CHAMPIONSSGATE, Fla. — USA Interim coach of the men’s soccer team Anthony Hudson said he hasn’t thought about whether he wants to take the job long-term.
Hudson has been an interim manager since his predecessor Gregg Berhalter’s contract expired at the end of last year. Since then, he has overseen the 2-1 loss to the previous Serbiadraw 0-0 first Colombia – both friendly matches – and Friday destroy 7-1 belong to Grenada at the CONCACAF Nations League.
There is no indication from US Soccer that Hudson is a candidate for the job, one who will only be appointed once the vacant athletic director position is also filled. And Hudson seems well aware of the fact that he may just be keeping the chair warm for whoever is going to take over.
“I haven’t thought about it yet,” Hudson said of the work during a Zoom call with reporters. “I’ve only been to one camp at a time, and it’s a special situation. I’ll just go – again – someday. I’ve explained it in advance, that I’ll try I do my best and I feel I have enough experience to know how to do the right thing right now for these games and also have an eye on doing what’s right for the team in the long run.
“I feel like I have the experience and the ability to do that, but that’s all I’m doing. I’m just doing my job. I tell myself every day when I tell people, smile at me. the people around me, ‘It’s just one day at a time.’ So we’ll see how things go.”
The US is currently at the top of Group D, more than 2 points El Salvador, ahead of Monday’s group stage final between the sides at Orlando’s Exploria Stadium. With a lead over El Salvador, a draw would be enough for the US to advance to the CNL semifinals in June.
While training camp in January included mostly sideline players, CNL marked the first time Hudson led the team’s first-choice group. He says there has been little change in his goals.
“My goal is pretty clear,” Hudson said. “We want to make sure that for this camp we deliver a very good experience for the players and staff, and the bottom line is to help support them to be at their best and win two games. And after that too, if I’m required, we’ll hold the next camp.”
USA and El Salvador drew 1-1 in San Salvador in June 2022, thanks to Jordan Morris‘ dwell time equalizer. Hudson said he expects another tough game this time and praised the work of El Salvador coach (and former USA player) Hugo Perez.
“I think the coach did a great job with them,” Hudson said. “He’s someone that when you watch his team play against other teams, and then when you watch the game against us, he’s someone who has a very, very clear plan… and he doesn’t mind. changes everything.
“We went into games where we totally expected him to play a certain way, and he changed it. So he’s a very, very good coach. I And then I think they’re a team where they have a really good mentality, just an honest, aggressive team that works really hard, clearly believes in what the coach says. the coach asked them to do.”
