The US soccer Federation (USSF) will conduct a complete overview after a disappointing Copa America event on dwelling soil “fell wanting expectations”.
The U.S. males’s nationwide group beat Bolivia 2-0 in its opening recreation however then misplaced 2-1 towards Panama and have been crushed 1-0 by Uruguay when preventing to remain within the competitors.
That consequence, coupled with Panama defeating Bolivia, despatched them crashing out on the group stage.
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With the 2026 World Cup within the U.S., Canada and Mexico simply two years away, coach Gregg Berhalter’s place as head coach is now below appreciable strain.
A press release from USSF learn: “Our event efficiency fell wanting our expectations. We should do higher.
“We might be conducting a complete overview of our efficiency in Copa America and the way finest to enhance the group and outcomes as we glance in the direction of the 2026 World Cup.”
After his aspect’s elimination, Berhalter mentioned: “We all know we’re able to extra and on this event we didn’t present it, it’s so simple as that. We take a look at the stage with the followers and the excessive stage of competitors and we should always have finished higher. We’ll do a overview and determine what went unsuitable however it’s an empty feeling for now for positive.”
Requested by The Athletic if he nonetheless believes he’s the appropriate man and voice to guide the group, Berhalter replied: “Sure.”
Berhalter, 50, led the USMNT to the final 16 of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar however his contract was allowed to run out on the finish of that yr, partially owing to his interactions with winger Gio Reyna.
Reyna was practically despatched dwelling from the World Cup on account of his conduct after being knowledgeable he wouldn’t be a starter for the U.S. group within the opening recreation towards Wales. Reyna’s lack of effort in subsequent coaching classes practically led to his dismissal from the group, however Berhalter opted to maintain Reyna in Qatar.
Berhalter and Reyna’s relationship was explored within the post-World Cup overview (Ercin Erturk/Anadolu Company through Getty Pictures)
After the event, the coach spoke about these points with out naming Reyna throughout the Q&A portion of a management convention that was working below Chatham Home guidelines, which usually meant any No Feedback have been off the document. These No Feedback have been revealed, nevertheless, and The Athletic reported that Reyna was the player about whom Berhalter spoke.
After these tales, Reyna’s dad and mom — former U.S. nationwide players Claudio and Danielle Reyna, longtime pals of Berhalter and his spouse, Rosalind Berhalter — reported to former U.S. Soccer sporting director Earnie Stewart an incident in 1992 by which Berhalter kicked Rosalind throughout an argument when the 2 have been freshmen on the College of North Carolina.
That prompted a U.S. Soccer investigation which ultimately discovered Berhalter was cleared to be re-hired.
Captain Christian Pulisic, who scored within the opening win over Bolivia however couldn’t assist in the 2 blunt performances that adopted, was left ruing not discovering a “answer” within the remaining third towards Uruguay.
“We had a superb begin and introduced numerous vitality, however on the finish of the day simply not sufficient high quality,” Pulisic mentioned. “I felt like we gave it the whole lot, however we simply couldn’t discover the answer to attain.”
Requested the place the group go from right here, he mentioned: “It’s about getting some relaxation, regrouping and discovering an id once more.”
Pulisic couldn’t assist the USMNT advance (Michael Reaves/Getty Pictures)
Goalkeeper Matt Turner backed Berhalter and the present workers to get issues proper.
“I see no concern with the path we’re heading,” Turner mentioned. “When you will have a combat like that on the pitch in each single recreation we’re in on this event, it speaks volumes to how the supervisor prepares us.”
Defender Chris Richards, chatting with The Athletic, too believes progress is being made.
“Each recreation is step ahead whatever the consequence. You may be taught lots from each recreation,” he mentioned. “I feel folks like to present us numerous criticism due to who we’re and we take that and we preserve transferring.
“We strive to not hear an excessive amount of to exterior noise. They will say what they need, however each recreation, each coaching is a step ahead whatever the consequence.”
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Midfielder Weston McKennie is open-minded about subsequent steps however can be glad to proceed taking part in for Berhalter if that’s the path that’s determined.
“I consider all of us have a consolation with Gregg and all of us perceive him and we’ve had him for a very long time,” he instructed The Athletic. “He’s progressed the group very removed from the place we began off 4 or 5 years in the past.
“I feel the connection that we’ve got with him is what’s vital, in having a coach that gamers that may run by a brick wall for him, gamers that hearken to him. And so I feel no matter occurs, occurs, however I feel if he’s the coach, we’re all glad, stand up, mud off, be taught and preserve transferring ahead. That’s the one factor you are able to do now.
“You may’t actually attempt to stay prior to now, not assume too far sooner or later, simply making an attempt to be within the current and enhance little by little and see the place it takes us.”
The USMNT are subsequent scheduled to be in motion in September for a pair of friendlies, towards Canada in Kansas Metropolis on September 7 earlier than assembly New Zealand in Cincinnati three days later.
(High photograph: John Dorton/ISI Photographs/USSF/Getty Pictures for USSF)
