Clint Dempsey says there’s ‘nonetheless time’ for US Soccer to exchange Gregg Berhalter if nationwide group flops at Copa America subsequent yr – regardless of him solely being re-hired 5 months in the past!

Clint Dempsey doesn’t imagine it is too late for US Soccer to discover a new males’s head coach if the nationwide group disappoints within the Copa America subsequent summer time.

After his contract expired following the World Cup, Gregg Berhalter was re-hired in June with the US, Canada and Mexico-hosted World Cup looming within the not-so-distant future.

And whereas Berhalter absolutely has 2026 in his sights, Dempsey thinks US Soccer can change course if issues do not go properly in a event that includes the likes of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay subsequent yr.

‘I believe Copa America is really how you are going to be graded for the group,’ he completely instructed Mail Sport from CBS Sports activities’ Vacation spot Miami occasion this week. ‘And, , for the coaches, are we doing the fitting factor? Since you’re not gonna get one other larger alternative to do properly within the World Cup on house soil in 2026. So in the event you do properly in [the Copa America] and also you’re constructing in direction of one thing, then that is nice. However in the event you’re not, I believe there’s nonetheless time to alter issues if it is advisable.

‘You do not do properly, then you definitely’re all the time on the chopping block,’ Dempsey added. ‘That is what comes with each job, proper? When you’re not performing, the query begins to be requested. So I believe there’s nonetheless time to point out what you are able to do. However I believe Copa America goes to be an enormous check for this group and for this coach when it comes to the place we’re going.’

Dempsey gave Berhalter credit score for a ‘nice job’ getting out of a bunch comprised of England, Wales and Iran in Qatar, however admitted that he was uniquely impressed with the group’s efficiency below ex-interim coach (and present assistant) BJ Callaghan within the CONCACAF Nations League.

‘That was essentially the most excited I have been watching the nationwide group, when it comes to how they performed in opposition to Mexico and Canada, and the way dominant they had been, and thrilling they had been to look at.

‘I do not know if there was something totally different when it comes to techniques, participant choice, and since they all the time they work collectively,’ Dempsey added of the potential modifications from Berhalter to Callaghan. ‘So what’s what’s the distinction? Was it simply the extra pleasure round profitable a trophy with the group? They really feel extra free taking part in for one supervisor than the opposite? I do not know. Like, I am not inside camp and I am not speaking with gamers to see what was the explanation why issues went so properly there.’

Dempsey’s feedback come after the USA’s 2-1 loss at Trinidad and Tobago within the Nations League (although the Individuals gained 4-2 on combination), and a 3-1 pleasant loss to Germany in October.

Since Berhalter’s return, the group has additionally defeated Uzbekistan, Oman and Ghana in pleasant matches, although Dempsey referred to as the present iteration of the Black Stars the ‘worst Ghana group I’ve seen.’ 

‘No group in CONCACAF actually did properly when it comes to the [Copa America] qualifying course of…  However in the event you wanna do one thing nice, you gotta look outdoors of CONCACAF, proper? You gotta take a look at, what are the opposite greatest groups on this planet. In any other case, do not discuss making an attempt to do one thing particular within the World Cup.’

Like the subsequent World Cup, the Copa America may even be hosted within the US, with Miami’s Arduous Rock Stadium and Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium to this point confirmed as event websites.

The draw for the competitors will happen on December 7.