copaamerica-en : U.S. Soccer to Conduct 'Comprehensive Review' After Copa America Exit

Icaro
Game Recaps
03/07/2024 22h12

After the disappointment of the US Men's National Team (USMNT) in the recent Copa America tournament, questions have been raised regarding the future of head coach Gregg Berhalter. The team's underwhelming performance, culminating in their elimination, has led the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) to announce a thorough review process.

Expressing their dissatisfaction with the tournament outcome, the USSF acknowledged the need for improvement as they shift their focus towards the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Following the team's exit, Coach Berhalter admitted that the squad had more to offer but fell short on the big stage. Despite the setback, he affirmed his belief in his leadership abilities to guide the team forward.

Berhalter, having previously led the USMNT to the last 16 in the 2022 World Cup, saw his contract expire amid concerns over his interactions with winger Gio Reyna. Reports surfaced regarding Reyna's behavior during the World Cup, shedding light on discord within the team. Captain Christian Pulisic lamented the lack of quality in the tournament, emphasizing the team's need to regroup and redefine their identity moving forward.

Goalkeeper Matt Turner and defender Chris Richards backed Berhalter's approach, highlighting the team's fighting spirit and progress under his tutelage. Midfielder Weston McKennie echoed the sentiment, stressing the importance of the coach-player connection and expressing readiness to continue working with Berhalter if it aligns with the team's direction.

As the USMNT plans for upcoming friendlies in September, including matches against Canada and New Zealand, the focus remains on learning from past shortcomings and striving for improvement. Despite external criticisms and uncertainties surrounding the coaching staff, the team's dedication to progress and unity shines through, spotlighting a collective determination to push forward and evolve on the international stage.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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