"The Fire had not qualified for the MLS Cup playoffs since the 2017 season and finished the 2024 campaign in last place of the Eastern Conference. Berhalter quickly responded to the challenge, transforming the perennial contenders for the Wooden Spoon -- the infamous, and unofficial, award for the worst overall record in the MLS regular season -- to a team that clinched a 2025 MLS playoff spot with a thrilling 5-3 win over Inter Miami CF and Lionel Messi."
"It was a little more than a year ago that Gregg Berhalter led the U.S. men's national team to a historically disappointing Copa America run, becoming the first ever host-nation of the CONMBEBOL tournament to be eliminated in the group stage. The team's two losses and one win prompted the U.S. Soccer Federation to fire Berhalter, forcing the coach's second exit from the national team. As #BerhalterOUT inundated social media, questions about his future in the game naturally began."
"No, because I never thought it was me,"
Gregg Berhalter was dismissed after the U.S. men's national team failed at the Copa America, becoming the first host nation eliminated in the group stage. Chicago Fire FC hired him as head coach and director of football for 2025, bringing him back to MLS where he had won two titles as a player. Berhalter rebuilt the franchise, turning a last-place 2024 side into a 2025 playoff qualifier, clinching the spot with a 5-3 win over Inter Miami and Lionel Messi and establishing a club record for away performances. The U.S. national team continued to struggle under Mauricio Pochettino, while Berhalter said he felt no vindication.
Read at ESPN.com
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