Berhalter Stands Firm as USMNT Analyze Disappointing Copa America Performance
U.S. men's national team head coach Gregg Berhalter remains steadfast in his belief that he is the right man for the job, despite the team's underwhelming performance in the recent Copa America tournament. Berhalter, now in his fifth year at the helm, expressed his confidence and commitment to leading the squad forward even as the U.S. Soccer Federation announced a comprehensive review of the team’s performance.
Facing tough competition in Group C, the U.S. team managed just one win and finished third with three points. In a group dominated by Uruguay, who achieved a perfect nine-point tally, and Panama, who secured second place with six points, the Americans struggled to make an impact. A pivotal match saw Panama clinch a crucial 2-1 victory over the U.S., a result that significantly contributed to their group stage exit.
Reflecting on the defeat, Berhalter acknowledged the pain of missing out on a more favorable result. "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 explained. The team's efforts were further hampered by an early red card for Timothy Weah in the 18th minute of the match, leaving the U.S. to battle a man down for the majority of the game.
Despite these setbacks, Berhalter maintained a positive outlook on the overall performance of his squad. "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, reinforcing his belief in the team's potential.
Pointing to defensive strengths and the squad's capacity to generate scoring opportunities, Berhalter emphasized the importance of continuous improvement. "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 stated.
However, Berhalter was also candid about the areas needing enhancement. Discussing the Panama match in particular, he noted, "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." The coach's focus on the small margins that separate teams at this level underscores the competitive nature of international football and the need for meticulous attention to detail.
The review announced by the U.S. Soccer Federation will scrutinize various aspects of the team's performance, with the aim of identifying and addressing shortcomings. "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," Berhalter remarked, highlighting the importance of consistency and comprehensive evaluation.
As part of their Copa America campaign, the U.S. team featured several players who competed in the 2022 World Cup, alongside a notable contingent of veterans aged 30 and older. This blend of experience and youth underscores the squad's depth, an aspect Berhalter is keen to build upon. "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," he asserted. He remains optimistic about the program's future, despite the recent disappointment. "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 concluded.
With the upcoming review and a clear commitment to addressing areas of concern, the journey ahead for the U.S. men's national team, under Berhalter's guidance, promises to be one of evaluation and growth. "That's not up to me," he said when questioned about his future, but his confidence and determination indicate a coach ready to face the challenges ahead.