Gregg Berhalter’s time is up as coach

Gregg Berhalter has damaged the US Males’s Nationwide Group (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 evening at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta to observe a catastrophe unfold. In a recreation the place nearly all the pieces went unsuitable, it leaves the USA’ probabilities of reaching the Copa America quarterfinal in peril.

An action-packed 90 minutes

The US had a objective disallowed early after which had Tim Weah despatched off for punching a Panamanian participant behind the top. However they took the lead after a wonderful 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 change from Matt Turner in objective 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 one among 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 gained three of them.

It’s value 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 evening in Atlanta throughout the Copa America.

For a supervisor who has acknowledged that the objective for this cycle is to “change American soccer ceaselessly,” Berhalter is making all of the unsuitable strikes.

Berhalter’s future with this staff

After the sport, Berhalter was requested concerning the refereeing. He declined to enter specifics after which bizarrely launched right into a dialogue about how his pregame focus for his staff was concerning the referee as a substitute of Panama.

Within the post-match press convention, World Soccer Discuss requested Berhalter if his job needs to be on the road after the defeat to Panama.

He replied, “That’s not for me to find out.”

Remember that if the USA loses to Uruguay on Monday evening, it could imply that the staff might 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 outcome in opposition to Panama.

Much more regarding is the truth that even when the USA defeats Uruguay, the US might not advance. Each the USA and Panama are tied on three factors. Nonetheless, the US at the moment has a greater objective distinction than Panama. All that might change on Monday evening relying on the outcomes from the Panama-Bolivia recreation and, in fact, USA-Uruguay.

It’s vital to do not forget that underneath Berhalter’s management, the staff has didn’t notch a win over a high 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 evening might 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 injury to the staff. Since he was re-hired, he has posted a file of 7-5-1 (W-L-D). Gamers that play extremely properly at top-flight European golf equipment, abruptly appear like 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 purple card was the second purple 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 enable the coach who has damaged the USMNT to smash the occasion for our nation?

Berhalter’s time is up because the chief of this squad. We’d like a coach who can get one of the best out of this staff. In spite of everything, if we are able to’t get out of a Copa America group with Bolivia, Panama, and Uruguay, that might be a humiliation. Until the USA can advance to the quarterfinals on Monday evening, Berhalter needs to be fired.

Photograph: IMAGO / Agencia-MexSport.