Who is Anthony Hudson, the USMNT interim head coach out to defeat Mexico?

After performing well in its January friendlies against Serbia and Colombia, and in the Nations League clashes with Grenada and El Salvador in March, the United States men’s national team now faces its sternest test so far in 2023.

In a friendly in Glendale, Arizona on Wednesday, the Stars and Stripes take on a Mexico side which, under new head coach Diego Cocca, is out to end Team USA’s recent dominance in the CONCACAF region.

Appointed as interim USMNT boss in place of Gregg Berhalter in January, Anthony Hudson has drawn positive displays from the Americans and remains in contention to take the job on a permanent basis, as the country sets its sights on the 2026 World Cup, which it will be co-hosting with Mexico and Canada.

US-based squad to take on Mexico

For Wednesday’s friendly at State Farm Stadium, Hudson has an almost entirely MLS-based squad to choose from. As the game doesn’t fall within an official FIFA international window, clubs are not obliged to release players, so only AC Milan’s Sergiño Dest has travelled from Europe to face Mexico.

Nevertheless, the USMNT has more than enough in its armoury to beat Mexico as the teams prepare to meet again in the CONCACAF Nations League semi-final in June.

Who is Anthony Hudson?

Born on 11 March 1981 in Seattle, Hudson is Anglo-American - he has British nationality through his father, former England international Alan.

Anthony Hudson’s career as a player was short-lived. Having started out at Premier League club West Ham, he was unable to establish himself in the first team at the Hammers, who sent him out on loan to Luton Town. After being released by West Ham in 2001, he signed a two-year deal with NEC Nijmegen, but parted company with the Dutch club after just six months.

After moving into coaching, Hudson got his first experience at the helm of a soccer club a very early age. In 2008, at just 27, he took charge of United Soccer Leagues team Real Maryland Monarchs, becoming the youngest professional head coach in the US.

Anthony Hudson’s coaching career:

Fruitful spell in Bahrain

Overall, the 42-year-old’s results in the dugout have been mixed. In 162 games as a coach, he has managed 47 wins, 41 draws and 74 defeats. His chief success so far came during the period he spent in the Middle East. During a two-year stint in Bahrain, Hudson steered the country’s Under-23s to the U-23 Gulf Cup of Nations title in 2013.

Four years later, as boss of the New Zealand national team, he almost led the All Whites to qualification for the 2018 World Cup, but his side was beaten by Peru in the inter-confederation playoffs.