U.S. men’s national team head coach Gregg Berhalter stands firmly behind his position despite a disappointing performance in the latest tournament, asserting his confidence in his ability to lead the squad forward. Berhalter stated, "Yes," when asked if he is still the right fit for the job, reflecting his unwavering belief in his coaching capabilities.
The U.S. team was ousted from the tournament with just one win, eventually finishing third in Group C with a mere three points. In what proved to be a fiercely competitive group, Uruguay emerged as the frontrunner with a flawless nine points, while Panama secured second place with six points. A 2-1 loss to Panama, compounded by an early red card for Timothy Weah in the 18th minute, was a crucial setback for the U.S.
Reflecting on the Panama match, Berhalter said, "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 highlighted specific issues, particularly with low block defending, that undermined their efforts in that game.
The U.S. Soccer Federation has announced a comprehensive review to analyze the team's performance throughout the tournament. Berhalter emphasized the importance of this process, 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."
Despite the setbacks, Berhalter remains positive about the squad’s potential. He praised the players' efforts, saying, "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 also defended the overall defensive strategy, noting, "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’s tenure as head coach has reached its fifth year, and the recent tournament included several players who competed in the 2022 World Cup. The squad also featured a trio of players aged 30 and older, underscoring a blend of experience and youth. Berhalter remarked on the squad’s depth and the progress made, stating, "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."
With the comprehensive review now pending, much attention will be focused on the findings and subsequent steps. Berhalter, however, remains determined and focused on the future. When asked about decisions regarding his position, he succinctly replied, "That's not up to me." His comments reflect a commitment to continuous improvement and a deep understanding of the game’s nuances and challenges.
The U.S. men's national team may have fallen short in this tournament, but the resolve to learn and advance remains strong. The forthcoming review will likely shed light on areas requiring enhancement while offering a roadmap for future successes. As the coaching staff and players regroup, their collective effort and drive will undoubtedly be pivotal in shaping the team's trajectory.