Gregg Berhalter is a controversial determine amongst followers of the USA males’s nationwide soccer crew, and the Copa America might be a tipping level for this system.
The USMNT suffered a disastrous loss Thursday when it fell to Panama, 2-1, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The end result saved the U.S. in second in Group C, however the facet’s future was neglected of its arms with it and Panama tied at three factors.
It units up a close to must-win matchup in opposition to Uruguay at Arrowhead Stadium on Monday within the group stage finale. La Celeste possible will high the group with six factors and a plus-7 aim differential, so it’s attainable they relaxation their stars. However Marcelo Bielsa has his facet enjoying at a excessive tempo and a excessive depth that also will make the matchup tough.
A win provides the USA probability to complete second within the group given its plus-1 aim differential and Panama’s minus-1 aim differential. A draw or loss means People will flip into Bolivia followers in its matchup in opposition to Panama on Monday.
Story continues under commercial
Berhalter took quite a lot of warmth for Thursday’s loss. The U.S. went all the way down to 10 males after Timothy Weah obtained a crimson card within the first 18 minutes of the sport. It was an inexcusable motion from the winger, and the USMNT ought to be recommended for combating by means of and creating higher possibilities with 1.08 anticipated targets in comparison with Panama’s 0.77. Regardless of that, key errors from the protection price the USMNT late.
Whereas the loss wasn’t fully on Berhalter, it was indicative of the USMNT below his tenure. The US misplaced within the Spherical of 16 to the Netherlands within the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and youth was cited as a difficulty but additionally a degree of optimism. It’s additionally change into a double-edged sword for the USMNT. Followers are excited in regards to the younger gamers who’ve excelled within the high six European leagues but the outcomes on the nationwide degree haven’t been constant.
The US finds itself enjoying all the way down to inferior competitors, which results in slender nail-biters when the USMNT ought to be at a degree the place it could possibly break down opponents constantly. No matter message Berhalter is sending to his gamers has not been obtained.
Extra Soccer
Alex Morgan Left Off United States Ladies’s Olympic Roster
2 Min Learn
Briana Scurry Highlights Evolving Development In Ladies’s Sports activities
2 Min Learn
That’s with one exception: Mexico. El Tri has not overwhelmed the USMNT since 2019. These outcomes embody two CONCACAF Nations League finals, a Gold Cup and World Cup qualifying. Berhalter earned enormous reward for constant outcomes in opposition to the USA’ high regional rival, however the USA failed to claim true dominance in CONCACAF; the final time the U.S. misplaced within the 2023 Gold Cup semifinal to Panama.
Story continues under commercial
Nationwide crew outcomes will be powerful to parse given you’re principally coping with friendlies, which doesn’t all the time provide a lot perception. You’re coping with small-sample sizes in tournaments, however it’s the place your bread have to be buttered.
The US Soccer Federation constantly has proven assist for Berhalter — his brother was USSF COO when he was employed, however he stepped down in 2023. It might be the identical regardless of the end result Monday. However a loss will actually make followers’ endurance with Berhalter even thinner, particularly since the USA can be one of many hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which suggests even fewer aggressive matches.
A win and development to the Copa America knockout rounds may save Berhalter’s job, however an elimination within the group stage ought to imply soul-searching for the federation to find out if Berhalter is the person for the job within the 2026 World Cup.
Ought to Berhlater be fired if the USMNT doesn’t make it previous the group stage within the Copa America? Hold forth within the feedback.
Story continues under commercial
