In a disappointing turn of events, the US men's national soccer team failed to make it out of the group stage in the Copa América tournament. The team's lackluster performance has raised questions about their ability to compete on the international stage and has led to calls for improvements ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The US Soccer Federation expressed immense disappointment in a statement issued shortly after the team's elimination. The federation acknowledged that their tournament performance fell short of expectations and vowed to conduct a comprehensive review of their Copa América performance to identify areas for improvement.

The responsibility of this failure primarily falls on Coach Gregg Berhalter, who was tasked with harnessing the young talent and guiding the team towards success. However, the team fell flat on their faces, failing to showcase the maturity and skill needed to advance in the competition.

The US team finished behind Uruguay and even Panama in the group stage, resulting in an early exit. While it was not expected for the US team to win the Copa América, their inability to progress beyond the group stage was a significant disappointment.

Despite a win against Bolivia, the US team struggled to find the back of the net, with only three goals in the entire tournament. They put up a commendable fight against a strong opponent in their final match, but ultimately lacked the edge necessary to secure a victory.

With the Copa América over for the US team, they will now return to playing regional competitions and periodic friendlies, starting with matches against Canada and New Zealand in September. Captain Christian Pulisic acknowledged that the team needs to find their identity again and called for improvement ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The evaluation process to determine Coach Berhalter's future will be conducted by USSF sporting director Matt Crocker. The decision is significant as Berhalter's contract runs through 2026, and a potential termination could result in a substantial settlement for the federation.

Despite the disappointing results, some players continue to express support for Berhalter, highlighting his key role in guiding and supporting the team. However, there are growing concerns about the team's overall improvement as the World Cup approaches.

The US men's national soccer team's performance in the Copa América has shed light on the need for changes and improvements within the team. As the countdown to the 2026 World Cup begins, the USSF and Crocker must carefully consider whether Berhalter is the right person to lead the team forward. The pressure is on to ensure that the team's performance improves and that the promising young roster lives up to its potential on the international stage.