Berhalter's past threatens repeat as USMNT Coach

Gregg Berhalter might just have coached his last game as the head of the U.S. Men's National Soccer team.

The U.S. Soccer Federation revealed Tuesday it is investigating Berhalter for a 1991 confrontation in which he kicked the woman who later became his wife.

The federation said it learned of the allegation on Dec. 11 and hired the law firm Alston & Bird to investigate. The USSF said Berhalter and his wife Rosalind had "spoken openly" about the matter, and Berhalter admitted to the kick in a statement Tuesday.

"Through this process, U.S. Soccer has learned about potential inappropriate behavior towards multiple members of our staff by individuals outside of our organization," the USSF said, adding the investigation also includes those allegations.

The USSF said it will announce "in the coming days" who will coach the team for exhibitions against Serbia on Jan. 25 and Colombia three days later. These are the first matches for the Americans since they were eliminated by the Netherlands last month in the World Cup round of 16.

Berhalter Responds

In is response Berhalter's statement said: "During the World Cup, an individual contacted U.S. Soccer, saying that they had information about me that would 'take me down' - an apparent effort to leverage something very personal from long ago to bring about the end of my relationship with U.S. Soccer.

"In the fall of 1991, I met my soulmate. I had just turned 18 and was a freshman in college when I met Rosalind," Berhalter wrote on Twitter. "One night, while out drinking at a local bar, Rosalind and I had a heated argument that continued outside. It became physical and I kicked her in the legs."

Berhalter said the authorities were never involved and that he sought counseling after the incident. The two reconciled after the fight, got married and have four children.

"The lessons learned from that night over three decades ago became the foundation for a loving, devoted, and supportive relationship, which we honored and celebrated with our 25th wedding anniversary this past weekend," Berhalter added.

Berhalter, 51, was hired in December 2018 after the U.S. failed to qualify for that year's World Cup. He has led the team to 37 wins, 11 losses and 12 draws, and the Americans earned the third and final automatic World Cup berth from the North and Central American and Caribbean region.

Berhalter is the first American to play for and coach the U.S. at a World Cup. His contract ran through December