BJ Callaghan will serve as head coach of the US men’s national team at this summer’s Concacaf Nations League and Gold Cup tournaments, amid news Tuesday that interim coach Anthony Hudson has stepped down from the program for a new opportunity.
Callaghan, an assistant under Hudson and former head coach Gregg Berhalter, originally joined the program in 2019. He previously spent seven years with the Philadelphia Union, first with the Union Academy for two years and then with the first team for five years as a staff member. assistant coach Jim Curtin.
Hudson, also an assistant on Berhalter’s 2022 World Cup staff, took charge of the USMNT in the new year and helped secure the recruitment of several dual international players (most notably forward Folarin Balogun).
Full time job available
The USMNT’s search for a full-time head coach continues, as athletic director Matt Crocker noted last week. Crocker said they aimed to make an appointment before the end of the summer and set the policy before the country hosts both the 2026 FIFA World Cup (automatically) and the 2024 Copa América (need to go through the 2023-24 Nations League).
“BJ has been an integral part of the USMNT staff over the last four years as this young team has grown and developed,” Crocker said in a release.
“Having worked with Anthony Hudson over the past five months, we are confident that he is ready and prepared to lead this group in the summer tournament.” We are grateful to Anthony for the excellent work he did and wish him every success in the future.”
Callaghan in, Hudson leaves
Callaghan, the longest serving member of the USMNT’s technical staff, was part of Berhalter’s staff as they won the 2021 Nations League and Gold Cup titles before reaching the last 16 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He holds a US Soccer Pro License and has deep roots in the Philadelphia soccer community, which led him to become Curtin’s trusted assistant.
“I understand the responsibility of the job and am honored to have the opportunity to build on the progress this group has made over the past four years,” Callaghan said in a statement. “Together we have built a strong culture and a strong understanding of how we want to play and we expect to continue to build on that progress.” Our goal is clear: defend both of our Concacaf titles.”
Hudson, the former head coach of the Colorado Rapids, also coached the U.S. U-20 national team. He had a 2W-1L-2D record with the USMNT and most recently oversaw a 1-1 draw with Mexico in the first Allstate Continental Clásico.
“It has been an honor to represent the national team and one that I have truly appreciated and enjoyed,” said Hudson. “The team is in good hands at BJ and I am excited to watch and support the team as they continue to grow and reach the heights we all know they are capable of.”
The USMNT returns to action on June 15 with a Nations League semifinal against Mexico, then faces Canada or Panama in the final or third-place game on June 18. They are drawn in Group A for the Gold Cup (held in June). July 24-16) along with Jamaica, Nicaragua and a team to be decided.