The U.S. males’s soccer staff simply endured a dismal efficiency in Copa América. With an opportunity to play at the very least three group video games at residence towards some top-flight competitors, and with a positive draw within the group stage, this was an opportunity for the USMNT to advance to the knockout spherical in what’s their solely main tuneup earlier than internet hosting the 2026 World Cup, together with Canada and Mexico
It went worse than you may need imagined.
Their run of group play bought off to a optimistic begin, with a 2-0 win over Bolivia that would have simply seen the USMNT add one other aim or two. However then the whole lot went downhill within the 18th minute towards Panama when Tim Weah punched an opponent and earned himself a purple card and a fast journey to the showers.
Whereas the US rebounded from that to take a 1-0 lead, Panama countered with two objectives handy the Individuals a brutal 2-1 loss.
Needing a win towards Uruguay to in some way hold their probabilities of advancing alive, the USMNT fought onerous, solely to come back up brief 1-0. Sure, there have been some calls and non-calls that went towards them, however having put themselves in a troublesome place with the loss to Panama, it was an uphill battle from the beginning.
Now the American soccer world is questioning what comes subsequent, and the American Outlaws — the most important group of supporters of American soccer — have made their emotions identified.
It’s time for Gregg Berhalter to go.
In a put up on social media to over 180,000 followers, the group referred to as for a brand new head coach within the run-up to the 2026 World Cup. “There must be accountability and a plan to maneuver ahead for the USMNT. It’s time to make a change within the head teaching place,” learn the assertion partly.
You possibly can view the total assertion right here:
As the biggest US Soccer supporter group, we take our function because the voice of followers significantly. With that accountability, we’ve got an obligation to verify we take our time, do the work, and get it proper.
We’re with you.@ussoccer should make a head teaching change. pic.twitter.com/cN0iedvgRB
— AO (@AmericanOutlaws) July 3, 2024
The Outlaws usually are not the one ones calling for a change, however in fact, American soccer won’t have many nice choices in the meanwhile. It was one thing of a shock that Berhalter was introduced again following the 2022 World Cup, not for the staff’s efficiency however a mix of historical past, and scandal. Whereas the USMNT put in a strong efficiency in Qatar — advancing out of Group B earlier than being eradicated by The Netherlands — second go-rounds haven’t normally been type to USMNT coaches following a primary run on the World Cup.
For instance, after a strong displaying in 2002 when Bruce Enviornment’s squad superior to the quarter-finals, the 2006 squad beneath his management was bounced within the group phases after two losses and a draw. Each Bob Bradley and Jürgen Klinsmann weren’t round for a second run.
Add within the scandal that emerged following the World Cup involving Berhalter and Claudio Reyna which was kicked off attributable to questions in regards to the coach’s utilization of Gio Reyna, and there have been official questions on the time whether or not Berhalter could be given one other alternative. As our buddies at Stars and Stripes FC wrote on the time:
Whereas Berhalter has had some success, the most important victories the staff can declare are wins towards Mexico within the Gold Cup and Nations League and attracts towards Mexico on the Azteca and England within the World Cup. This was removed from Berhalter’s aim to “change the best way the world seems to be at American soccer.” The gamers could like him, however the staff wants a supervisor who can attain the next degree.
The federation should not waste this scandal by as soon as once more enabling mediocrity and ignoring poisonous habits by having decision-makers who base their actions on allegiances to an previous boy community. Sadly, if historical past provides any indication to what the longer term could maintain, it’s extra possible that selections that favor networks and mediocrity relatively than advantage will proceed to information the US Soccer Federation.
Nonetheless, the US Soccer Federation went in a distinct route, bringing Berhalter again for this run. And different choices have been handed over reminiscent of Jesse Marsch, who was seen as maybe the “apparent” candidate to take over. Marsch then took the reins at Canada … and promptly guided that squad to the knockout spherical at Copa.
Whereas American soccer wonders what occurs kind right here.
At the least one group of supporters — and an influential one at that — has made their emotions fairly clear.
