Coach Gregg Berhalter was not talked about. For all intents and functions, it was about him.
The U.S. gamers, for essentially the most half, usually are not going to vary. This can be a nationwide workforce, not a membership. There are not any transfers and trades. Coaches, they alter.
The U.S. failure at Copa América — crucial competitors till the World Cup involves North American shores — was Berhalter’s failure.
He was tasked with getting essentially the most out of a roster gushing with youthful promise and primed to take the following step within the Individuals’ drive to the 2026 World Cup. As a substitute, they fell on their faces. Nobody anticipated the U.S. workforce to win Copa América and even get near the ultimate, however to not get out of the group stage? Woof.
The U.S. squad completed behind not simply Uruguay however Panama. FIFA’s rankings usually are not essentially the most correct reflection of a workforce’s high quality. Preposterously, the No. 11 United States is three slots greater than Uruguay. However the record additionally locations Panama 32 slots behind the US. And, sure, the early pink card on Tim Weah on Thursday in Atlanta modified every little thing, but the shorthanded Individuals nonetheless took the lead and have been minutes from a draw earlier than conceding a late aim.
The lone U.S. victory over these eight tense days got here in opposition to Bolivia, South America’s weakest program. Two objectives within the first half in opposition to Bolivia, then one within the remaining 2½ matches — that was it. The Individuals performed pretty effectively Monday in opposition to a championship contender however have been neither menacing nor environment friendly within the remaining third of the sector.
“We didn’t need our journey to finish like this so quickly,” midfielder Weston McKennie stated. “None of us know what we’re going to do now since we’re out of the match. No person had any plans as a result of that wasn’t the expectation.”
When the ultimate whistle sounded and gamers fell to their knees or on their backs, it felt like one other missed alternative in an enormous second for this system — following the 2022 World Cup’s spherical of 16 in opposition to the Netherlands, 2014’s spherical of 16 vs. Belgium and 2010’s spherical of 16 vs. Ghana.
Expectations with the present group are hovering as a result of virtually the complete roster is employed in Europe, some by huge golf equipment and lots of in top-five leagues. This so-called golden technology, although, is dropping its glow.
“You need to hold shifting the workforce ahead, and I really feel like we’ve,” Berhalter stated. “It’s not one thing the place you say, ‘Okay, this program is doomed.’ It’s not the case in any respect. It was a poor efficiency. We didn’t get the outcomes we anticipated, and we have to get higher.”
The expectation was not solely to advance however to show maturity, flash some expertise and present the soccer world what’s in retailer for opponents two summers from now. American soccer is on the rise — simply you wait!
Copa América supplied the platform to play heavyweight opponents in an ultracompetitive match setting. However after three video games, it’s over. The one high-end opponent was Uruguay. By failing to advance, the Individuals missed an opportunity to play Brazil or Colombia within the quarterfinals.
They may now return to taking part in in obligatory regional competitions and periodic friendlies, beginning in September in opposition to Canada and New Zealand.
“We bought time to enhance till then,” captain Christian Pulisic stated of the 2026 World Cup. “I feel everybody has to take a step again and we have to discover our id once more. … I’m not precisely certain what’s lacking.”
Goalkeeper Matt Turner stated, “Now we have to showcase that we’re getting higher.”
It should largely fall on USSF sporting director Matt Crocker to find out whether or not Berhalter is the proper man to steer that effort. The analysis course of is likely to be accomplished inside every week, folks accustomed to the method stated.
It was Crocker who, 13 months in the past and new to the job, stunned virtually everybody when he rehired Berhalter for a second time period — regardless of ugly off-field episodes within the wake of the 2022 World Cup. Berhalter’s contract runs by means of 2026; ought to the us hearth him, it could be on the hook for a hefty settlement.
When Berhalter was rehired, gamers have been effusive of their help. He had constructed a strong-knit group, invited dozens of latest gamers and launched high-pressure ways that yielded optimistic developments.
Even in defeat Monday — in what may need been Berhalter’s remaining recreation — the gamers continued to talk extremely of him.
“He supported us throughout robust occasions,” midfielder Tyler Adams stated, “and we are going to help him now as effectively.”
In addition they took duty for particular person errors that marred the match in opposition to Panama and, in an ominous afternoon two weeks earlier than Copa América, a 5-1 calamity in opposition to Colombia.
“Now we have all the religion” in Berhalter, defender Tim Ream stated. “It’s not simply on him; it’s on us as gamers as effectively.”
Attacker Gio Reyna, who clashed with Berhalter over taking part in time on the 2022 World Cup, stated: “The workers can solely accomplish that a lot. The gamers needed to take initiative on the sector. On the finish of the day, the gamers didn’t do sufficient.”
McKennie stated the gamers would “run by means of a brick wall for him.”
That’s all effectively and good, however with the World Cup creeping nearer, Crocker and the us should ask themselves: Is that this workforce enhancing? Copa América supplied an unequivocal reply.
