IMAGO/ZUMA Wire

Gregg Berhalter Reveals "Extra Motivation" to Reach World Cup Final With USMNT

Originally posted on FanNation Futbol
By Robert Summerscales | Last updated 2/6/24

Coach Gregg Berhalter is extra determined to take the United States Men's National Team to the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after learning that the game will take place in New Jersey.

East Rutherford's MetLife Stadium was confirmed as the venue for the final on Sunday.

The decision was greeted with a mixed response, with AT&T Stadium in Dallas viewed by many as a superior alternative.

But Berhalter - who was born in Englewood - is delighted that the biggest game in world soccer will be staged so close to his hometown.

The USMNT boss told FIFA.com: "It's a dream come true for me being from the area, and I'm sure for most people from that area.

"It's an area with a rich soccer tradition and known for producing players. To think about when I was little going to watch the Cosmos and then selling out Giants Stadium and now this stadium is going to host a World Cup final, it's really special.

"If there wasn't motivation already to try to get to the final, there's a little bit of extra motivation now to be playing, potentially 15 minutes away from where I grew up. That really would be a dream come true."

The USA has never reached the final of a men's World Cup. Indeed, since reaching the semi-finals of the first ever FIFA World Cup in 1930, the USMNT has only progressed as far as the quarter-finals once.

This article first appeared on FanNation Futbol and was syndicated with permission.

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