USMNT Hall of Famer Tab Ramos on Gregg Berhalter's Firing and USMNT's Path to 2026 World Cup

USMNT Hall of Famer Tab Ramos joins Morning Footy to share his thoughts on Gregg Berhalter's firing and discuss how U.S. Soccer should approach the next USMNT hire. He talks about the type of coach needed for the USMNT, the importance of getting club minutes, and the type of coach USMNT players will respond best to. Additionally, Ramos provides insight into the USMNT's ceiling for the 2026 World Cup.
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[@jayyoung6560]

Tab Ramos is a man of the people

[@richvela706]

You’re part of the problem

[@jonlevinson4114]

Tab as interim HC

[@thomaspatton4626]

Yes- he is our first respected American in Europe- but last week he said he thought Gio was going to be a Zidane!

[@HammersWalls]

Maybe his Uruguayan background made him a bit of an outsider, but Tab is one of the few guys from that generation that can speak objectively and honestly on the state of things. Keller, Lalas, Meola, McBride and friends always sound like their talking points come from the same WhatsApp group chat.

[@igotjams1]

Tab wasn't an outsider. He was one of the many "mercenaries" that the federation assembled in the early 90's. He was a quiet leader and a very good player. He came out of his shell after retiring

[@HammersWalls]

@@igotjams1 So as a mercenary he was a bit of an outsider huh?

[@igotjams1]

@@HammersWalls THEY WERE ALL OUTSIDERS. MORE THAN HALF OF THE PLAYER POOL BACK THEN WERE 50/50. BUT BEING A FOREIGN RECRUIT THEN DIDN'T AND IT DOESN'T NOW HINDER A PLAYER FROM PROGRESSING. TAB STAYED ATTACHED TO THE FED FOR MANY YEARS. HE WAS NEVER SLIGHTED OR IGNORED. HE MAY HAVE BEEN AN OUTSIDER BECAUSE HE HAD TWO PASSPORTS BUT HE WAS NEVER AN "OUTSIDER LOOKING IN" WHO NEVER GOT A FAIR SHAKE

[@HammersWalls]

@@igotjams1 Lay off the Red Bull bro. True insiders like Lalas, Keller and Berhalter spent years backing each up. Berhalter appears on Alexis show, Alexi tells the fans to lay off Gregg. Tab never plated those games and I respect it. I believe because he was never truly an insider. You don't I guess. Have a cold glass of water and a lie down.

[@igotjams1]

@@HammersWalls TBH they were all treated like sh*t by the federation. But Tab wasn't an outsider as you suggest. He was one of the leaders albeit a quiet leader not a brash one like Wynalda.

[@brandenbates2856]

Tab is one of the only USMNT past players I would support as coach

[@Warum.2439]

Tab Ramos is a gem

[@TylerOrchowski]

Can we please get Tab on the staff for the new coach?

[@stanleed.harold5457]

@@TylerOrchowski brilliant

[@JP-xq7fo]

Tab speaks his mind… USSF and corporate culture as whole hates that…

[@robertwolf-hi8hg]

Thank you Tab for your insights and honesty. You've been apart of the Evolution of US soccer. Let us all be thankful and count our Blessings. We've come a long way in this country. Look Around at all the young Talent we have in this country, and guys playing abroad. It's never been better. Every coach has moved us along the path to a Brighter future. Greg has Done his part as player And coach. Now it's time To take it to the next level ! With a new coach Who can bring the spark To ignite the engine of Success for this moment in us soccer...

[@ChrisOler]

"Whatever that ceiling is, we have to overachieve above that ceiling...we have to beat teams we're not supposed to beat." --Tab Ramos. Love it.

[@markregulus556]

The money constraint argument is always interesting to me. There is likely no shortage of American soccer benefactors willing to bankroll a top-tier USMNT coach for the 2026 World Cup in the USA. If money is used as an excuse, it is because the US Soccer Federation has failed to be creative.

[@mackdeen7021]

Really there’s no shortage of beneficiaries for Men’s national team?????? Really???? 😮😂😅 First I’ve heard of this. Don’t forget whatever the men’s team gets it has to literally be doubled for the women’s teams.

[@jjrock414]

Tab Ramos was one of my idols to pursue soccer. Loved his game! Great coach! Cheers

[@chadnorth10]

really, really sharp insight. we need Tab involved in the program (or coaching discussion!)

[@thebrunostrange]

Good stuff from Ramos.This roster has definitely cultivated a comfy country club vibe.

