The U.S. men's national team head coach, Gregg Berhalter, is standing firm in his belief that he remains the right individual to guide the squad, despite a disappointing outcome in their recent performance. The team was eliminated from the competition after securing just one win and finishing third in Group C, accumulating a mere three points.
In contrast, Uruguay dominated the group with a flawless record, amassing a perfect nine points. Panama, the runner-up in the group, clinched second place with six points, highlighted by a crucial 2-1 victory over the U.S. team. A significant moment in the match saw Timothy Weah receive a red card in just the 18th minute, putting the U.S. team at a disadvantage early on.
Berhalter's Reflection on the Loss
Reflecting on the critical loss to Panama, Berhalter acknowledged the team's shortcomings. "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 stated. He further elaborated on the tactical issues, saying, "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."
Despite the setback, Berhalter maintained a positive outlook on the overall effort and future potential of 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 said.
Assessment and Moving Forward
The U.S. Soccer Federation has announced that a comprehensive review will be conducted to analyze the team's performance throughout the tournament. Berhalter emphasized the importance of such evaluations, noting, "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 current disappointment, Berhalter highlighted the strengths of the squad. "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 expressed. Berhalter’s confidence in the team’s progress was clear as he discussed the depth and development of the squad. "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 added.
Experience and Roster Composition
Now in his fifth year as head coach, Berhalter has overseen the development of a roster that includes a notable cohort who competed in the 2022 World Cup. The current squad's composition includes three players who are 30 years old or older, adding a blend of experience to the team.
As the U.S. Soccer Federation prepares for its comprehensive review, Berhalter’s position reflects both his ownership of the recent shortcomings and his enduring optimism for the team's future. His belief that he remains the right fit for leading the team stands unshaken, as he succinctly put it when asked about his suitability for the role, "Yes."
As fans and analysts await the outcomes of the review, the focus remains on how the U.S. team can leverage their potential, improve upon their recent performances, and return stronger in future competitions. For now, Berhalter's narrative is one of resilience and a commitment to continuous improvement, a sentiment that underpins his tenure as head coach.