Christian Pulisic Sounds Anything But Confident About Gregg Berhalter's Future As USMNT Manager

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The 2026 World Cup may feel like an eternity away as we sit in July 2024, but in the world of international soccer, the tournament is creeping into just-around-the-corner territory. Given that reality, the window for the U.S. men's national team to part ways with manager Gregg Berhalter and bring in someone new to help build chemistry, morale, and most importantly a winning mindset, is closing fast.

With the USMNT failing to get out of the group stage of Copa America and showing little to no life in losses to Panama and Uruguay en route to its early exit, now feels like a pivotal time for U.S. soccer: the federation either makes a move or Berhalter stays on the sideline.

READ: Gregg Berhalter Booed, Met With 'Fire Gregg' Chants After USMNT's Embarrassing Copa America Exit

If the latter situation unfolds and Berhalter is somehow given another chance, odds point to the USMNT crashing and burning in the 2026 World Cup, which happens to be the biggest occasion in the history of American soccer with the tournament being hosted in North America.

Following the 1-0 loss to Uruguay that sealed the USMNT's early exit from Copa America, many players were asked about Berhalter's future as the manager. 

Starting goalkeeper Matt Turner, who was not nearly good enough throughout the tournament, predictably complimented Berhalter after the loss and even went as far as to say "I see no issue with the direction we're heading." 

Turner, or any player for that matter, isn't going to look in the camera and shout ‘Berhalter Out!’ like everyone on social media, given that he would like to continue to be the No. 1 keeper on the roster moving forward.

Midfielder Weston McKennie said players would "run through a brick wall" for Berhalter after the loss to Uruguay.

Christian Pulisic, captain of the USMNT, was a bit more cryptic and honest with his comment about Berhalter's future as this team's manager.

"Look, we have a good relationship with him," Pulisic said after the loss to Uruguay. "Whatever the next step looks like, it's not my job to decide."

Christian Pulisic doesn't seem to be entirely on board with Gregg Berhalter leading the USMNT into 2026. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

It's worth noting that Pulisic, easily the most influential player on the USMNT roster, was among the many players who went to bat for Berhalter to be re-hired after his contract expired following the 2022 World Cup. The U.S. Soccer Federation conducted a lengthy interview process before ultimately bringing Berhalter back into the fold despite him accomplishing nothing more than any other USMNT manager had before him.

The USMNT manager position has never been flashier. The team is getting set to play host to the World Cup in just over 700 days and does not have to worry about qualifying for the tournament as a host nation. On top of that, this group of players has been tabbed the ‘golden generation’ by many, despite not accomplishing all that much, which adds more intrigue for a potential manager who may have ruled out the idea of coaching the U.S. national team in years past.

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Mark covers all sports at OutKick while keeping a close eye on the world of professional golf. He graduated from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga before earning his master's degree in journalism from the University of Tennessee. He somehow survived living in Knoxville despite ‘Rocky Top’ being his least favorite song ever written. Before joining OutKick, he wrote for various outlets including SB Nation, The Spun, and BroBible. Mark was also a writer for the Chicago Cubs Double-A affiliate in 2016 when the team won the World Series. He's still waiting for his championship ring to arrive. Follow him on Twitter @itismarkharris.