Amidst a backdrop of mounting scrutiny and disappointment, U.S. men’s national team head coach Gregg Berhalter has reiterated his belief that he remains the right person to helm the squad. Despite a disheartening exit from their recent tournament, Berhalter has underscored the team's positives while acknowledging areas requiring improvement.
Tournament Performance
The U.S. men’s national team experienced a challenging run, securing just one win in Group C and finishing third with a modest three points. Uruguay showcased dominance in this stage, sweeping the group with nine points. Meanwhile, Panama claimed second place with a total of six points, and their pivotal 2-1 victory over the U.S. proved to be a crucial blow for Berhalter's side. This match additionally saw Timothy Weah receive a red card as early as the 18th minute, further complicating the U.S. team’s efforts.
Reflecting on the loss against Panama, 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." The head coach was candid about the defensive shortcomings, noting, "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."
Review and Reflection
In the wake of their exit, the U.S. Soccer Federation has announced that a comprehensive review will be conducted to better understand where the team fell short. Berhalter commented on the review process, emphasizing its importance, "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 setbacks, Berhalter defended the efforts and capabilities 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 asserted.
Looking Forward
As Berhalter continues into his fifth year as head coach, he's focusing on the positive aspects and progress made under his tenure. He highlighted the team's defensive strength and their tactical execution, "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."
This sentiment is bolstered by the squad's depth and the inclusion of experienced players, including a cadre who participated in the 2022 World Cup. Berhalter remains optimistic, advocating for continued development, "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."
Uncertain Future
While Berhalter is confident in his position, he is also aware of the decisions that lie ahead, tersely stating, "That's not up to me," when questioned about his future with the team. It’s clear that the review by the U.S. Soccer Federation will play a significant role in what comes next for both Berhalter and the national team.
As fans and analysts await the outcomes of the review, Berhalter’s assertion that the program is far from doomed will be put to the test. His ability to navigate the team through this period of reflection and reformation will be closely watched, as the U.S. men’s national team aims to regroup and forge ahead.