U.S. men’s national team head coach Gregg Berhalter is unwavering in his belief that he is the right individual to continue steering the squad forward. Despite a disappointing performance in the most recent tournament, Berhalter remains confident in his ability to lead.
Tournament Performance and Outcome
The U.S. men's team faced a challenging journey in their latest tournament outing. They concluded their campaign with a solitary win, securing three points and finishing third in Group C. By contrast, Uruguay dominated the group with a flawless record of nine points, while Panama clinched second place with six points.
A pivotal moment came when Panama narrowly defeated the U.S. with a 2-1 victory, a match that significantly influenced the group standings. Notably, Timothy Weah's red card in the 18th minute added to the squad’s woes in that crucial encounter.
Reflecting on the Defeat
Addressing the media, Berhalter expressed his disappointment but also found positives in the effort shown by his team. "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,” he remarked, underscoring the near-miss scenario that ultimately did not tilt in their favor.
He further analyzed the game against Panama, shedding light on the tactical adjustments needed. "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," Berhalter noted, highlighting areas of defensive concern.
Team Review and Forward Planning
In response to the overall tournament outcomes, the U.S. Soccer Federation has announced a comprehensive review to determine the factors behind the team's shortcomings. Berhalter echoed this sentiment, stating, "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."
Assessing Team Effort and Potential
Despite the setbacks, Berhalter praised the dedication and performance of his players. "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 acknowledged, underscoring the high standards required for consistent success.
Defensively, Berhalter believes the team holds significant potential. "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 proclaimed, placing emphasis on the progressive strides made under his tenure.
Experience and Squad Depth
Berhalter, now in his fifth year as head coach, has seen the squad evolve, aided by the experience gained in competitions such as the 2022 World Cup. The roster for the Copa America tournament featured a considerable number of these World Cup veterans. Moreover, the blend of youth and experience was further augmented by the inclusion of three players aged 30 and older, adding depth and leadership to the team.
Reflecting on the squad's depth and the broader implications of their recent performance, Berhalter commented, "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."
In the context of his ongoing role and future with the team, Berhalter's succinct response of "That's not up to me" finalizes the discourse, placing the decision-making in the hands of the U.S. Soccer Federation.
As the review process unfolds, the upcoming assessments and strategic plans will be crucial in shaping the path ahead for the U.S. men’s national team. Berhalter's conviction in his methods and the team’s potential will be tested as they seek to rebound and fortify their standing on the international stage.