CARSON, Calif. — Temporary USA Men’s national team coach Anthony Hudson, nothing hides the obvious. After reaching the round of 16 successfully at the World Cup, hope is building — and celebrating — that performance to start a new cycle.
Instead, after a series of strange circumstances contributed to the expiration of coach Gregg Berhalter’s contract, Hudson admitted there was a feeling of sadness over the team, which were eliminated by Netherlands in Qatar.
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“It’s a shame for everyone involved: the players, the staff, Gregg, everyone is affected by it,” Hudson said. “It’s not a nice situation.”
But, Hudson said, it’s professional sport. Adversity comes with the territory and it’s up to him as well as a mix of mostly high-potential young players and World Cup veterans to make the most of the annual January camp and a pair of deals. with Serbia and Colombia on January 25 and 28, respectively.
“It was a dream for a lot of them – a lot of us, but mostly the players,” said Hudson, who worked as an assistant to Berhalter in Qatar. “They set out with a great, noble ambition, not just to go [to the World Cup]it’s about going there and presenting yourself in a way that people will sit up and notice the team.”
“So when all of this happened, I thought it was [a feeling] of shame. It’s sad that all the attention has gone away from it. All good work and it has been moved in a different direction.”
Until US Soccer hires a permanent coach, it will be difficult for people to fully continue without acknowledging the constantly changing situation. Especially with an ongoing external investigation in a domestic violence case in 1991 regarding Berhalter, has been brought to attention by USSF superintendent Earnie Stewart by Danielle Reyna, the winger’s mother Giovanni Reyna.
“I said yes to that now and then my next big responsibility is to the players,” Hudson said. “Because we couldn’t get all the players from abroad because they weren’t available, historically, this camp opens up a space for new players to come in.
“We’ve seen more than 30 odd players who have had their first or second stint for the team this season before and continue to represent them. [us] at the World Cup.”
Among the players who could fit that profile is goalkeeper Gaga Slonina. The 18-year-old recently completely moved in Chelsea the words Chicago Fire FC and has committed its international future to the United States despite being eligible for Polandwhere both his father and mother come from.
“It’s an honor to be here,” Slonina said. “I’m taking this opportunity to show what I can do as a player for the national team, which I think is very important. The transfer has been fantastic. Training and The level there is something I think every player dreams of.
“Come out here and show what I’ve learned in the short time I’ve been there, which I think is something I can use to my advantage.”
Slonina is one of the few players of European descent approved by the club to participate in this camp, which is not part of the FIFA-designated international competition period.
“[Chelsea is] very proud,” said Slonina. “A club like that, I think, gives you the most resources to succeed. When you have an opportunity like this, yes, they will be very happy. Told me to enjoy the moment and hopefully get my first national team cap.”
Hudson said the team is designed to combine high-potential Olympic-age players with dual-nationals and players with World Cup experience. The idea is that Qatari veterans — Walker Zimmerman, kellyn acosta, DeAndre Yedlin, Aaron Long, Sean Johnson and Jesus Ferreira – will be able to take on a greater leadership role and spread the developed culture with new faces.
“They responded really, really well, as I expected,” Hudson said. “I mean, that’s why we picked them up because we know the personalities of these people.”
After two games, Hudson has no clear expectations of what’s next for the team or for himself.
“I don’t know,” he said. “I think we play these two games and I’ll go home and see what happens after that.”
