“It is disgusting” - Berhalter on racial abuse against McKenzie

The United States men’s national team are scheuled to play Costa Rica in a friendly game prior to the start of the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Wednesday, a day after USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter spoke about the racial abuse that Mark McKenzie suffered on social media after his errors against Mexico in the Nations League finals.

Berhalter backed his defender

"It is absolutely disgusting, things like that. It has no place in sport," Berhalter said. "You take enough criticism about performance and guys having off games and saying you're not a good player. To bring something like race into is absolutely disgusting and out of bounds."

McKenzie used his own social media account to denounce the racist comments received after the United States defeated Mexico 3-2 in extra-time on Sunday night. Berhalter gave his opinion on the matter and backed his defender.

"Now it hits closer to home," Berhalter said. "We support Mark 100 percent and don't stand for any of that. We have absolutely zero tolerance for stuff like that."