USA not in 'nice situation' ahead of friendlies - Hudson

CARSON, Calif. -- For interim United States men's national team coach Anthony Hudson, there is no hiding the obvious. After a successful run to the Round of 16 at the World Cup, the hope was to build off -- and celebrate -- that performance to begin the new cycle.

Instead, after a bizarre set of circumstances that contributed to the expiration of coach Gregg Berhalter's contract, Hudson admitted there is a sense of sadness hanging over the team, which was eliminated by the Netherlands in Qatar.

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"It's a shame for everyone who's involved: players, staff, Gregg, everyone is affected by it," Hudson said. "It's not a nice situation."

But, Hudson said, that's professional sports. Adversity comes with the territory and it's up to him and the blend of mostly high-potential young players and World Cup veterans to make the most of its annual January camp and a pair of friendlies against Serbia and Colombia on Jan. 25 and 28, respectively.