Berhalter Channeled Jordan's 'Three-peat' to Inspire USMNT Glory

In a masterstroke of motivation, United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) manager Gregg Berhalter drew inspiration from one of the greatest dynasties in sports history – the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls’ iconic ’three-peat’ in the NBA. Berhalter’s tactical maneuver paid dividends as the USMNT clinched their third consecutive Concacaf Nations League crown with a 2-0 victory over archrival Mexico on Sunday.

The USMNT’s road to glory was arduous, but Berhalter’s psychological ploy fueled their unwavering determination. He revealed photoshopping the Concacaf Nations League trophy into Michael Jordan’s hands, replacing the iconic image of the basketball legend holding up three fingers to signify the Bulls’ three straight NBA titles from 1991 to 1993.

“That was what we were focused on,” Berhalter admitted. “It doesn’t happen too often. I think in North American sports in the last 50 years, pro sports, it’s probably happened six times, so it’s rare. And congratulations to the guys. Congratulations for playing a great final.”

The USMNT’s third successive Concacaf Nations League triumph cements their status as a regional powerhouse, extending their unbeaten streak against Mexico to seven games – the longest in the heated rivalry’s history. Tyler Adams and tournament MVP Giovanni Reyna etched their names into the annals of US soccer with second-half strikes that sealed the historic ’three-peat.'

Berhalter’s strategic use of the Jordan imagery tapped into the psyche of his players, harnessing the indomitable spirit that defined the Bulls’ dynasty. Just as Jordan and his teammates overcame adversity and raised their game to unprecedented heights, the USMNT demonstrated an unshakable resolve in the face of immense pressure.

“Today’s a final, and you could see the guys are super-focused all throughout the day,” Berhalter observed. “To me, we knew what type of game it was going to be, and that was important. We wanted to maintain calm and play our football, and credit to the guys because I think the intensity stayed at a really high level for the whole game, and that was really important, especially against Mexico.”

The USMNT’s journey to the ’three-peat’ was not without its challenges. In the semifinals against Jamaica, they found themselves staring down the barrel of elimination before a last-gasp own goal and a dramatic overtime comeback kept their dream alive. However, Berhalter believes his team possesses an innate ability to bounce back from adversity, a trait he deems crucial for sustained success on the global stage.

“For me, it’s really focusing on that type of performance every game, and that’s what it’s going to take to be successful at an event like the World Cup,” Berhalter asserted. “But I know the guys in the last World Cup, as soon as they got to camp, it was like focus, focus, focus. They were on it. And same thing in this camp as the camp went on… For me, it’s about really taking advantage of every single opportunity we have because before we know it, 2026 is going to be here.”

With the 2026 World Cup on home soil looming large, Berhalter’s strategic implementation of the Jordan ’three-peat’ mantra could prove to be a masterstroke for the ages. Just as the Bulls etched their name into basketball lore, the USMNT is well on its way to carving out a lasting legacy in the annals of American soccer.