B.J. Callaghan to serve as USMNT head coach for pair of upcoming tournaments
CHICAGO – U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker today announced that B.J. Callaghan will serve as head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team for the upcoming Concacaf Nations League and Gold Cup tournaments. Callaghan has served as assistant coach of the USMNT for the last four years and takes over for Anthony Hudson, who is departing for a new opportunity.
“B.J. has been an integral part of the USMNT staff during the last four years as this young team has grown and developed,” Crocker said. “Working alongside Anthony Hudson these last five months, we are confident he is prepared and ready to lead this group in the summer tournaments. We are grateful to Anthony for the tremendous job he did and wish him success in the future.”
Joining U.S. Soccer in 2019, Callaghan initially served as the strategy analyst before being promoted to assistant coach as the U.S. team captured the 2021 Nations League and Gold Cup titles before reaching the Round of 16 in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He is currently the longest-serving member of the USMNT technical staff.
“I understand the responsibility of the job and am honored to have the opportunity to build upon the progress this group has made the last four years,” Callaghan said. “Together, we have built a strong culture and a great 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.”
A holder of the U.S. Soccer Pro License, the 41-year-old native of Ventnor, N.J. has coached at every level of the game. Prior to his time with the USMNT, he had been with the Philadelphia Union for seven years, first with the Union Academy for two years and then five years as a first team assistant coach to Jim Curtin. Callaghan played four seasons at Ursinus College and served as an assistant at Villanova.
Hudson departs after having served as the U-20 Men’s Youth National Team head coach in 2020 and then as an assistant coach for the USMNT since 2021 before taking the helm in January of this year. With wins against Grenada and El Salvador in March, Hudson advanced the team to the Concacaf Nations League Final Four as well as the Gold Cup where they will defend both titles. During his tenure in charge, he continued the effort to pursue dual nationals that resulted in a number of players choosing to represent the United States.
“I would like to thank U.S. Soccer for the opportunity to be part of such a great team of players and staff,” Hudson said. “It’s been an honor to represent the National Team and one that I have truly valued and enjoyed. The group is in good hands with B.J., and I’m excited to watch and support the team as it continues to grow and reach the heights we all know they are capable of.”
Meantime, the search for a permanent head coach is underway.
The USMNT will defend back-to-back titles this summer, beginning with the Concacaf Nations League. Set for June 15-18 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the 2022-23 CNL Final Four will pit the USA against rivals Mexico in a rematch of the thrilling 2021 championship match in which extra time heroics from Christian Pulisic and Ethan Horvath guided the USMNT to a memorable 3-2 win against El Trí in Denver. The winner of the USA-Mexico clash will take on the winner of the Panama-Canada semifinal in the championship match, while the two semifinal losers will play for third place. Both matches will be contested on June 18.
The U.S. then begins its quest for a record-tying eighth confederation championship as part of Group A in the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup along with Jamaica, Nicaragua, and a team that will be determined through the 2023 Gold Cup Prelims. The Gold Cup will take place from June 24-July 16 in venues across North America.
