Berhalter Amidst Controversy: Reflecting on U.S. Men's National Team's Copa America Performance
Under the cloud of a disappointing exit from the Copa America, U.S. men's national team head coach Gregg Berhalter asserts his belief in his ability to guide the squad forward. Despite questions and criticisms following the team's performance, Berhalter remains convinced of his fit for the role. When asked directly if he is the right person for the job, Berhalter’s simple response was, "Yes."
The U.S. team’s campaign ended abruptly with only one win, leading to a third-place finish in Group C with a mere three points. The group was dominated by Uruguay, who advanced with a flawless nine-point record. Panama followed in second place with six points, marking a critical 2-1 victory over the U.S.
The match against Panama proved pivotal and controversial. Timothy Weah’s early red card in the 18th minute left the U.S. team in a vulnerable position for much of the game. Reflecting on the defeat, Berhalter admitted, "Obviously, the loss against Panama really hurt. I think when you talk about being, 80th minute, in a good position to get a draw and get something out of the game, we didn't get it." He elaborated on the tactical shortcomings, emphasizing, "When you look at that moment specifically, there's some issues there. I think in that game in particular, a low block defending, needed to improve in that moment."
Amidst the disappointment, the U.S. Soccer Federation has announced a comprehensive review of the Copa America performance, signaling a thorough assessment of the team’s strategies and outcomes. Berhalter acknowledged the necessity of this review, stating, "We're going to do a review of the whole tournament and see where we fell short. The margins are so small and there's very little separating any of these teams and you have to treat every game as the same."
Despite the early exit, Berhalter highlighted the effort and dedication displayed by his players. "When you see the effort tonight that we put in, it's incredible. The guys did a great job. They worked extremely hard, put in a great effort against a really good team but that needs to be the standard every time we step onto the field," he said.
Defensive resilience has been a cornerstone of Berhalter’s assessment of the team’s capabilities. "Defensively, we're a very good team. Most games, we have higher expected goals than the opponent. We create chances, we move the ball well. To me, the whole thing is, you want to keep moving the team forward and I feel like we have," he explained.
Berhalter, now in his fifth year as head coach, emphasized the depth and evolution of the squad. The Copa America roster featured several players with World Cup experience from 2022, alongside a significant presence of seasoned players aged 30 and older. "You think about the depth of the squad, the number of players that have played in games, so there's certainly improvement and we need to keep going. In my opinion, it's not something you say, 'Okay, this program's doomed.' It's not the case at all. It was a poor performance, we didn't get the results we expected and we need to get better," he remarked.
Although the review and potential changes lie in the hands of the U.S. Soccer Federation, Berhalter remains focused on progress and maintaining a forward trajectory for the national team. His parting sentiment, "That's not up to me," reflects his readiness to adapt and confront the insights that will emerge from the impending review. As the team looks ahead, the U.S. men's national team is tasked with addressing their shortcomings and building upon their strengths, under the watchful eye of a coach who continues to believe in their potential.