[@ReinventingRogerOsorio]

The USMNT needs 2 dozen Tab Ramos’! Tabare was the real deal - ready to get his head smashed in, literally, to fight for his country. I miss that level of commitment. I’ll never forget that match between Brazil and USA in 1994. If we can get that committment and intensity with today’s talent, the US would surprise the world!

[@galoguevara6049]

Players playing significant minutes in actual club games is key. So key. The fact that our players are in high level "euro" leagues is a good thing from an experience and exposure perspective. But where a major chunk of these players are aiming to be in the top tier elite teams in their league - and this is not smart. It is not smart because not only are these top tier teams, but they are loaded with elite players who are The Starters. Our players will only be on the bench in these teams, therefore not getting the critical real minutes of real game play. These players have to stop aiming for these top tier teams, just for name recognition - because our players are not at that top tier level yet (and will be on the bench). Instead, our players need to aim for the mid tier teams, where our players will immediately be on the pitch, and be actual contributors. In this way, the players will Develop from actual real game time - playing against other teams (which includes lower, mid, and top tier competition) - in high level euro leagues. This is the key..., play time. Not bench time.

[@kevinwilliamson2214]

Quote of the day, "If your happy to be on the USMNT bench, something is missing"

[@letsexperienceearth3034]

We love you Tab

[@Juanitojk]

Tab would help the Latin American players get a fair shot at the USMNT

[@CJBouhlal]

That's the other Component that was missing, I didn't think about what Tab said until I heard it in this Video. Let's hope the Search for a New Coach has already started some time ago. Good luck the USSF and the USMNT

[@biscuitsmcgravy394]

I agree with Tab. Herve Renard is the best choice.

[@lourd-b8e]

right move, should not have been rehired.

[@coachpaulbusinessenglishen3764]

U.S. Soccer faces more issues than just the mediocrity of Gregg Berhalter. As a fan for over 30 years, I believe that the USMNT is being influenced by Don Garber and the MLS. Additionally, the consecutive poor decisions by Matt Betty Crocker have only made things worse. The frustrating part is the lack of media and pundit criticism of Gregg for his poor tactics, playing players out of position, and inability to change the game with tactics or substitutions. It's disappointing that pundits have not called out Gregg until now. The media is part of the problem in U.S. Soccer, and it's disheartening. My faith in U.S. Soccer, MLS, Don Garber, and the media has been shaken.

[@cohoanglervancouverwa6755]

Agree. U.S. Soccer is heavily influenced by MLS. For years they wanted the focus of the USMNT to be on MLS players, rather than U.S. players playing in Europe. That was a failure (although Jessie Marche has been successful with a majority of MLS players in Canada). But I firmly believe U.S. Soccer will hire another coach from MLS for the USMNT. Sometimes I think they’d rather lose with a U.S. coach than win with someone from Europe.

[@vex355u_fan]

Preach!

[@StylistecS]

USSF and MLS needs a massive divorce and both need one from Don Garber.

[@luckymark571]

Yeah it was Don graber's fault for Weah's red card lol Some of yall need to analyze the game better

[@StylistecS]

@@luckymark571 who said that?

[@wagfinpis]

Tab is talking about the real game!!!

[@stanleed.harold5457]

Tab Ramos and Hugo Perez should be running the program with Mikey Varas until they get their new coach (Klopp) Renard or Henry 😮😊🇺🇲🇺🇲... (Correction Henry as an assistant).

[@scoth2200]

Tab gets it

[@RaydinAE11]

I've been screaming what Ramos is saying. Who is earning their spot day in and day out.

[@charliefoxtrotter]

he's still feeling the elbow

[@RufusIngram753]

I can't speak to Tony's comments because I have only recently heard much of his commentary, but I am confused by the new narrative about playing time now that they didn't do well. I've heard Charlie pushing for these players to start repeatedly when they were on the bench and/or not doing well at their clubs. I mostly agreed with Charlie then (Pepi being my exception), so I'm really confused that this is the narrative now. Maybe they acknowledged this change in tone and I missed it.

[@tommy39693]

I agree, but maybe it’s players like LDLT, Maloney, Cardoso, Trusty, Musah, and Tillman that play significant minutes at their clubs, but haven’t seen much playing time. Even players that ended the season more “in form” like Brendan, should’ve been given more minutes. I think it’d be different if playing time was used as an excuse to bring in more MLS players, like it used to be. But now we have better depth that Weah, McKennie, and Adams don’t necessarily have to play 100% of the minutes and be guaranteed starters. Let them fight for their place.

