After getting knocked out of Copa America within the group stage following a 1-0 loss to Uruguay, america have change into the primary host nation to not advance to the knockout stage of Copa America, reaching a crossroads as a federation. Chants of “Fireplace Gregg” rang out at Arrowhead Stadium following the loss as persistence is operating out among the many fanbase following regression after the 2022 World Cup below supervisor Gregg Berhalter.
In his post-match press convention, Berhalter talked about that there shall be a assessment of the efficiency on the event and what wants to vary going ahead, however he additionally clarified it is not his resolution if he is round for the assessment. U.S. Soccer technical director Matt Crocker selected to re-hire Berhalter after his contract expired however now could be the time to decide on if he is the one that ought to handle this crew on the 2026 World Cup.
Expectations shall be by way of the roof for the USMNT taking part in in an anticipated World Cup on dwelling soil and taking a look at what Berhalter has accomplished as supervisor of the USMNT, he hasn’t confirmed that he needs to be the particular person to steer the crew on this event. When requested on the finish of the press convention if he is the one that ought to lead the crew transferring ahead, Berhater’s reply was easy stating, “Sure.”
However this is why it is time to transfer on:
Lack of assault when it issues
When pondering again to the most important USMNT outcome not too long ago, it was the 0-0 draw with England on the World Cup. The USMNT defended properly inflicting England to take pictures from poor positions however by doing that, the assault could not get into the sport. There’s a steadiness between attacking and defending when it is advisable to however below Berhalter, this crew has leaned into extremes.
The sport towards Uruguay was a match the place if america did not win and outdo Panama’s outcome, they might be knocked out. And so they proceeded to take eight pictures solely placing three on course. Uruguay have an excellent protection however the urgency wasn’t there. It’s important to go for it, and even when it signifies that you lose 4-1, there must be extra and below Berhalter they have not hit that gear. They’ve scored only one purpose within the final 226 minutes.
The crew is just too comfy
Matt Turner’s phrases following the match talking on Fox caught with me. When requested how he felt concerning the USMNT’s course after being eradicated from the event, Turner stated, “I see no situation with the course we’re headed.”
Not having aggressive matches earlier than the World Cup in 2026, Copa America was a important time for development inside this USMNT technology and so they didn’t advance previous Panama within the group. it that approach, if something, their stature inside Concacaf slipped, however a tenureed member of the crew nonetheless feels good concerning the course.
It is comprehensible {that a} participant might not need to throw others below the bus and Turner did take some accountability through the interview as properly, however the emotions of anger for not getting knocked out of the event weren’t there. The USMNT was once a crew that will get punched and punch again more durable and claw as onerous as they might till the match was accomplished, however this crew does not have that but. It is one thing which will come as they develop nevertheless it additionally wants a brand new supervisor to instill it.
Not sufficient has modified
Because the World Cup in 2022, the identical questions stay. America have not proven that they’ll defeat marquee groups who aren’t named Mexico and so they’ll have only a few video games remaining to try this now after falling in Copa America. After shedding to the Netherlands within the World Cup with basically the identical roster, the expectation was that gamers would study from that ache and do higher the following time round, and whereas they did in some methods towards Uruguay, this event left everybody wanting extra. If something, the USMNT regressed regardless of having gamers nearly solely taking part in their membership soccer overseas. It isn’t a expertise situation, it is a management situation.