Berhalter Reflects on U.S. Men’s National Team Performance
Despite a disappointing campaign in the recent tournament, U.S. men's national team head coach Gregg Berhalter remains confident in his ability to lead the squad going forward. As the U.S. team exited the competition with only one win and a third place finish in Group C, Berhalter faces the challenge of addressing the squad's shortcomings and preparing for future competitions.
Panama's crucial 2-1 victory over the U.S., in which Timothy Weah received a red card in the 18th minute, underscored the team’s struggles. Reflecting on the match, Berhalter acknowledged the pain of the loss, stating, "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 tenure has seen both highs and lows, and he has been at the helm for five years now. The current squad includes a number of players who competed in the 2022 World Cup, showcasing the depth and experience within the team. "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," Berhalter remarked. "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."
Uruguay secured the top spot in Group C with a perfect nine points, followed by Panama with six points. The U.S. team’s third-place finish, with three points, marks a significant setback. Looking back at the tournament, Berhalter highlighted specific areas that required improvement, 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 commented.
Addressing questions about his suitability for the job, Berhalter expressed unwavering confidence. When asked if he is the right fit for the role, he simply replied, "Yes." He further elaborated on the team’s overall performance and strategy, emphasizing the need for consistency and effort. "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."
The U.S. Soccer Federation has announced a comprehensive review to evaluate the team’s performance. This introspection aims to identify the areas where the squad fell short and to implement the necessary changes. Berhalter is keen on using this review to bolster the team's future prospects, 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."
Analyzing the team's defensive capabilities, Berhalter noted that the U.S. team is generally strong in that department. "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." It is evident that while the squad possesses potential, translating that into consistent results remains a primary focus.
The tournament's disappointment is a call to action for both the coach and the players. Berhalter concluded by recognizing the need for continuous improvement and resilience. "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."
As the U.S. men's national team prepares for future challenges, the coming months will be critical in redefining strategies, strengthening squad cohesion, and ensuring that recent setbacks are transformed into growth opportunities. For Berhalter, the journey ahead is about overcoming adversity and steering the team toward its potential.