americans face Serbia on Jan. 25 and Colombia three days later. Both fixtures, as well as the training camp, will be played in the Los Angeles area.

PHOTO: IMAGO / PA Images