As the dust settles on the U.S. men's national team's exit from the recent tournament, head coach Gregg Berhalter hasn't shied away from the spotlight. Despite mounting criticism and a third-place finish in Group C, Berhalter firmly believes he's the right person for the job, indicating his unwavering confidence in leading the squad.
Stagnation Amid High Hopes
The U.S. team's performance left much to be desired, securing only one win and accumulating three points. Their prospects were grim compared to group toppers Uruguay, who sailed through with a perfect nine points, and Panama, who clinched second place with six points. The decisive blow came when the U.S. fell to Panama in a tight 2-1 match.
Berhalter reflected on this crucial defeat with a sense of frustration and introspection. "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 said. His analysis pinpointed defensive frailties, particularly in low block defending, as areas needing improvement.
Early Setbacks and Defensive Woes
Compounding their troubles, the team faced a significant setback in the match against Panama when Timothy Weah received a red card in the 18th minute. This early dismissal essentially put the U.S. on the back foot for the remainder of the game. The U.S. Soccer Federation has subsequently announced a comprehensive review of the tournament, a move that underscores the critical need to address foundational issues.
Assessment and Continuity
Berhalter, who is in his fifth year as head coach, acknowledged the small margins that often define tournament outcomes. "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," he remarked. This self-assessment aligns with his belief that the squad's depth and ability remain robust.
Despite the early exit, Berhalter maintained a positive outlook on the players' efforts and the team's defensive capabilities. "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," Berhalter emphasized, highlighting the consistency required for future success.
Experience and Evolution
The current roster included a significant number of players who competed in the 2022 World Cup, indicating experience isn't lacking. Moreover, three players aged 30 and older underscored the blend of youth and veteran presence, which Berhalter believes is vital for progression. "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 added.
Berhalter's conviction in the program's trajectory remained evident as he discussed squad depth and player development. "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 stated.
The Road Ahead
As Berhalter continues to command the sidelines, the forthcoming review by the U.S. Soccer Federation will play a crucial role in shaping the team's future direction. While Berhalter’s tenure is under scrutiny, he remains steadfast, confident that the squad's underlying potential will eventually yield the desired results. For now, the U.S. men's national team must reconcile their recent setbacks and look to rebuild with a renewed focus as they navigate the road ahead.