U.S. men's national team head coach Gregg Berhalter has expressed steadfast confidence in his ability to lead the squad, even after a challenging run in a recent international tournament. Despite the team's struggles, Berhalter remains certain of his role, asserting, "Yes," when asked if he still sees himself as the right fit for the job.
Disappointing Group Stage Performance
The United States was eliminated from the competition after securing only one win and ultimately finished third in Group C with three points. Uruguay dominated the group, securing a perfect nine points, while Panama claimed the second spot with six points. A pivotal 2-1 victory for Panama over the U.S. significantly impacted the standings.
In the match against Panama, the U.S. team faced an uphill battle after Timothy Weah received a red card in the 18th minute, further complicating their efforts to advance. Reflecting on the loss, Berhalter acknowledged the sting of the defeat: "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's Tactical Reflections
Discussing the specific moments that led to their downfall, Berhalter pointed out tactical shortcomings, particularly in defensive strategies. "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. This candid assessment highlights Berhalter’s analytical approach to the game's critical moments.
With a comprehensive review announced by the U.S. Soccer Federation, Berhalter is prepared to dissect the tournament's outcomes in depth. He commented, "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."
Effort and Resilience
Despite the disappointing results, Berhalter praised the team's effort and work ethic. "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 remarked. His comments highlight the resilience and dedication of the squad, even under challenging circumstances.
Defensively, Berhalter asserts that the team displays strong capabilities. "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 emphasized.
Building for the Future
As the U.S. team looks ahead, Berhalter remains optimistic about the overall progress and future potential of the program. Reflecting on the depth and breadth of the squad, he noted, "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."
Berhalter's tenure as head coach, now in its fifth year, continues to be subject to scrutiny, especially in light of recent performances. Nevertheless, his commitment to advancing the team's capabilities remains unwavering. When asked about his future control over the situation, Berhalter succinctly responded, "That's not up to me."
The U.S. team’s Copa America roster featured a notable group of players who had previously competed in the 2022 World Cup, underscoring the squad's experience and potential. With a blend of seasoned veterans and younger talent, there is a foundation upon which to build for upcoming tournaments.
As the U.S. Soccer Federation embarks on its comprehensive review, all eyes will be on Berhalter and his ability to address the shortcomings while leveraging the strengths of a team aiming to reclaim its competitive edge on the international stage.