Former USMNT forward Herculez Gomez has insisted Gregg Berhalter is not the right man to lead the Stars and Stripes to the 2026 World Cup.
The United States were spared when Cory Burke’s own goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time drew them level and forced extra time in the Concacaf Nations League semi-final against Jamaica.
The No. 13 Americans were on the verge of losing their third straight match after Greg Leigh scored 30 seconds into the match for the 57th Reggae Boyz, but Burke’s own goal, followed by Haji Wright’s strikes in the sixth and 19th minutes of added time, set up a 3 -1 win for the USA.
With the victory, the Americans advanced to the Nations League final against Mexico, with the chance to win a third straight title this weekend.
But even that can’t save Berhalter, Gomez believes, as the analyst insisted the head coach was on the verge of being fired.
Herculez Gomez has insisted Gregg Berhalter is not the right man to lead the USMNT
The US narrowly escaped humiliation in the Nations League semi-final against Jamaica
“Gregg Berhalter was two seconds away from everyone calling for his head,” Gomez told ESPN. “From everyone saying this isn’t the man to lead this team.
‘I don’t think I feel much different today after this match than before. Gregg Berhalter can be a good coach at some level. He is not the coach for the USMNT at this level. Not the coach who will lead the USMNT to a World Cup in 2026.”
The 41-year-old shared the clip with X, formerly known as Twitter, and doubled down on his claims in the caption.
“The #USMNT could beat Mexico this weekend (or not) for its third CNL title,” he wrote alongside the clip from the Futbol Americas show on Friday.
“But it won’t change what I’ve seen or how I feel about Gregg Berhalter being the USMNT coach.”
Gomez isn’t the only former USMNT star coming to Berhalter swinging this week.
Alexi Lalas led a number of former American footballers who questioned Berhalter’s standing at the Copa America just three months away.
The former defender criticized the national team for its performances – especially during the first half – and appeared to question Berhalter’s position.
Alexi Lalas led the criticism of the performance and raised questions about Berhalter’s position
The former American defender announced the team’s first-half performance on social media
“That was a terrible half of #USMNT football. I wish I could go into the locker room and tear them all a new one. #USAvJAM,” he posted during halftime on X, formerly known as Twitter.
He took direct aim at Berhalter on Friday afternoon when he insisted the coach deserved blame for his team’s actions.
“You can do whatever you want,” he posted. ‘But I can say it was a terrible performance and as a coach Berhalter deserves criticism for his team’s complete lack of urgency, ruthlessness and energy. But he also made the necessary changes in players/tactics to achieve victory in a knockout setting.”
While former American players like Taylor Twellman, Eric Wynalda and Tab Ramos were previously passive about Berhalter’s role as USMNT head coach after he was rehired, the tide seemed to be turning.
The trio also joined in because, while not directly targeting Berhalter, they delivered a scathing analysis of the performance, with some pointing out that the coach was to blame.
“Unfortunately, the end product of this team is still far less than the sum of its individual parts… year after year,” Ramos said.
Taylor Twellman and Tab Ramos also spoke out about the state of the U.S. national team
Meanwhile, Twellman fired off a pair of tweets questioning Berhalter’s tactical decisions.
“He wasn’t called up initially…,” he wrote, referring to Wright after his winning goals in extra time.
Earlier on Thursday evening, the Apple TV MLS commentator was seemingly baffled by the decision to play midfielder Weston McKennie at right back.
“McKennie as RB now……,” he posted alongside shrugs and raised eyebrow emojis.
‘Own goal. Fitting. #USMNT,” he added after Burke helped raise the U.S. level.
Former American stars, including Twellman and Eric Wynalda, were also critical
Wynalda, a retired forward and coach and commentator, wrote: “It is becoming increasingly difficult to care for this American team. It just feels weird.”
‘If they don’t score in their own goal, where are we today? What is the conversation? Is there a conversation?’ he asked later, in response to a fan who labeled Berhalter’s second term as “old.”
Thursday’s disappointing performance comes just three months before the US host the Copa America and provides a worrying insight into their chances of success.
The Copa America also serves as a warm-up for the 2026 World Cup, which the US will co-host with Canada and Mexico, with the final taking place at MetLife Stadium in Berhalter’s home state of New Jersey.
