America Soccer Federation (USSF) will conduct a complete evaluation after a disappointing Copa America match on house soil “fell in need of expectations”.
The U.S. males’s nationwide crew beat Bolivia 2-0 in its opening sport however then misplaced 2-1 in opposition to Panama and have been crushed 1-0 by Uruguay when combating to remain within the competitors.
That consequence, coupled with Panama defeating Bolivia, despatched them crashing out on the group stage.
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With the 2026 World Cup within the U.S., Canada and Mexico simply two years away, coach Gregg Berhalter’s place as head coach is now below appreciable strain.
An announcement from USSF learn: “Our match efficiency fell in need of our expectations. We should do higher.
“We shall be conducting a complete evaluation of our efficiency in Copa America and the way greatest to enhance the crew and outcomes as we glance in direction of the 2026 World Cup.”
After his facet’s elimination, Berhalter stated: “We all know we’re able to extra and on this match we didn’t present it, it’s so simple as that. We have a look at the stage with the followers and the excessive stage of competitors and we must always have carried out higher. We’ll do a evaluation and work out what went fallacious however it’s an empty feeling for now for certain.”
Requested by The Athletic if he nonetheless believes he’s the appropriate man and voice to guide the group, Berhalter replied: “Sure.”
Berhalter, 50, led the USMNT to the final 16 of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar however his contract was allowed to run out on the finish of that yr, partly owing to his interactions with winger Gio Reyna.
Reyna was practically despatched house from the World Cup on account of his conduct after being knowledgeable he wouldn’t be a starter for the U.S. crew within the opening sport in opposition to Wales. Reyna’s lack of effort in subsequent coaching periods practically led to his dismissal from the crew, however Berhalter opted to maintain Reyna in Qatar.
After the match, the coach spoke about these points with out naming Reyna throughout the Q&A portion of a management convention that was working below Chatham Home guidelines, which generally meant any feedback have been off the report. These feedback have been revealed, nonetheless, and The Athletic reported that Reyna was the participant about whom Berhalter spoke.
After these tales, Reyna’s mother and father — former U.S. nationwide gamers Claudio and Danielle Reyna, longtime buddies of Berhalter and his spouse, Rosalind Berhalter — reported to former U.S. Soccer sporting director Earnie Stewart an incident in 1992 by which Berhalter kicked Rosalind throughout an argument when the 2 have been freshmen on the College of North Carolina.
That prompted a U.S. Soccer investigation which ultimately discovered Berhalter was cleared to be re-hired.
Captain Christian Pulisic, who scored within the opening win over Bolivia however couldn’t assist in the 2 blunt performances that adopted, was left ruing not discovering a “answer” within the last third in opposition to Uruguay.
“We had an excellent begin and introduced a variety of vitality, however on the finish of the day simply not sufficient high quality,” Pulisic stated. “I felt like we gave it every part, however we simply couldn’t discover the answer to attain.”
Requested the place the crew go from right here, he stated: “It’s about getting some relaxation, regrouping and discovering an id once more.”
Goalkeeper Matt Turner backed Berhalter and the present employees to get issues proper.
“I see no concern with the path we’re heading,” Turner stated. “When you may have a combat like that on the pitch in each single sport we’re in on this match, it speaks volumes to how the supervisor prepares us.”
Defender Chris Richards, chatting with The Athletic, too believes progress is being made.
“Each sport is step ahead whatever the consequence. You’ll be able to study lots from each sport,” he stated. “I feel individuals like to provide us a variety of criticism due to who we’re and we take that and we maintain shifting.
“We strive to not pay attention an excessive amount of to outdoors noise. They’ll say what they need, however each sport, each coaching is a step ahead whatever the consequence.”
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Midfielder Weston McKennie is open-minded about subsequent steps however can be comfortable to proceed enjoying for Berhalter if that’s the path that’s determined.
“I imagine all of us have a consolation with Gregg and all of us perceive him and we’ve had him for a very long time,” he informed The Athletic. “He’s progressed the crew very removed from the place we began off 4 or 5 years in the past.
“I feel the connection that we’ve got with him is what’s essential, in having a coach that gamers that may run by means of a brick wall for him, gamers that hearken to him. And so I feel no matter occurs, occurs, however I feel if he’s the coach, we’re all comfortable, stand up, mud off, study and maintain shifting ahead. That’s the one factor you are able to do now.
“You’ll be able to’t actually attempt to reside prior to now, not assume too far sooner or later, simply attempting to be within the current and enhance little by little and see the place it takes us.”
The USMNT are subsequent scheduled to be in motion in September for a pair of friendlies, in opposition to Canada in Kansas Metropolis on September 7 earlier than assembly New Zealand in Cincinnati three days later.
(High photograph: John Dorton/ISI Photographs/USSF/Getty Photos for USSF)