B.J. Callaghan will guide the USMNT through the Concacaf Nations League and Concacaf Gold Cup. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker Tuesday day announced that B.J. Callaghan will serve as head coach of the U.S. men’s national team for the 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.
U.S. Soccer is still searching for a permament coach to prepare the squad for the 2026 World Cup.
“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 in a statement. “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 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 in a statement. “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.”
