On Wednesday, USMNT soccer leaked it had fired disappointing manager Gregg Berhalter, per Fox Soccer reporter Doug McIntyre.
The news is hardly surprising for anyone who followed the United States’ disspiriting era under Berhalter, especially during a flat Copa America loss where he was content not to lose. Once Tim Howard started lobbying for Jürgen Klopp, the writing was on the wall. So, of course the US will ideally be looking for a better manager.
The catch is that Berhalter’s firing leaked at the same time that actual international power England was celebrating a berth in the 2024 Euro Final. Why, it’s almost as if the Americans were hoping the soccer world would focus on England’s joy instead of making fun of them for firing a failed manager.
Hmm, what curious timing for a news dump!
Gregg Berhalter is out as USMNT head coach, per @ByDougMcIntyre pic.twitter.com/S626gTp8Ft
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2024
THE EURO 2024 FINAL IS SET
Which team is coming out on top, Spain or England? pic.twitter.com/UU5W2Z4Trw
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2024
If USMNT leaders were indeed trying to avoid the worst of any international criticism with the timing of Berhalter’s firing, they probably succeeded. For the next day or so, everyone will be talking about England.
However, they will be sorely disappointed if they also hoped to avoid criticism from American soccer pundits and fans. That’s not how it works.
