Berhalter Resolute Amid U.S. Men’s National Team Setback
U.S. Men's National Team head coach Gregg Berhalter remains resolute and confident in his position despite a disappointing exit from the Copa America. With his team securing only one victory and finishing third in Group C with three points, Berhalter's conviction in his role is unwavering.
The U.S. team's performance in the tournament saw them ousted early, a point of major contention among fans and analysts alike. Uruguay dominated Group C with a flawless nine points, followed by Panama, which amassed six points. In a crucial match, Panama defeated the U.S. with a 2-1 victory, amplifying the pressure on Berhalter and his squad.
Compounding the U.S. team's struggles, Timothy Weah's red card in the 18th minute against Panama left the team to fend off their opponents with ten men. This early setback proved costly, leading to an overwhelming challenge for the Americans to recover and turn the match in their favor.
Reflecting on the loss against Panama, Berhalter stated, "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."
Berhalter acknowledged the defensive lapses that contributed to their defeat. "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," he explained.
The U.S. Soccer Federation has announced a comprehensive review of the team's performance throughout the tournament. Berhalter remarked, "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 highlighted the effort and determination displayed by the team. "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.
Berhalter, now in his fifth year as head coach, reflected on the squad’s overall performance and the strides made during his tenure. "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 commented.
The team’s Copa America roster included a significant number of players who also represented the U.S. in the 2022 World Cup, a testament to the continuity and depth Berhalter has cultivated. The squad also featured experienced players aged 30 and older, adding valuable veteran presence to the lineup.
In addressing the future, Berhalter emphasized the need for ongoing development and improvement. "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 advocated.
While some may question Berhalter's suitability to continue at the helm, he remains unwaveringly focused on the future. When asked if he is the right person for the job, Berhalter simply responded, "Yes."