“Don’t see any reason to change.”
Former U.S. Men’s National Team goalkeeper Brad Friedel is throwing his support behind current U.S. manager Gregg Berhalter, following Team USA's 3-1 defeat to Holland in the round of 16 at the Qatar World Cup.
In a post for the dailymail.com, Friedel argues consistency will be key to American success on home turf in 2026.
“It's my view that this group should stay together with coach Gregg Berhalter,” writes Friedel.
“People are going to question whether he stays or goes, it happens after the end of an international tournament”, Friedel continued.
“As a US fan and someone who wants the program to do well I'm happy with him to stay. I am a big fan of continuity and I thought overall in the World Cup we performed well. I don't see any reason to change.”
Friedel is known for his consistency on the field himself.
He played 84 games for the United States national team between 1992 and 2005, and represented his country at three FIFA World Cups. He is the current holder of the Premier League record for most consecutive appearances with 310, a feat he achieved during spells at Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur.
Raising the prospect of Berhalter leaving, or being asked to leave, Friedel says: “We never know what might happen, he might get a great offer from somewhere else and go or the federation might have other ideas, but my opinion is we should keep him.”
There’s also two key questions for GGG if he stays according to Friedel – though no answers were provided.
“If Gregg does remain in the post, he has two questions in the next two years - which of his core group does he want to keep and where can he make additions?
Berhalter’s contract runs out later this month, and he has said he will take a couple weeks to go home and clear his head, before making a decision on staying or leaving.
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