[@jorgeandrescoellosolis892]

Patrick Schulte should be the next GK to start

[@benross422]

I wish that the USMNT had gone after Jesse Marsch after he was let go from Leeds. Taking a flyer on a coach without national team experience, now that Klopp is uninterested, I would approach Poch. He has managed on a large stage and speaks English. Others I would approach are Joachim Löw, Erin Terzic.

[@patrick-po2lx]

this will be the third consecutive manager to whom USSF has chosen to NOT give an entire cycle in which to build.

[@1030king]

I won’t be upset if Tab took over

[@asphaltcowboy7567]

No 👎

[@user-lf6cf2ro4i]

I wouldn’t mind Tab being the coach. Unfortunately that’s not going to happen because he’s blacklisted.

[@UC1180_]

@@asphaltcowboy7567you know he was probably the most successful manager in the US program right. 4th place with the U20 World Cup in 2019 and U20 2017 CONCACAF champions

[@kenw7287]

@@UC1180_ Tab Ramos failed in both MLS and USL with Houston and Hartford respectively. He was really bad with Hartford considering that the expectations were really low there.

[@UC1180_]

@@kenw7287 yeah see I can actually care less about MLS and USL results. I mean they obviously didn’t help Berhalter now did it. Not to mention coaching a national team and coaching a club team is 2 completely different things.

[@tripperdelaluna1]

5:38 - these players situations are all different. Although I feel that Horvath should have always been #1.

[@theaquariancontrarian3316]

Hire Tab Ramos!

[@todwest]

They didn't like the fact that Klinsmann was 'making calls on his own' as to which players to bring up. USSF wants a stooge who will select players that are best for MLS marketing. Results are secondary to propping up this phony 'league.'

[@jlb74a]

Tab would be better coach than Dolo. Dolo could be assistant. Wish it could be a Spaniard coach. Anyone notice famous tiki taka players are now famous coaches, like Pep, Arteta, Alonzo, Xabi? Still playing ball but I wonder if Busquets and Iniesta would coach someday.

[@micahcunningham6812]

USSF’s goal is to prop up MLS at any cost. That is my stance until they show me otherwise

[@CJBouhlal]

W.C. 2026 is NOT W.C. 1994. In 94 we hosted the World Cup for the first time ever, when we didn't have a real Soccer League We're way past that time and the MLS especially needs to have an over achieving National Team to make money. Even if the USMNT players play overseas, we need the Success of the USMNT so that some of those players return to MLS and help push it higher. And we need the USMNT to join Copa America Permanently. The Gold Cup gives us a false sense of superiority, WE LOST TO PANAMA 2-1. We lost to Panama and the reason given by the Coach was that the Red Card hurt us, but we just saw Columbia play with 10 too, after the Ref expulsed number 21, and they defended and won no miracles needed. Why are we in 2026 still not at the level of fixing a problem like a red card on the run? We should be a much higher level now, we should be playing in Copa America Final. This is not the fault of just Berhalter, but he accepted the responsibility over the failure and we need everybody to use all lessons learned from 94 on.

[@coachtfd]

One of the biggest complaints I’ve had about the US men is the culture. If we wonder why the women were so successful across almost three generations of players it’s because they knew that if they’re not playing they’re not getting picked. They know if they’re not performing they’re getting replaced. Go back on here and look up videos of Tobin Heath when she joined the team, talking about trying to make the team. Then compare it to her talking about still having to compete to make the World Cup roster years later. We have a player on our men’s team that isn’t even starting regularly for Palermo in Serie B, and we call this a golden generation? We think we’re a top team, you serious? 😬 Klinsmann was right, Tab is right, we’re don’t demanding enough from our players.

[@davidgodoy826]

Don Garber is the problem with US soccer.

[@kenw7287]

Garber's just a figurehead for the MLS owners. He's very good at making money for them. I generally like MLS for the most part (I don't want the USMNT starters playing in MLS aside) but the league really needs to address the homegrown territories, hard salary cap (with funny salary rules), and coaching development issues.

[@marfon7618]

Disappointed in some of our players as well 😞 Berhalter was half the problem

[@percytillman6030]

Please get real and accept that this is not a golden generation of players. We need the majority of players to be starting at Champion's League clubs with regularity. Pulisic was the only one that had even a good year at such a club. It's time to stop blowing smoke up the backsides of the likes of Gio, etc. Dortmund doesn't even want him anymore. He has to find a good club where he can really grow and not just be great potential. The firing is justified, but the players need to be held accountable too. Frankly, the older guys need to retire and a younger crop must step up!

