The post-mortem for the U.S. Men’s National Team's latest campaign is underway as head coach Gregg Berhalter continues to assert his position at the helm despite a challenging tournament outcome. The U.S. squad concluded their run with a disappointing third-place finish in Group C, tallying just one win and three points, trailing group leader Uruguay and second-placed Panama.
Berhalter's Confidence Unwavering
Gregg Berhalter, who is in his fifth year as head coach, remains steadfast in his belief that he is the right person for the job. When asked directly if he still felt fit for the role, he responded unequivocally, "Yes." His confidence stems from his assessment of the team’s capabilities and the progress made during his tenure.
"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," Berhalter emphasized.
A Tough Defeat
Panama’s 2-1 victory over the U.S. was a critical blow. A red card issued to Timothy Weah in the 18th minute exacerbated the team's challenges, leaving an already tense match further compromised. Berhalter reflected candidly on the game, "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 offered further analysis, noting particular defensive shortcomings. "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."
Comprehensive Review
In response to the disappointing performance, the U.S. Soccer Federation has announced an in-depth review of the entire tournament. Berhalter highlighted the necessity of this introspective process. "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."
Team Effort and Progress
Despite the setback, Berhalter remains positive about his squad's efforts and potential. "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 remarked.
Reflecting on the broader picture, Berhalter acknowledged the team's improvements and the depth of the squad, many of whom were part of the 2022 World Cup contingent. "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."
Looking Ahead
With Berhalter's tenure now into its fifth year, the road ahead is fraught with both challenges and opportunities. The presence of seasoned players, alongside emerging talent, underscores the squad’s potential and commitment to growth. The upcoming review and future fixtures will be crucial to forging a path forward.
"That's not up to me," Berhalter stated, indicating the decisions to be made by those higher up in the federation. Yet, his resolve and vision for the team’s future remain clear. As the national squad regroups and reviews, there is an undercurrent of resilience and an impetus to build on the foundations laid, however shaky they may seem after this tournament.