Anthony Hudson on his 'brave' young squad, Gregg Berhalter and USA's plan to compete with the best

The way the US men's national team are viewed is changing.

Not just by reaching the World Cup last-16 but the manner in which they did it on the biggest stage has confirmed the old stereotypes no longer apply.

And Anthony Hudson, the USMNT's English-American interim head coach, is adamant that their exploits in Qatar should just be a starting point.

Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com ahead of naming his latest squad today, he said: 'There is a stereotype or labels that are put towards soccer in this country.

'I've been involved for maybe two-and-a-half, nearly three years and we started every single camp with a really clear vision.

Anthony Hudson is in interim charge of the US, tasked with the development of a young squad

He believes the US are just getting started, with a home World Cup on the horizon in 2026

'It was all about changing the way the world views our team, the way we play.

'We had a big, big objective and in the World Cup we did that. Certainly, everyone in my circle of people back in England and over here, everyone has spoken about the team in a certain way.

'We showed that we can be a team that plays a style of football that is a modern and different to how US teams have played in the past. Not that one is better than the other. It's just we felt we wanted to just change how we play.

'Coming away from the World Cup we were pleased with that and proud with the way this young team went about approaching the games, playing the games.'

That was encapsulated in the group stage draw against England, a goalless encounter in which the US's fearlessness stood out.

'The biggest thing was the courage and bravery of such a young squad to go and express themselves the way they did,' Hudson said.

'That was very different to how we've played against a team like England in the past. Tactically, we changed a few times during the game, the players adjusted to that. England changed, we changed.

'At the World Cup there was enough evidence there for me to show that we have changed the way people see the team. There's a lot of good work that's been done to this point. Now we need to push it forward. This is now the start of where we want to go in terms of now being a team that can seriously compete against the best teams in the world.'

Hudson took over after the saga involving Gregg Berhalter (pictured) made international news 

The US have a talented young group, including the likes of Leeds loanee Weston McKennie (R)

Hudson has found himself in interim charge for the first part of that process following the expiry of Gregg Berhalter's contract on December 31 and investigation into historical allegations of domestic violence against the latter.

The controversy overshadowed USMNT's World Cup performance and was described as 'a shame' and 'strange situation' by Hudson.

It also put the loyal 42 year-old in a difficult position having been Berhalter's assistant coach.

While the fallout continues and identity of the new long-term manager remains uncertain, some of the focus will return to the football in the next fortnight with the US back in CONCACAF Nations League action against Grenada and El Salvador.

Hudson, who also oversaw January's friendlies against Serbia and Colombia, has his focus on building on the World Cup momentum.

'March is an important time because it's really important we don't settle,' he said. '[Think] we achieved our objective and just settle for it. There is no shortage of determination to keep progressing from the group.'

Success in the Nations League and Gold Cup in 2021 were indicators to Hudson about the positive trajectory the national team were on which was underlined at the World Cup.

Hudson previously coached in MLS with Colorado Rapids, but was fired back in 2019

He is set to name his squad later today for the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League games

The shift in type of American player being produced – to younger, expressive types willing to take the ball such as Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams and Yunus Musah – was another encouraging sign.

'It's a combination of what's being done now at the younger age groups and the growth of MLS has been incredible within different markets,' Hudson explained.

'In the younger age groups, we're getting more players, more technical players, more individual players, players comfortable receiving the ball in tight areas and able to get out of trouble coming through.

'And now there are some MLS clubs with Premier League-like stadiums and who get huge crowds. Premier League facilities, really engaging the city and the community. Over the years that's affecting the younger players. Now they have something in their town to go look up to and strive towards. It all goes towards the growth of the game in this country.'

As they look to continue that growth between now and the next World Cup which they will co-host with Canada and Mexico and when they will be aiming to better their Qatar finish, improving the depth of the pool of American players competing at the highest level is one aim with finding a striker a primary focus within that.

Coaching and development will be key as well as exploring potential options with dual nationality.

More tests against football's bigger nations will also be sought.

Hudson addresses his USA players at a training session in Carson, California earlier this year

'Those games are going to be key, not just for the development, but also they're going to be really clear markers of where we're at and what we need to do between now and the World Cup,' Hudson said.

On a personal note, Hudson is set to remain in charge until after this summer's Gold Cup with his current contract expiring in August.

And while he was once one who looked long-term, his priority now is ensuring he does the best job while holding the fort.

'If it was a few years ago I'd be really clear about wanting to be in a certain place by a certain time. I'd be super-driven to keep progressing,' the well-travelled Hudson began about his own coaching ambitions.

'When I left New Zealand [where he was national team manager] I was desperate to get into club football. I wanted to get into MLS.

'Then I think that desperation to want to get somewhere can lead you to make bad decisions and compromise on certain things.

'That way of thinking is not necessarily productive for me. I feel that I'm just a lot more patient now. A lot more calm and whatever is in store for me, I'm good.

He is no stranger to international management having coached New Zealand and Bahrain too

'I'm just really focused on enjoying what I do, coaching, helping players, helping the federation, preparing the team. Quite content doing the best I can and seeing what comes at the end of that.

'It just comes with experience. Getting the sack is part of it. You look back, reflect and maybe you made decisions based upon reasons that weren't good reasons but just because you want to be in a certain job, keep progressing and you force things.

'When I got the sack at Colorado Rapids [in 2019] that was a big lesson and it's just changed my view on life and coaching. I'm now much, much better, calmer and more patient.

'These are things that I've learned along the way and I feel like I enjoy my job and life a lot more as a result of it.'