USA defenders DeAndre Yedlin and Walker Zimmerman are backing coach Gregg Berhalter as his future with the national team is at stake amid investigations into a bombastic revelation he kicked his wife in 1991
National team defenders DeAndre Yedlin and Walker Zimmerman praised coach Gregg Berhalter for bringing the Americans together during the World Cup in Qatar, although he is currently under investigation by US Soccer.
Yedlin and Zimmerman said they understood there might be uncertainty about the team’s leadership structure for a while as Berhalter is under investigation for a 1991 incident in which he kicked his future wife in the legs.
Berhalter said in a statement last week that he was attacked by a third party who aimed to “take him down” as he admitted kicking his now-wife Rosalind when he was 18.
US coach Gregg Berhalter will be supported by two of his World Cup defenders
DeAndre Yedlin told reporters Tuesday he believes Berhalter is a “great head coach.”
“I think Gregg is a great head coach, I think he’s done a great job of holding us all together and really making sure we’re all fighting for the same goal,” Yedlin said at MLS media day on Tuesday.
“Obviously we all know certain things happen and again some of those decisions aren’t up to me. He’s a great coach and I really enjoyed working with him.”
The US Football Association said last week it learned of the allegation against Berhalter on December 11 and hired the law firm Alston & Bird to investigate. The association said Berhalter and his wife Rosalind have been “open” about the matter, and Berhalter admitted to kicking her during an argument after a night of drinking in 1991 before their wedding.
Berhalter went public in 1991 for kicking his wife Rosalind (left) during an argument
Gio Reyna’s mother, Danielle Reyna (pictured left with husband and former US player Caludio Reyna), admitted last week she shared information about the incident with US officials
He released a statement last week calling his behavior “a shameful moment and one that I regret to this day” and said he looks forward to “continuing my discussions with US Soccer about the future”.
Danielle Reyna, the mother of US player Gio Reyna, admitted last week she shared information about the incident with US officials on December 11, after Berhalter detailed at a leadership conference how an unnamed player ( later than Reyna confirmed) was almost sent home due to maturity from Qatar for “not meeting expectations”.
Ex-USA captain Claudio Reyna also threatened to reveal details about Berhalter’s past during the tournament, according to ESPN.
Anthony Hudson is serving as caretaker manager while Berhalter is under investigation.
Despite US Soccer saying they will wait until the investigation into Berhalter is complete to decide on his future, the team have reportedly offered the job to Zinedine Zidane, who turned down the offer.
Zinedine Zidane has reportedly turned down a chance to manage the US national team
Walker Zimmerman also praised Berhalter’s work with the team during the 2022 World Cup
Yedlin controls the ball during the FIFA World Cup Group B match between USA and Wales
The Americans were eliminated in the Round of 16 in Qatar by a 3-1 defeat by the Netherlands – the same result for the team as at the 2010 and ’14 World Cups.
“Gregg has done a great job for the national team. I think the record speaks for itself,” said Zimmerman. “Obviously we wish we could have gone further in Qatar. I know he wants that too. I think he did a really good job creating a team culture and amazing chemistry. He’s done a lot of things very, very well. So yeah, we’ll see what happens.’
Berhalter has said he would like to lead the national team through the 2026 World Cup, which the USA will co-host.
Yedlin likes the Americans’ chances to play on home soil.
“They go to every World Cup and ask the host country if it would be a golden opportunity to win and of course it would,” he said. “I think especially for this era of US football. I think we have a very good chance with the players that are in the pool and the players that are coming into the pool. It’s an incredible group of players.’