Two ex-US players have clashed heads over the Star and Stripes’ embarrassing Copa America exit on social media, as chaos continues to reign on social media after the team’s 1-0 loss to Uruguay.
Eric Wynalda, a former ESPN and FOX analyst who played in three World Cups for the US, clashed with retired Mexican-American striker, Herculez Gomez, on X barely 24 hours after the Yanks’ shocking group stage exit at the tournament amid all the talk on head coach Gregg Berhalter’s future with the team.
‘I’m actually more tired of @herculezg Why do you think your opinion matters? You were so average and that’s being nice,’ Wynalda, 55, wrote.
‘Respect your elders @AlexiLalas – especially when they were far more significant than you. Go cover MMA or something – or your beloved Mexico. Or stop?’
Gomez, who made the cut to play for the US at the 2010 World Cup, replied with a screenshot of Wynalda blocking him on X.
Ex-US forwards Herculez Gomez and Eric Wynalda clashed over criticism of the USMNT on X after the team’s group stage exit at the Copa America
‘The only thing softer than this generation is ..,’ Gomez, who’s now an ESPN analyst, wrote as part of his comeback.
‘You’ve burned every bridge and wasted every opportunity you’ve ever had post playing career. Can’t wait for the Hallmark movie,’ he added.
Wynalda – the all-time leading scorer of the USMNT and a National Soccer Hall of Famer – raised eyebrows in May while coaching his son’s club team, as he allegedly called an opposing player a ‘b***’ and insulted the team’s mother, according to TMZ Sports.
The former MLS forward was later named in a battery report regarding the incident.
Gregg Berhalter’s job as head coach is on the line after the team failed to meet expectations
Meanwhile, calls for Berhalter to step down from the USMNT are growing from all corners of social media, with possible candidates Jurgen Klopp, Thierry Henry and Marcelo Bielsa being tipped to succeed him.
Jesse Marsch, Hugo Perez, Pellegrino Matarazzo and David Wagner could be considered as well if Berhalter is fired or quits.
Among high-level European club coaches, Massimiliano Allegri and Mauricio Pochettino also are available.
Berhalter remained as USMNT coach a day after the team’s Copa America elimination. He has a contract through the 2026 tournament, which will be cohosted by the US, but seems to have lost the support of a significant portion of the fan base.
