Gregg Berhalter has damaged the US Males’s Nationwide Crew (USMNT). If there was any doubt earlier than, it ought to all be gone now. Following the 2-1 loss to Panama within the Copa America, it’s clear that Berhalter’s time is up as coach of the nationwide staff.
A crowd of 59,145 was available Thursday night time at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta to observe a catastrophe unfold. In a sport the place virtually all the things went incorrect, it leaves the US’ probabilities of reaching the Copa America quarterfinal in peril.
An action-packed 90 minutes
The US had a aim disallowed early after which had Tim Weah despatched off for punching a Panamanian participant behind the pinnacle. However they took the lead after a superb strike from Falorin Balogun. That’s when the wheels fell off.
Panama retaliated minutes later and tied the sport. Then at halftime, Berhalter made three modifications. Most notable was the swap from Matt Turner in aim to Ethan Horvath, with the previous having been clobbered by a Panamanian attacker.
A back-and-forth second half ensued, which finally noticed Panama rating the winner with lower than ten minutes to play. On the final gasp, the US had an opportunity to tie after Panama had certainly one of their gamers despatched off for a foul on Christian Pulisic. However it was too little too late and Panama achieved a well-known win.
Placing Berhalter’s staff into perspective
US Soccer has been touting itself because the king of CONCACAF due to its success within the Nations League. However upon nearer examination, that notion is indifferent from actuality.
Not solely did the USMNT fail to win final summer time’s Gold Cup, they didn’t even make it to the ultimate. They fell to Panama within the semi-final on penalty kicks. Panama has became a nightmare opponent for the US. Within the final 4 conferences between the groups, Panama has received three of them.
It’s price noting that earlier than Berhalter’s appointment, the US had misplaced to Panama simply as soon as (within the 2011 Gold Cup). Panama beat the US in Panama Metropolis in 2021 throughout World Cup Qualifying. They eradicated the US from final summer time’s Gold Cup, and naturally, they beat the US Thursday night time in Atlanta throughout the Copa America.
For a supervisor who has acknowledged that the aim for this cycle is to “change American soccer ceaselessly,” Berhalter is making all of the incorrect strikes.
Berhalter’s future with this staff
After the sport, Berhalter was requested in regards to the refereeing. He declined to enter specifics after which bizarrely launched right into a dialogue about how his pregame focus for his staff was in regards to the referee as an alternative of Panama.
Within the post-match press convention, World Soccer Speak requested Berhalter if his job must be on the road after the defeat to Panama.
He replied, “That’s not for me to find out.”
Understand that if the US loses to Uruguay on Monday night time, it could imply that the staff will likely be eradicated within the group stage of a match the place it has been to the semi-finals twice in its final three appearances. A loss to Uruguay means the US must depend upon Bolivia to get a consequence in opposition to Panama.
Much more regarding is the truth that even when the US defeats Uruguay, the US could not advance. Each the US and Panama are tied on three factors. Nevertheless, the US presently has a greater aim distinction than Panama. All that would change on Monday night time relying on the outcomes from the Panama-Bolivia sport and, in fact, USA-Uruguay.
It’s essential to do not forget that underneath Berhalter’s management, the staff has did not notch a win over a prime 25 facet in FIFA’s rankings aside from Concacaf groups. Berhalter has now been in command of the staff for seven years. So getting a win in opposition to Uruguay on Monday night time will likely be historic for Berhalter if it occurs.
Berhalter’s time is up
Berhalter has damaged the USMNT and have to be fired earlier than he can do any extra harm to the staff. Since he was re-hired, he has posted a report of 7-5-1 (W-L-D). Gamers that play extremely nicely at top-flight European golf equipment, rapidly appear to be they’ve by no means performed soccer as soon as they get to nationwide staff camp.
Neither is the much-ballyhooed tradition within the locker room proving to be as robust as they’ve been telling the general public. Tim Weah’s crimson card was the second crimson card for violent conduct for a US participant of their final 5 aggressive fixtures after Sergino Dest was despatched off within the away leg in opposition to Trinidad & Tobago in November.
A person who by no means ought to have been employed, and who by no means ought to have been re-hired, is on the precipice of destroying the best probability the nation has at attaining unbelievable success at a World Cup match in 2026.
The World Cup is coming to North American shores in two years. Will US Soccer permit the coach who has damaged the USMNT to break the celebration for our nation?
Berhalter’s time is up because the chief of this squad. We’d like a coach who can get the perfect out of this staff. In any case, if we will’t get out of a Copa America group with Bolivia, Panama, and Uruguay, that will be a humiliation. Until the USA can advance to the quarterfinals on Monday night time, Berhalter must be fired.
Picture: IMAGO / Agencia-MexSport
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