[@deadbeatcatdad4048]

antonee robinson played at a very high level last season too. not sure we can be too picky about the clubs our internationals play for as long as they're starting games and their form is good. otherwise i agree. anybody who's watched both players would know gio reyna was never gonna get ahead of morgan gibbs-white, because he's not as good.

[@user-lf6cf2ro4i]

⁠@@deadbeatcatdad4048 Antonee Robinson plays in the prem but he’s not on a top six team (Fulham) and it definitely shows because when he comes up against a better opponent (the Netherlands in the last world cup) or better individuals he struggled mightily when it came to the defensive, technical and tactical aspects of things.

[@lennyjenkins9931]

​@@user-lf6cf2ro4i Thing is, force any player to play out of his playing style, and he will do bad.

[@lennyjenkins9931]

I swear you don't actually watch the players at all. Dest, Tillman, Cardoso, and A. Robinson all had amazing seasons and they are Starters.

[@user-lf6cf2ro4i]

⁠​⁠@@lennyjenkins9931😕Play out of his playing style? What do you mean?

[@francostacy7675]

Tomas Tuchel

[@stanleygohome4869]

JURGEN KLOPP

[@FManAngryAmerican]

What do y'all think of Tab Ramos as a potential Head Coach?

[@asphaltcowboy7567]

No 👎

[@asphaltcowboy7567]

Its Mainly pulisic and nobody

[@christiannavarro2498]

Leadership council= inmates running the prison! New guy w command needed!

[@rezzkidd3528]

As an American, who loves USMNT, with Italian parents, who support Italy, my parents are correct. Ask Europeans about USMNT. You will not get disrespect, in actually, Europeans feel really bad about how we are destroying our talent pool because of USSF. But also as my Father pointed out. USMNT is not that good. Clint Dempsey is better than Pulisic, but Clint never had 100 million-dollar marketing campaign to support him.

[@jimchilczuk4128]

Dempsey is not better than Pulisic. A simple eye test can show you that, but Pulisic in 1 season as a Starter put up stats that Dempsey never did.

[@rezzkidd3528]

@@jimchilczuk4128 We have regressed since 2002, we made a WC Quarter final, USMNT has done nothing since. I am sorry I am hurting everyone's feelings. We have done nothing since 2002. Gold generation, what Golden generation? We do not have the talent. Argentina has 5 Pulisic, England has 6 Pulisic, we need to come to grips we are not that good.

[@valenzuelaj08]

Didn't they start Tillman who was playing a lot over gio and he was not better than gio was in the team

[@asphaltcowboy7567]

Gio 👎

[@davidmilko816]

A starting XI is not as simply player A is better than player B. You have to put together the formation and tactics that gets the best out of the players you have. Go back and watch the games coached by BJ (before Gregg was officially re-hired). He used a 4-2-3-1 where our weak CBs had coverage & outlet passes. Gio at the ACM where he'd combine and connect the midfield with the attackers....slipping well timed & weighted balls to Ballo on the run, or into space for Weah & Pulisic wide. Or quick interconnecting play with Dest & Pulisic; depending on which side we were building from. to move the ball side to side while still progressing upfield. The attack was fluid and unpredictable. Which created good chances and pinned opponents back. Gregg used Adams as basically a lone screen...leaving the CBs exposed. Weston & Geo/Musha to carry the ball up field and predictably pass out wide for a low % cross or recycle backwards where each pass & player movement was predictable. Stagnating the attack and making it easy to dispossess the players. Both used the exact same 11 guys but the tactics and rolls were different. Yielding significantly different results for players individually as well as the team as a hole. The players played freely on attack, yet had structure and depth on defense. This also challenged regulars starters as Wright saw improved success...Adams, Musah, & McKennie pushed one-another to be one of the 2 starters. In general players looked happier, more focused, and better prepared under BJ than they ever did under Gregg.

[@E-Man-21]

thomas tuchel for usmnt

[@user-lf6cf2ro4i]

🧐No. All he brings is turmoil everywhere he goes.

[@stanleed.harold5457]

Tessman Cowell Buck Trusty Gaga Shulte Callender Tolkin

[@chairmanro1012]

“Hall of famer”, you can start right there on your long list of problems